Eurasianet

Ali Hasanov was part of the old elite that has been systematically sidelined over the past two years in favor of officials associated with the president's wife.

What do these three things have in common: a Kyrgyz gold mine, a Malaysian Ponzi scheme, and canned camel milk? If you said the Belt and Road Initiative, Beijing wants a word with you.

The government has given itself little room for compromise by grouping the Islamic State and ordinary opposition parties.

Saudis step up, awkward timing with Iran, and you won’t want to fly Turkmenistan Airlines after reading this.

Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia have varying relationships with the two feuding countries, but all have something to lose if the conflict turns hot.

Stories of untrammeled graft have spurred action – against the journalists investigating and activists calling for change, not the alleged criminals.

Last year Uzbekistan lifted a ban on individuals prospecting for gold. In a remote corner of Navoi province, locals and Chinese have not wasted time getting into business.

Turkmenistan is now in the unenviable position of abutting two global hotspots. This and more in our weekly Turkmenistan briefing.

Despite controversies about how a Russian company runs Armenia’s rail system, the two sides appear committed to making the relationship work.

Flirting with Uzbekistan, reconciling with Armenia and guarding Turkmenistan: This and more in our monthly Russian business briefing.