With Turkmenistan’s maiden Caspian Economic Forum now over, the spin has begun.

According to UN statistics, there may be up to 87,000 stateless people in Uzbekistan. Many are ethnic Uzbeks who fled Tajikistan’s civil war in the early 1990s.

Garik Arakelov was a sports celebrity in Uzbekistan. Now he’s a plumber in New York, nurturing his son’s own sporting career.

Though Marseille has long hosted a diaspora, recent arrivals have invigorated the community.

Rayimbek Matraimov, a.k.a. Rayim Million, has also waded into the public and dramatic political story now roiling Kyrgyzstan.

The inaugural Caspian Economic Forum, which was held in the hyper-developed but under-visited Awaza tourist zone, was high on expressions of intent but low on firm outcomes.

Press freedom campaigners say that Kazakhstan’s reporting environment has “drastically turned to the worse” since the new president came to power.

The Pentagon program would give more than $100 million to help Baku improve its maritime security against threats from Tehran.

Observers worry the political crisis sparked by this standoff will come at a cost to long-term stability and prosperity.

After the failed raid, the former president emerged to meet his jubilant supporters. Another raid may be imminent.