As Russian economy sputters, UK lures Central Asian labor migrants More than 7,000 Kyrgyz nationals applied for seasonal farming jobs in Britain. Joanna Lillis Jun 15, 2022
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan spar over trade on China gateway Can customs data from either side be trusted? Joanna Lillis Jun 13, 2022
China hectors Central Asia to steer clear of big power politics Foreign Minister Wang Yi used a visit to Central Asia to talk about the United States. But his counterparts wanted to talk business. Joanna Lillis Jun 8, 2022
Who’s who in “New Kazakhstan” politics So far the government is considering registration bids only from parties run by familiar faces. Joanna Lillis Jun 7, 2022
Kazakhstan rebrands its oil to avoid Russian sanctions contagion Around 96 percent of Kazakh crude exports passed through Russia last year. Joanna Lillis Jun 6, 2022
Uzbekistan sees bread prices skyrocket Tashkent is seeking to boost domestic flour production at a delicate time, with the war in Ukraine garbling food supply chains. Joanna Lillis Jun 2, 2022
Uzbekistan: China comes bearing gifts Will a railway connecting the two countries via Kyrgyzstan ever happen? Joanna Lillis May 25, 2022
Uzbekistan resumes gas exports to China Tashkent is reducing subsidies and phasing out exports to meet rising domestic demand. Joanna Lillis May 23, 2022
Afghanistan in hock to Uzbekistan and Tajikistan for electricity An Afghan official blames the Ukraine war for choking the banking system in Central Asia, but the fact remains the Taliban regime is broke. Joanna Lillis May 19, 2022
Amid sanctions, Kazakh firm stops supplying Russian steelworks Kazakh companies are treading carefully doing business with Russia. Joanna Lillis May 18, 2022
In Turkey, Kazakhstan’s president talks trade and China transport The two presidents agreed to boost a transport corridor that bypasses Russia. Joanna Lillis May 11, 2022
Uzbekistan denies Russian claim it violated Afghanistan’s airspace Tashkent has also announced it will not return Afghan aircraft flown by pilots fleeing the Taliban last summer. Joanna Lillis May 2, 2022
Will landlocked Kazakhstan prove a lure for Russian beach bums? Kazakhstan is set to become the new Turkey, according to enthusiastic sales pitches from Russian travel agencies. Joanna Lillis May 2, 2022
Kazakhstan welcomes Russian motorcycle maker as sanctions bite The company is not sanctioned but struggled in Russia’s foundering economy. Joanna Lillis Apr 27, 2022
Uzbekistan: Claims of cronyism dog business climate Apparent conflicts of interest clash with Tashkent’s professed commitment to transparency. Joanna Lillis Apr 20, 2022
Shot, tortured, facing jail: Can Kazakhstan deliver justice after Bloody January? Over 1,000 people are awaiting trial related to the unrest. Many were simply onlookers injured in the crossfire. They are now navigating a criminal justice system weighted firmly against them. Joanna Lillis Apr 15, 2022
Kazakhstan: Nazarbayev’s arrested nephew “gifts” telecoms stake to the state Kairat Satybaldy is facing charges that he embezzled money from Kazakhtelecom. Joanna Lillis Apr 12, 2022
Uzbekistan hails Taliban ban on poppy cultivation in Afghanistan Uzbekistan is eager for a success story on its southern border that could facilitate new trade routes. Joanna Lillis Apr 11, 2022
Russians flock to Central Asia to open sanctions-busting bank accounts Some 10,000 Russian citizens have received personal identification numbers in Kazakhstan since Russia invaded Ukraine. Joanna Lillis Apr 8, 2022
Uzbekistan: Nuclear deal with Russia still on the table despite sanctions Even if Rosatom is not targeted by sanctions, its future projects could still be affected. Joanna Lillis Apr 6, 2022
Kyrgyzstan’s gold mine grab near completion as investor bows out President Japarov pledges that his country is still open for business to foreign investors. Joanna Lillis Apr 4, 2022
Don’t forget Afghanistan, pleads Uzbekistan, as Ukraine war rages Russia used the meeting in China to emphasize its importance in Central Asia. Joanna Lillis Apr 1, 2022
Uzbekistan puts up ‘for sale’ sign amid chill of Ukraine war Tashkent is selling its "crown jewels," but Russia's war in Ukraine is dampening the mood. Joanna Lillis Mar 25, 2022
Kazakhstan: Bolat Nazarbayev named and shamed over bitcoin mining Authorities are expanding their bitcoin crackdown to include powerful figures close to the old regime. Joanna Lillis Mar 15, 2022
Sanctions-hit Russian oligarch quits Uzbek bank, but associates snap up stakes The billionaire had bought his stake only months ago from the president’s son-in-law. Joanna Lillis Mar 14, 2022