Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan: Trade with China bounces back after corona-slump The news is welcome with the countries about the feel the full knock-on impact of sanctions against Russia. Joanna Lillis Mar 8, 2022
Uzbekistan, Pakistan unite for Afghanistan sanctions relief Both are seeking to get ambitious transportation projects off the ground. Joanna Lillis Mar 7, 2022
Ukraine war inspires rival passions in Central Asia There is no reliable polling on views of the war, but there are plenty of supporters of Russia as well as opponents. Joanna Lillis, Ayzirek Imanaliyeva Mar 7, 2022
China’s “Uber Slayer” leaves Kazakhstan, licking its wounds DiDi entered the Central Asian country last May amid hype it would kill off the competition. Joanna Lillis Mar 4, 2022
Uzbekistan: Forced labor falls as Tashkent cleans up its cotton act State-controlled wages for pickers have risen and penalties for coercion have been toughened. Joanna Lillis Mar 2, 2022
Uzbekistan: US to lend helping hand in shale gas exploration The government sees fracking as a solution to realizing its ambitious vision for the gas industry. Joanna Lillis Feb 25, 2022
Kazakhstan woos investors as president pursues economic reboot Air Astana and KazMunaiGaz are to be listed after a long delay. Joanna Lillis Feb 23, 2022
Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan: Billions vanish into black hole on border with China A Kyrgyz outlet says $60 billion of goods may have been smuggled into the country from China over a 20-year period. Joanna Lillis Feb 17, 2022
Uzbekistan: Automobile industry hits a bumpy road UzAuto Motors has blamed delivery delays on supply chain disruptions. Joanna Lillis Feb 16, 2022
Kazakhstan: After civil unrest, industrial unrest spikes Workers across Kazakhstan are calling strikes, impatient for the better conditions the president promised after widespread unrest last month. Joanna Lillis Feb 7, 2022
Kazakhstan: Almaty protest calling for mayoral elections draws small crowd The demonstration, which city hall allowed, passed peacefully. Joanna Lillis Feb 5, 2022
Kazakhstan pledges to probe proliferating claims of human rights abuses The president has rejected calls for an international investigation into the unrest last month. Joanna Lillis, Almaz Kumenov Feb 3, 2022
Kazakhstan promises to smash smuggling rings on Chinese border The corruption has long been common knowledge. Joanna Lillis Feb 2, 2022
Kazakhstan shakes down oligarchs to fund social services The president has promised a new social fund will step in where the state has failed, but already there are questions about transparency. Joanna Lillis Jan 24, 2022
Kazakhstan: Inside the ruins of Almaty city hall Eurasianet gained entry to the charred building on January 14. Joanna Lillis Jan 14, 2022
Kazakhstan: Masimov’s downfall, from the corridors of power to a jail cell Masimov has been arrested on charges of treason only days after being fired. Joanna Lillis Jan 8, 2022
Kazakhstan: Ex-security services chief and Nazarbayev ally arrested Masimov faces charges of treason. Joanna Lillis Jan 8, 2022
Kazakhstan: Shoot to kill protesters, orders tough-talking Tokayev The president has doubled down on his claims that terrorists with foreign backing are behind the protests, which began this week over fuel prices then snowballed. Joanna Lillis Jan 7, 2022
Kazakhstan explainer: Who’s in, who’s out as Tokayev tries to take back control? President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has cast aside the former strongman and his loyalists as he shores up his own position against domestic rivals. Joanna Lillis Jan 6, 2022
Kazakhstan explainer: Why did fuel prices spike, bringing protesters out onto the streets? The rallies have now broadened to encompass more political demands. Almaz Kumenov, Joanna Lillis Jan 4, 2022
Kazakhstan: Gas price hike fuels Zhanaozen protests Demonstrations spread to cities all across the country. Joanna Lillis Jan 3, 2022
Uzbekistan: Female tech entrepreneur cuts out the middleman Her social media bot promises to help Uzbek farmers get their goods to market while increasing their profit margins. Joanna Lillis Dec 13, 2021
Kazakhstan’s longest-serving political prisoner dies Aron Atabek died weeks after being released in failing health. Joanna Lillis Nov 24, 2021
Uzbekistan undermines reformist credentials with ban on foreign journalist The day before, the president promised accountability for officials who interfere with media freedoms. Joanna Lillis Nov 8, 2021
Uzbek president pledges constitutional reform Under a new constitution, Shavkat Mirziyoyev could argue that he is eligible to run again in future elections. It's worked before. Joanna Lillis Nov 7, 2021