Central Asia | Eurasianet

Kyrgyzstan: Community, deprivation, passion and joy in the holy month of Ramadan

A look back at how Osh celebrated the Islamic holy month, which ended with 13,000 men praying on the city's main square this morning.

Danil Usmanov May 2, 2022

Kyrgyzstan: Feminist activist loses legal bid for children to take her name

Kapalova says the authorities are interested only in "upholding the patriarchy."

Ayzirek Imanaliyeva Apr 29, 2022

Ancient Central Asia key to domesticated chicken spread – study

The bird’s cultural significance may have aided its rapid dispersal.

Eshel Rosen Apr 29, 2022

Kyrgyzstan: Desperate homebuyers fall prey to speculative cooperatives

Fraudsters preying on rural migrants seem to be operating in a legal vacuum.

Bakyt Ibraimov Apr 28, 2022

Tigran Keosayan during his threatening YouTube tirade.

Kazakhstan pushes back at threats of prominent Russian propagandist

Tigran Keosayan warned Kazakhstan might meet Ukraine's fate for cancelling Victory Day parades.

Almaz Kumenov Apr 28, 2022

Tajik Defense Minister Sherali Mirzo, the central figure in the middle with the moustache, posing for a photo with Turkish military officials, representatives from Baykar, the Istanbul-based defense manufacturer, and others in front of a Bayraktar drone. (Photo: Turkish Embassy in Tajikistan)

Kyrgyzstan alarmed by Tajikistan’s reported purchase of Bayraktar drones

Kyrgyzstan had hoped its own acquisition of the same drones last year would give it a strategic edge over Tajikistan.

Kamila Ibragimova Apr 28, 2022

New furniture for a new Kazakhstan: Tokayev says he wants to see more competition among a broader array of political parties. (Photo: Amanat website)

Kazakhstan: Political party reshuffle hints at the arrival of a new order

Tokayev says he wants to see more competition, but he clearly wants his former Amanat party to be first among equals.

Almaz Kumenov Apr 27, 2022

Antique firearms said to have been stolen from a museum in Khiva. (Photo: Government handout)

Uzbekistan: $355m in artifacts stolen over three decades

Around 3,000 items of unique cultural value may have been stolen from 14 museums.

Apr 27, 2022

The iconic bike has a loyal fanbase (kremlin.ru)

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

Tajikistan: Forced military conscription and the road to tragedy

One unwilling recruit was turned into an example, another an ICU patient.

Apr 27, 2022

Kyrgyzstan: President puts thumb on scales in criminal case of investigative reporter

Temirov says the charges against him are "absurd" and politically motivated.

Ayzirek Imanaliyeva Apr 26, 2022

Melebash, right, the palomino stallion that won this week's horse beauty contest, with his trainer, Begli Jurayev. To the left is the Lexus SUV that they won. (Photo: Turkmenistan government website)

Turkmenistan: No COVID, no worries

In our weekly briefing: Restrictions easing, COVID denialism persists, foreign suitors come visiting in hope of business, and the latest annual horse jamboree.

Akhal-Teke: A Turkmenistan Bulletin Apr 26, 2022

Oh buoy: The mooring device used to load oil on tankers at Novorossiysk terminal. (Photo: CPC)

Kazakhstan: CPC pipeline resumes working after a month of inactivity

Repairs took place a few days after Kazakh officials met with CPC management in Moscow.

Almaz Kumenov Apr 25, 2022

Militant propaganda is singling out the Uzbek government for particular venom.

Perspectives | ISKP’s Uzbekistan-directed attack bolsters rhetoric with deeds

The militant group may be plotting to undermine faith in the Taliban's ability to secure the country's borders.

Lucas Webber, Riccardo Valle Apr 25, 2022

The letter of the unlawful: Vintazh costumes caused an outcry on social media.

Kyrgyzstan: Security services say no to Moscow’s Z

The letter signifies support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which is inflaming passions in Bishkek.

Chris Rickleton Apr 22, 2022

Still working? Nope: Alfa-Bank will be rebranded as CenterCredit after the takeover is completed.

Sanctioned Russian banks seeking way out of Kazakhstan

Alfa-Bank Kazakhstan has been fully bought out by Kazakh peer CenterCredit.

Almaz Kumenov Apr 21, 2022

Kyrgyzstan: Japarov the builder

The president’s new office complex will not, he insists, cost the state a penny.

Ayzirek Imanaliyeva Apr 21, 2022

Kyrgyzstan struggles to sell pension reform as austerity looms

Workers may lose the right to earn and draw pensions at the same time.

Aigerim Turgunbaeva Apr 20, 2022

Kyrgyzstan: Preparing in fear for the next border flare-up

Kyrgyz villagers on the border with Tajikistan are growing accustomed to regular shoot-outs, and not expecting help from their government.

Danil Usmanov Apr 20, 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

Perspectives | Facing food crisis, Tajikistan returns to Washington with begging bowl

Dushanbe is dependent on Russia and indebted to China. Will the IMF come to the rescue?

Maximilian Hess Apr 19, 2022

Turkmenistan: Respect your elders

Turkmenistan's new president is continuing his father's traditions: Building white elephants, censoring the internet, and booting people out of their homes.

Akhal-Teke: A Turkmenistan Bulletin Apr 19, 2022

Images disseminated by ISKP social media claiming to show the moment of the rocket launch.

Uzbekistan pours scorn on claims of ISKP attack

The militant movement claims to have fired rockets from Afghanistan at a military unit near Termez.

Apr 19, 2022

Japarov insists measures are in place to prevent corruption. (Photo: Presidential administration)

Kyrgyzstan poised to hide public procurement information

Backers of the move say it will cut down on bureaucracy.

Apr 18, 2022

Uzbekistan: Orphanages disbanded under the state’s watchful eye

The president has appointed the National Guard as a “spiritual protector” of orphans.