Uzbekistan: Second Karakalpakstan trial nears end amid general indifference Fully 39 people are on trial. Prosecutors are asking for prison sentences of up to 12 years. Mar 6, 2023
Kyrgyzstan: Success of HPV vaccination drive clouded by antivax sentiment Seventy percent of girls aged 11 to 14 have been vaccinated against Human Papillomavirus. Ayzirek Imanaliyeva Mar 6, 2023
Uzbekistan making final adjustments to accommodate Russian gas imports Deliveries had reportedly been expected to start March 1, but that deadline has come and gone. Mar 3, 2023
Kazakhstan: Wary media see peril in government attempt to combat fake news While the government insists it is trying to stop the spread of disinformation, press freedom advocates see a familiar attempt to control the message. Almaz Kumenov Mar 3, 2023
Uzbekistan: TikTok parody sparks indignation of prim officials The teen creators of the video have got the backing of at least one senior official though. Mar 2, 2023
Blinken strikes reassuring tone in dialogue with Central Asian partners Washington provided $25 million over the fiscal year 2022 to help Central Asia diversify trade routes and expand investment. Mar 2, 2023
Perspectives | China wants the Line D pipeline. Can Central Asia deliver? Beijing is leaning toward buying additional Central Asian gas, despite reliability concerns. Joe Webster Feb 28, 2023
Kazakhstan splurges to get Astana light rail back on track Though years behind schedule and stinking of corruption, the government wants to proceed with the Chinese-linked project. Joanna Lillis Feb 28, 2023
Turkmenistan: Tying the knot The teetering edifice of megalomania built around the Berdymukhamedov family should make it obvious how Turkmenistan is governed. Our weekly briefing. Akhal-Teke: A Turkmenistan Bulletin Feb 28, 2023
Uzbekistan takes another go at constitution overhaul Mirziyoyev says he wants a more person-centered constitution, but critics wonder who that person is. Feb 27, 2023
EurasiaChat: A year of de-Russification in Central Asia Plus: Rising gender-based violence in Kyrgyzstan Aigerim Toleukhanova, Alisher Khamidov Feb 27, 2023
Kazakhstan: Officials vow no repeat to gas shortages, but warn exports and excess use must stop The expectation is that gas consumption will soar to 40 billion cubic meters by 2030. Feb 24, 2023
Tajiks skeptical about government earthquake plans Authorities have responded to public fears by forming a committee to oversee existing committees. Sher Khashimov Feb 23, 2023
Kazakhstan: Army upgrades drone readiness against backdrop of Ukraine war Defense officials say more attention is also being paid to optimizing artillery capabilities. Feb 23, 2023
Kyrgyzstan: Dozens more children, women repatriated from Syrian camps Attention will now turn to the delicate process of enabling children to readapt to normal civilian life. Nurbek Bekmurzaev Feb 23, 2023
Fueling energy woes, Uzbekistan sees drop in gas output Production is falling as demand increases, forcing Uzbekistan to look to Russia for energy supplies. Joanna Lillis Feb 22, 2023
Kyrgyzstan: Surprise ex-presidents meeting in Dubai keeps public guessing The president’s decision to convene a meeting with all his predecessors has divided Kyrgyz public opinion. He calls it a unifying gesture. Critics see disrespectful populism. Ayzirek Imanaliyeva Feb 22, 2023
Uzbekistan: Lingerie shop shamed by conservative activist The activist ended up being hoist by his own petard when he was fined for disseminating religious material without permission. Feb 21, 2023
Uzbekistan: Trio arrested for trying to sell mercury, radioactive materials for $1M Police routinely catch people trying to sell mercury on the black market. Feb 18, 2023
Kazakhstan seeks return of Nazarbayev-linked bank from London It appears to be yet another salvo against the disgraced former president. Joanna Lillis Feb 16, 2023
Tajikistan: Avalanche claims 13 lives, president extends condolences Rahmon rarely acknowledges major disasters, but he may feel the need to paper over fraught relations with the Pamiris. Feb 16, 2023
Uzbekistan resumes operations on Afghanistan railroad after dispute Afghanistan receives about half its imports on a single track from Uzbekistan. Joanna Lillis Feb 15, 2023
Kyrgyzstan: Court rules to allow imprisoned former president to leave country Atambayev is poised to travel to Spain for medical treatment. He insists he will return. Ayzirek Imanaliyeva Feb 14, 2023
Uzbekistan draft law addresses sextortion Young people are falling prey to new scams that their parents’ generation could never have imagined. Niginakhon Saida Feb 14, 2023
Uzbekistan officials summon loyal bloggers to quash critical investigation Local media have ignored a report by RFE/RL's Uzbek service about shady goings-on in the oil and gas sector. Feb 14, 2023