Free speech risky as China keeps close tabs on its overseas students Chinese students abroad say they are under constant surveillance from their peers. Nazpari Sotoudeh and Erica Stefano Sep 29, 2021
Quantifying the Caucasus’ gains from BRI trade Two new papers find that Georgia and Azerbaijan would gain more from improving trade with their neighbors than pursing a place on the Belt and Road. Sep 27, 2021
China’s footprint in Georgia causes anxiety Beijing’s influence is expanding in Georgia’s education sector, as Chinese businesses put down roots. Nino Bakradze Sep 23, 2021
Turkmenistan: Time for a change? Ashgabat has pursued a notably distinct line in its engagements with the Taliban. Our weekly Turkmenistan briefing. Akhal-Teke: A Turkmenistan Bulletin Sep 21, 2021
CSTO, SCO summits presage policy of wary tolerance of Taliban regime in Afghanistan Uzbekistan has pushed the case for dialogue with the new rulers in Kabul. Sep 17, 2021
Chinese geneticists link Kyrgyz to Pakistanis, while raising thorny ethical questions The DNA was collected in western China’s police state, Xinjiang. Could the subjects have said no without fearing retribution? David Trilling Sep 13, 2021
Kazakhstan bars entry to Xinjiang repression researcher Bunin has also been banned from entering Uzbekistan. Sep 6, 2021
Perspectives | Taliban’s triumph threatens Beijing’s Eurasia plans Afghanistan will test China’s vision for itself. Srdjan Uljevic Aug 25, 2021
Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan experiment with vaccines amid lack of public confidence Central Asia’s largest nations are using unique coronavirus vaccines that haven’t been carefully studied. Do they have a choice? Aug 16, 2021
Analysis | Iran-China pact not a cure-all for Tehran’s economic woes Beneath the veneer of optimism in Iran, there is suspicion about China’s reliability as a partner. An Iranian journalist Jul 29, 2021
Climate change is shortening Central Asia’s growing season – study It’s bad news for plans to expand farming, but even worse for herders. Jul 27, 2021
Will Kazakhstan reap fruits of China’s crypto crackdown? The energy-intensive cryptomining process is a source of growing environmental concern. Chris Rickleton Jul 8, 2021
Georgia: The discreet inevitability of Chinese vaccines A few months ago, the thought of taking a Chinese COVID vaccine was unthinkable to Georgians. Now it’s the norm. Giorgi Lomsadze Jul 8, 2021
Kazakhstan: Activist detained for hypothetical anti-China picket Baibolat Kunbolat has been relentless in his campaign on Xinjiang. Jul 1, 2021
Kazakhstan: Russia’s Yandex taxi in court trouble as China’s Didi circles The situation has arisen because mischief-making by a so-called patent troll. Chris Rickleton Jun 24, 2021
Turkmenistan: Plane wrong Abu Dhabi invests in green energy, China gets another drilling contract, and Ashgabat cuts funding to universities. This and more in our weekly Turkmenistan briefing. Akhal-Teke: A Turkmenistan Bulletin Jun 22, 2021
Tajikistan: China attaches strings to $204m highway grant Chinese companies will get all the contracts to do the work. Jun 18, 2021
Turkmenistan: Chinese debt trap unlocked But the end of onerous debt-servicing duties will not spell an imminent transformation in fortunes. Akhal-Teke: A Turkmenistan Bulletin Jun 15, 2021
Kyrgyzstan: First lady’s prominence sets tongues wagging Aigul Japarova's charity is helping raise her profile. Jun 14, 2021
Tajikistan nets hundreds of millions from donors to build roads While foreigners pay for Tajikistan’s roads, elite insiders reap the rewards. Kamila Ibragimova Jun 8, 2021
Georgia: Chinese investment "illusory" – investigation The report examines two failed promises on the Belt and Road. Jun 3, 2021
Tajikistan shares irrigation water with Kazakhstan Diverting 315 million cubic meters could help Kazakhstan avoid a summer of drought. Almaz Kumenov Jun 2, 2021
Uzbeks weigh vaccines: Russian vs. Chinese Vaccine hesitancy in Uzbekistan is high, bred by social media conspiracies that seem credible in a country without accountable authorities. Ezoza Yakvalkhodjieva Jun 2, 2021
Perspectives | Xi’an meeting marks a new chapter for China in Central Asia As the only major power at the table, China sets the agenda. Srdjan Uljevic May 20, 2021
China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway: Who is going to pay? Kyrgyzstan is flogging its section of the would-be track, but how successfully? Chris Rickleton May 17, 2021