Kyrgyzstan: China-born MP’s seat in the balance amid scandal, confusion Orgalcha’s company has backed the president, leading some to suspect he is bending the rules to favor her. Aigerim Turgunbaeva Dec 22, 2021
Azerbaijan’s pro-government media: Just following orders Authorities send news outlets instructions on how to cover events large and small. We obtained a cache of the messages. Dec 20, 2021
Kyrgyzstan, where partying is tough and playing is rough The end of the harvest is a time for ritual partying in southern Kyrgyzstan. The festivities can last for days. Danil Usmanov Dec 17, 2021
Uzbekistan’s traditional wordsmiths seek legacy in a changing world Changing tastes threaten askiya, a centuries-old Uzbek tradition that prizes wit, improvisation, and mastery of language. Dec 16, 2021
Azerbaijani government adopts still harsher tactics against opposition Police have been acting more forcefully following victory in last year’s war with Armenia. Heydar Isayev Dec 16, 2021
Azerbaijan to implement new media restrictions The new media law would impose many new regulations on the country’s already heavily controlled media. Heydar Isayev Dec 15, 2021
Kazakhstan: New Baikonur launch facility to be named after Nazarbayev The new launchpad is designed to accommodate more environmentally safe craft. Almaz Kumenov Dec 15, 2021
Tajikistan: Little person’s bigtime courts controversy A charismatic, handicapped singer has gone viral, triggering appearances with Russian superstars and a member of the ruling family. Dec 13, 2021
A year after war, Armenian prisoners still bargaining chips in Azerbaijan The Armenian government has come under fire for appearing to discredit as “deserters” the dozens of soldiers still in captivity. Ani Mejlumyan Dec 10, 2021
Uzbekistan pulls the plug on ‘negative influence’ TikTok festival Tashkent is regretting its early embrace of the Chinese app. Dec 8, 2021
International court orders Armenia and Azerbaijan to curb racial hatred The International Court of Justice declined, however, to order more concrete measures related to Armenian prisoners and maps of land mines in Azerbaijan. Joshua Kucera Dec 8, 2021
Azerbaijan’s anti-vaxxers remain on the fringe Compared to its neighbors, anti-vaccine sentiment hasn’t really taken hold in Azerbaijan. Some are still trying, though. Heydar Isayev Dec 6, 2021
Kyrgyzstan: Opposition leader assaulted by busloads of men Tekebayev says he was warned to stop protesting the results of the election. Dec 1, 2021
Uzbekistan: Sex, politics, and videotape An outspoken local deputy says police are trying to shame her into silence, using techniques evocative of the late Islam Karimov’s dictatorship. Dec 1, 2021
Military helicopter crash kills 14 officers in Azerbaijan Government critics immediately began speculating about a foreign plot, which authorities have ruled out. Heydar Isayev Dec 1, 2021