Kazakhstan: Taxmen slammed for unlawfully using COVID app data The government has ordered the fiscal inspection service to withdraw letters accusing businesses of evading taxes. Almaz Kumenov Dec 24, 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
Memoir | Where is Central Asia, anyway? A former top U.S. diplomat reflects on Central Asia’s identity crisis. Richard Boucher 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
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
Uzbekistan pulls the plug on ‘negative influence’ TikTok festival Tashkent is regretting its early embrace of the Chinese app. Dec 8, 2021
Kazakh TikTokers conquer the world, incite suspicion at home The world’s most popular TikTok house is in Almaty. Not all locals are happy about it. Almaz Kumenov Dec 7, 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
Perspectives | How ADB’s pandemic aid to Uzbekistan was misused, whistleblower silenced The Uzbek blogger who first raised these concerns was smeared, beaten, and now faces trial. Nina Lesikhina Dec 6, 2021
Memoir | A tale of two cities and many mountains Even in the late 1990s, there were already signs that President Rahmon would ignore the peace accords, writes the former U.S. ambassador. Robert Finn Oct 29, 2021
Kyrgyzstan: Women’s wrestling team overcomes and inspires Aisuluu Tynybekova conquered poverty, prejudice and depression to win a nation’s respect. Aigerim Turgunbaeva Oct 11, 2021
Kazakhstan’s stand-up comedians try to find their feet It's a niche scene, but comics have plenty of local material to work with. Almaz Kumenov Oct 8, 2021
Uzbek soccer player’s Italian adventures inspire dreams back home Eldor Shomurodov’s success making it into one of Europe’s most important national football leagues has generated a fresh flurry of ambition among young Uzbek players. Oct 6, 2021
Kazakhstan: 100 famed textbooks translated into Kazakh The project is intended to partially bridge the language knowledge gap with Russian. Almaz Kumenov Sep 23, 2021
New study adds to Caucasus’ brag sheet: Cradle of lettuce Geneticists say the popular vegetable was first domesticated in the region. David Trilling Sep 17, 2021