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
Kazakhstan: China protests reach landmark, despite official war of attrition Some protesters spend most of their pensions traveling daily to picket outside the Chinese consulate. Daniyar Moldabekov and Nazerke Kurmangazinova Dec 6, 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
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
Nuclear power riles Kazakhs once again Kazakhstan’s energy needs are overwhelmingly served by burning dirty coal. Zholdas Orisbayev Sep 16, 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
Memoir | 9/11 shifted the world. In Central Asia, diplomatic frenzy ensued Behind the scenes with an American negotiator who helped forge a radical new level of U.S. engagement in Central Asia after 9/11. Richard E. Hoagland Sep 10, 2021
Kazakhstan: Teaching in Russian makes language nationalists see red Activists are concerned that Kazakh does not enjoy the status it deserves. Almaz Kumenov Sep 1, 2021
Kazakhstan: Mystery of khan’s remains close to being solved? Kenesary’s ascendancy to the status of national hero arrived with independence. Almaz Kumenov Sep 1, 2021
Perspectives | Remember the disappeared, but don’t forget their families The victims of state-sponsored disappearances include the families who wake up every day uncertain, missing a loved one whose fate is not known. Ivar Dale Aug 31, 2021
Uzbekistan: 115 victims of Soviet repression rehabilitated Many of the repressed were targeted for their religious beliefs. Aug 26, 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
Russia bares fangs over language in Kyrgyzstan Politicians in Moscow claim to be concerned that Russian-speaking citizens may be facing intimidation and aggression in Kyrgyzstan – a fact that officials in Bishkek deny. Bakyt Ibraimov Aug 11, 2021
In response to pogroms, Tbilisi weighs conservative voters against Western pressure The recent violence toward LGBTQ+ activists and media in Georgia follows a long history of government inaction against radical right figures. Giorgi Lomsadze Jul 26, 2021
Perspectives | Blame it on Russia? The danger of geopolitical takes on Georgia’s far right Framing Georgia’s far right as a unified pro-Russian actor obscures complex local problems. Tamta Gelashvili Jul 10, 2021