Kyrgyzstan: Town near Tajik border renamed in nationalist gesture Isfana is to be renamed after a venerated first secretary of the Kyrgyz Communist Party. Peter Leonard, Ayzirek Imanaliyeva Dec 30, 2021
Kazakhstan ratifies updated military coop agreement with Russia Moscow is working to stop the West engaging in security dialogue with Central Asian states. Almaz Kumenov Dec 22, 2021
Turkmenistan: Money, money, money Despite Ashgabat’s fervent diplomacy, one ingredient is missing from its dream project across Afghanistan. Our weekly briefing. Akhal-Teke: A Turkmenistan Bulletin Dec 21, 2021
Taliban accidentally wires money to Tajikistan-based opposition The embassy says it refuses to give back the cash. Kamila Ibragimova Dec 20, 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
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
Turkmenistan: Howdy partner Turkmenistan is busily engaging with neighbors. Plus: Dancing diplomats and the president’s nephew liquidates a dodgy scheme after journalists exposed him. Our weekly briefing. Akhal-Teke: A Turkmenistan Bulletin Dec 14, 2021
Georgian exports hit record high China is Georgia’s largest export partner, with Russia a close second. Nino Bakradze Dec 14, 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
Tajikistan: Authorities go back on their word in deal with GBAO residents State TV has smeared the victim of a police shooting as a hotheaded vigilante. Dec 10, 2021
Kyrgyzstan: A stranded village on Tajik border struggles for survival Efforts to stop border trade are causing ethnic Kyrgyz to abandon a remote southern region. Peter Leonard Dec 9, 2021
Perspectives | Islamic State continues anti-Taliban PR push, with Tashkent in crosshairs The Islamic State in Afghanistan is using the Taliban’s cozy relations with Uzbekistan as propaganda fodder. Lucas Webber Dec 9, 2021
Georgia responds to inflation by increasing spending The cash transfers risk pushing consumer prices up further. Nino Bakradze Dec 8, 2021
Tajikistan press-gangs an army to defend long Afghan border The conscripts, generally Tajikistan’s poorest young men, are brutalized into service. And they are the country’s first line of defense. Kamila Ibragimova Dec 2, 2021
Georgia introduces COVID passports amid record high numbers Similar systems have been used around the world to encourage vaccinations. But under Georgia’s, you may be better off not being vaccinated at all. Tornike Mandaria Nov 30, 2021