Uzbekistan: Changing the face of tourism Tashkent hopes to double tourist arrivals by 2025, but is the deluge sustainable? Paul Bartlett Dec 23, 2021
Uzbekistan: Local auto giant halts sale orders The halt will drive up prices for second-hand cars. Dec 21, 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
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
Georgian exports hit record high China is Georgia’s largest export partner, with Russia a close second. Nino Bakradze Dec 14, 2021
Uzbekistan: Female tech entrepreneur cuts out the middleman Her social media bot promises to help Uzbek farmers get their goods to market while increasing their profit margins. Joanna Lillis Dec 13, 2021
Uzbekistan begins flights to secluded Sokh enclave Flights will take 30 minutes on a route considerably shorting travel times from the mainland. Dec 13, 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
Uzbekistan pulls the plug on ‘negative influence’ TikTok festival Tashkent is regretting its early embrace of the Chinese app. Dec 8, 2021
Georgia responds to inflation by increasing spending The cash transfers risk pushing consumer prices up further. Nino Bakradze Dec 8, 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
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
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
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