Eurasianet

South Ossetia has opened up a bit. Residents on the de facto boundary with Georgia hope it lasts.

The surprise trip comes amid a period of geopolitical turmoil in the region, as Russia is getting set to annex several parts of Ukraine.

Men seeking to avoid being sent to Ukraine are flocking out of the country, and Georgia is one of the few options that doesn’t require an exorbitant air ticket.

Both countries have committed to vacate four border posts apiece near areas where clashes took place.

Kyrgyz villagers believe Tajikistan is trying to make life so miserable and unbearable that they will up sticks and move away, ultimately ceding the land by default.

Georgians want to help Ukrainians fleeing the war, but there are political and economic hurdles in the way.

In South Ossetia, meanwhile, the authorities have remained completely silent on the issue. Most residents in both territories hold Russian citizenship, raising the prospect they could be drafted.

The multimodal network will shave weeks off a typical journey.

The issue has touched Abkhazian sensitivities about the intentions of its overbearing ally, Russia. And the controversy isn’t going away.

Much of last week’s cross-border violence between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan was unleashed by the armed forces. But mobs also rampaged through villages.

The same volunteer energies are also being used to crowdsource military kit.

In the first episode of our new podcast, we discuss a watershed moment in Central Asia's independent history, as Putin's war pushed the countries into China's arms. Plus, the worst violence yet between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. And more.

Tens of thousands have been displaced and dozens killed in the fighting.

Videos are emerging that do not support the Tajik government’s minimal statements about its border war with Kyrgyzstan.

Both sides have accused one another of targeting homes and civilian infrastructure.