Kyrgyzstan: TV presenter’s racy photos ignite morality furor Debates about women’s bodies recur periodically in Kyrgyzstani social media skirmishes; now there are signs that policymakers are eager to get involved. Ayzirek Imanaliyeva Dec 13, 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
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
Uzbekistan pulls the plug on ‘negative influence’ TikTok festival Tashkent is regretting its early embrace of the Chinese app. Dec 8, 2021
Turkmenistan: This is Fine A cratering economy, the world’s slowest internet, and the army takes charge of food production. This and more in our weekly Turkmenistan briefing. Akhal-Teke: A Turkmenistan Bulletin Dec 7, 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
Kyrgyzstan: Opposition leader assaulted by busloads of men Tekebayev says he was warned to stop protesting the results of the election. Dec 1, 2021
New American company seeks to realize Trans-Caspian pipe dream The new proposal’s modest scope, and new diplomatic developments, could finally make the pipeline feasible. David O'Byrne Dec 1, 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
Turkmenistan: Door to Hell slammed shut As hopes for an Afghanistan gas pipeline fade again, there is more upbeat news to the west. Akhal-Teke: A Turkmenistan Bulletin Nov 30, 2021
Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, and Iran reach gas trade deal The deal was presented by both Baku and Tehran as proof that their recent political crisis had been overcome. Joshua Kucera Nov 29, 2021
Kyrgyzstan: Suspect vote-count bungling casts shadow over election The new parliament is dominated by figures loyal to the president. Ayzirek Imanaliyeva, Peter Leonard Nov 28, 2021