Turkmenistan: Closing the gates of hell Fresh succession talk, energy breakthroughs with Iran, eyeing Kazakhstan. Our weekly Turkmenistan briefing. Akhal-Teke: A Turkmenistan Bulletin Jan 11, 2022
Kyrgyzstan: The pianist undermining Kazakhstan’s terrorism case He tried to tell police they were making a grave mistake. They wouldn’t listen. Now Kazakhstan’s whole narrative about the recent unrest looks weaker. Ayzirek Imanaliyeva Jan 11, 2022
Kazakhstan’s unrest narrative derailed by confusion and blackout It is easy to poke holes in the Kazakh government’s official narrative, even as it continues to choke communications with the outside world. Peter Leonard Jan 9, 2022
Kyrgyzstan sends troops to Kazakhstan, but not everybody is happy 150 troops from the elite Scorpion unit have already been deployed. Ayzirek Imanaliyeva Jan 7, 2022
Kyrgyz businesses fret about economic impact of Kazakhstan unrest The only route to Russia runs through Kazakhstan – or China. Ayzirek Imanaliyeva Jan 5, 2022
Kyrgyzstan: Japarov, last hope or populist menace? Even in a political scene as personality-driven as Kyrgyzstan’s, the cult of Japarov, who is standing for president this weekend, is striking. Ayzirek Imanaliyeva Jan 6, 2021
Kyrgyzstan: Constitutional Chamber nixes attempt to halt power grab Activists worry the country is sleepwalking toward authoritarianism. Ayzirek Imanaliyeva Dec 2, 2020
Kyrgyzstan: Hundreds rally against constitutional tinkering Changes to the constitution are widely perceived as another power grab by the man who recently seized all levers of government. Ayzirek Imanaliyeva Nov 22, 2020
Kyrgyzstan's proposed new constitution provokes widespread revulsion The document has been dubbed a "Khanstitution" for the powers it gives the president. Ayzirek Imanaliyeva Nov 18, 2020
Kyrgyzstan's wacky electoral races There are more than 60 candidates hoping to run, but almost none are serious contenders. Ayzirek Imanaliyeva Nov 18, 2020
Kyrgyzstan: Mining sector braces for regulatory blow Japarov has tried to put investors at their ease, but his government is sending mixed messages. Chris Rickleton Nov 6, 2020
Kyrgyzstan: Parliament reshuffle paves way for Japarov to cement power The new speaker of parliament is an old and close ally to Japarov. Nov 4, 2020
Kyrgyzstan: Protests flourish as crises mount on all sides Acting President Japarov came to power on the crest of rallies, but will he know how to deal with them as leader? Nov 2, 2020
Kyrgyzstan: Behind-the-scenes kingpin Matraimov arrested in shock development Japarov has said he is waging a war to rid Kyrgyzstan of corruption. Peter Leonard, Ayzirek Imanaliyeva Oct 20, 2020
Kyrgyzstan: Japarov seizes all levers of power The president-prime minister has pledged to hold elections soon. Peter Leonard Oct 16, 2020