Turkmenistan: The drugs don’t work Digital import substitution, currency restrictions, and a cemetery looted for scrap: This and more in our weekly Turkmenistan briefing. Akhal-Teke: A Turkmenistan Bulletin Dec 8, 2020
Kazakhstan to start Sputnik V vaccinations early next year Trials for a domestically developed QazCovid-in vaccine are not expected to be completed until March. Almaz Kumenov Dec 4, 2020
In political crisis, Armenian president makes power play The previously apolitical figure has emerged as a challenger to the embattled prime minister. But his chances of success aren’t clear. Ani Mejlumyan Dec 3, 2020
Perspectives | How China gains from Armenia-Azerbaijan war The distant war may play a role in Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative. Nima Khorrami Dec 2, 2020
Azerbaijan retakes control of final region as part of ceasefire deal with Armenia The handover was confused, as the current Armenian residents got multiple mixed messages over whether they could stay. Joshua Kucera Dec 2, 2020
Turkmenistan: The Germans are coming! Only the best medicine for the leader. For everyone else, bread shortages. Akhal-Teke: A Turkmenistan Bulletin Dec 1, 2020
In Armenia and Azerbaijan, families of missing in action turn to Facebook Hundreds of soldiers on each side are still missing three weeks after fighting stopped. Ulkar Natiqqizi, Ani Mejlumyan Nov 30, 2020
Tajikistan: Emomali’s Russia visit signals his emerging role Any breakthrough in improving the lot of labor migrants will be touted as sign of his political heft. Nov 26, 2020
Turkmenistan: The dammed united Travel bans, dams and Russian fans. This and more in our weekly Turkmenistan briefing. Akhal-Teke: A Turkmenistan Bulletin Nov 24, 2020
Perspectives | Azerbaijan’s peace activists face harassment, and a reckoning For those of us advocating for progressive values in Azerbaijan, the war has been a setback. Bahruz Samadov Nov 20, 2020
Azerbaijan starts rebuilding in newly won territories Experts estimate that reconstruction could take 10 years and tens of billions of dollars. Ulkar Natiqqizi Nov 19, 2020
Putin says Armenia could have stopped the war and kept Shusha The statement comes as Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is coming under increasing criticism for his handling of the war and ceasefire negotiations. Ani Mejlumyan Nov 18, 2020
Turkmenistan: A dog’s tale Ecological conservation is a matter of pride in Turkmenistan. But a disconnect between rhetoric and reality is a hallmark of the Berdymukhamedov era. Akhal-Teke: A Turkmenistan Bulletin Nov 17, 2020
Perspectives | Did Russia win the Karabakh war? Moscow at first responded to the war cautiously, but was in the end forced to intervene decisively. Was this a geopolitical coup or was Moscow’s hand forced? Laurence Broers Nov 17, 2020