Uzbekistan: To New Year or not to New Year? Not so long ago, Uzbek authorities tried to ban New Year’s festivities. Theologians now say the holiday is not such a big deal. Dec 31, 2019
Kyrgyzstan’s black cloud, fueled by corruption and poverty Like many of Kyrgyzstan’s ills, the bad air too is partly rooted in the country’s culture of corruption. Nurjamal Djanibekova Dec 16, 2019
Kyrgyz choke in smog-coated capital, panic online While Bishkek’s air has always been bad, growing access to real-time measurements has compounded fears that it is getting rapidly worse. Dec 3, 2019
Kyrgyzstan: Conservatives win as women’s rights show sparks ire An event intended to raise discussion about women's issues was labelled a dangerous foreign influence. Nurjamal Djanibekova Dec 3, 2019
Kyrgyzstan: Kids-in-parliament photo-op goes horribly wrong As a little girl talked about poor healthcare provision, the MPs laughed. Nov 21, 2019
Uzbekistan wants to fine people for partying too hard A lavish feast could incur penalties of up to $230. Oct 25, 2019
Death in Turkey shines light on Central Asian domestic workers The suspicious death of an Uzbek housecleaner has highlighted the abuse many Central Asian women suffer in Turkey. Killian Cogan Oct 21, 2019
Kyrgyzstan: Lone voices push back against epidemic of sexual violence The taboo that lingers over sexual violence will be hard to erase. Nurjamal Djanibekova Oct 18, 2019
Kyrgyzstan: Two US nationals facing drug charges The pair were found holding a bag with 36 ounces of marijuana. Oct 16, 2019
Chinese investors in Kyrgyzstan work to soften their image Sinophobia runs deep in many parts of Central Asia, where anxious perceptions of Beijing’s designs abound. Niva Yau Oct 4, 2019
Kyrgyzstan: Drone-flying reporter assaulted The journalist was trying to film the home of a notorious political powerbroker. Sep 30, 2019
Uzbekistan: Scholar imprisoned for espionage absolved and released Rights activists warn more needs to be done to ensure justice prevails Sep 27, 2019
Kazakhstan: Authorities downplay problems as students brawl over ethnic differences Two Uzbek students say they have come under systemic harassment. Darkhan Umirbekov Sep 26, 2019
Kyrgyzstan: Latin (alphabet) fever takes hold Any alphabet switch remains hypothetical due to budget and geopolitical considerations. Chris Rickleton Sep 13, 2019
Turkmenistan: Kicking the Coke habit Racketeers, cotton-picking, a Russian consultant. This and more in our weekly Turkmenistan briefing. Akhal-Teke: A Turkmenistan Bulletin Sep 3, 2019