Uzbekistan: Changing the face of tourism Tashkent hopes to double tourist arrivals by 2025, but is the deluge sustainable? Paul Bartlett Dec 23, 2021
Kazakhstan ratifies updated military coop agreement with Russia Moscow is working to stop the West engaging in security dialogue with Central Asian states. Almaz Kumenov Dec 22, 2021
Turkmenistan: Money, money, money Despite Ashgabat’s fervent diplomacy, one ingredient is missing from its dream project across Afghanistan. Our weekly briefing. Akhal-Teke: A Turkmenistan Bulletin Dec 21, 2021
Taliban accidentally wires money to Tajikistan-based opposition The embassy says it refuses to give back the cash. Kamila Ibragimova Dec 20, 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
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
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
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
Leaders of Armenia, Azerbaijan meet, agree to work bilaterally There was much to discuss just over a year after the end of the war, including ongoing border tensions, plans to reopen borders and transportation, and the fate of Armenian prisoners. Joshua Kucera Nov 26, 2021
The great paywall of Turkmenistan Letters from Washington, cybersecurity cooperation with China, and negotiating with a bankrupt Taliban. This and more in our weekly briefing. Akhal-Teke: A Turkmenistan Bulletin Nov 23, 2021
Uzbekistan: Afghans fleeing Taliban get cold shoulder from Tashkent Uzbekistan says it will not accept Afghan refugees. Nov 18, 2021
As Azerbaijan pushes advantage against Armenia, Russia’s role again under scrutiny The recent fighting is a challenge to Moscow’s role as a peacemaker. But Russia may not have many options. Joshua Kucera Nov 17, 2021
Severe dust storm engulfs Uzbekistan Drought and construction have contributed to the worst dust storm in Uzbekistan’s recorded history. Nov 5, 2021
Perspectives | Islamic State using China to vilify Taliban Since the Taliban took Kabul, Islamic State sympathizers across South Asia have increased attacks on the movement over its ties to China. Lucas Webber Nov 4, 2021