‘Expect less water next year,’ Kyrgyzstan warns downstream neighbors Relations between upstream and downstream Central Asian countries can be tense. This won’t help. Ayzirek Imanaliyeva 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
Uzbekistan: Isolated exclave excited about new air link The government promised to act after locals protested their isolation in 2020. Nov 2, 2021
Tajik labor migration to Russia hits historic high, officially More than a fifth of Tajikistan’s total population has entered Russia so far this year. Kamila Ibragimova Nov 2, 2021
Turkmenistan: Situation normal all trucked up Arbitrary collective punishment, breadlines before dawn, and a resurgence of diplomacy. This and more in our weekly Turkmenistan briefing. Akhal-Teke: A Turkmenistan Bulletin Nov 2, 2021
Afghan students make daring escape to Kyrgyzstan Over 180 Afghan students who became trapped when the Taliban took power have finally resumed their studies in Bishkek. Bermet Talant Nov 1, 2021
Russia urges Afghanistan’s neighbors not to welcome US forces Uzbekistan has been discussed as the most likely contender to accept some sort of U.S. military presence, even as Tashkent consistently denies the possibility. Oct 28, 2021
Event | Russia looks to Taliban to contain Islamic State in Afghanistan Moscow seems willing to tolerate Taliban rights abuses, if the movement can get the job done. Oct 28, 2021
China to build Tajik police base on Afghan border It will not be the first border facility China has built for Tajikistan. Kamila Ibragimova Oct 27, 2021
Kyrgyzstan fortifies border as negotiations with Tajikistan drag on Bishkek is buying armed drones while pressing Dushanbe to finalize border talks. Ayzirek Imanaliyeva Oct 26, 2021
Conservative Kyrgyz tabloid addresses women’s rights An outlet with a history of publishing attacks on women has launched an online talk show to fight gender stereotypes. Bermet Talant Oct 19, 2021
Perspectives | Russia’s (not so free) trade agenda Recurring import bans by the Russian agricultural watchdog attest to a problem with Moscow’s idea of free trade. Aruzhan Meirkhanova Oct 15, 2021
Afghan refugees hope Tajikistan is just a pit stop Middle-class Afghans with the means to navigate Tajikistan’s bureaucracy see the country as a springboard to the West. Kamila Ibragimova Oct 15, 2021
Uzbek border city becomes hub for Afghan aid The UN began transferring aid supplies through Termez this month. Oct 14, 2021
To fight urban deforestation, Kyrgyzstan issues passports to trees Once celebrated for its greenery, Bishkek now has some of the world’s worst smog. Ayzirek Imanaliyeva Oct 12, 2021