Kyrgyzstan: China-born MP’s seat in the balance amid scandal, confusion Orgalcha’s company has backed the president, leading some to suspect he is bending the rules to favor her. Aigerim Turgunbaeva Dec 22, 2021
Kyrgyzstan, where partying is tough and playing is rough The end of the harvest is a time for ritual partying in southern Kyrgyzstan. The festivities can last for days. Danil Usmanov Dec 17, 2021
Uzbekistan’s traditional wordsmiths seek legacy in a changing world Changing tastes threaten askiya, a centuries-old Uzbek tradition that prizes wit, improvisation, and mastery of language. Dec 16, 2021
Uzbekistan: Female tech entrepreneur cuts out the middleman Her social media bot promises to help Uzbek farmers get their goods to market while increasing their profit margins. Joanna Lillis Dec 13, 2021
Uzbekistan pulls the plug on ‘negative influence’ TikTok festival Tashkent is regretting its early embrace of the Chinese app. Dec 8, 2021
Kyrgyzstan: Opposition leader assaulted by busloads of men Tekebayev says he was warned to stop protesting the results of the election. Dec 1, 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
Kyrgyzstan: Suspect vote-count bungling casts shadow over election The new parliament is dominated by figures loyal to the president. Ayzirek Imanaliyeva, Peter Leonard Nov 28, 2021
Kyrgyzstan: Last tango in Naryn Ahead of elections this weekend, one candidate’s signature campaign gimmick was to hold a contest for his daughter’s hand. Ayzirek Imanaliyeva Nov 24, 2021
Uzbekistan: Trade tops agenda as president visits Russia The question of whether Uzbekistan should join the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union, with its single market of 184 million people, has provoked fierce debates. Nov 22, 2021
Kyrgyzstan: Uzbek-language electioneering fuels tensions Ethnic intolerance has surfaced in an increasingly vicious political battle. Bakyt Ibraimov Nov 22, 2021
Uzbekistan’s president further sidelines old guard Rustam Inoyatov was once considered the kingmaker of Uzbek politics. Nov 16, 2021
Uzbekistan: People no longer in the dark about power shortages Until now, officials had been silent about ongoing power cuts, even calling them a thing of the past. Nov 10, 2021
Kyrgyzstan: President’s allies dominate parliamentary race The four parties friendliest to President Sadyr Japarov have spent more than all 17 other parties combined. Bermet Talant Nov 10, 2021
Uzbekistan undermines reformist credentials with ban on foreign journalist The day before, the president promised accountability for officials who interfere with media freedoms. Joanna Lillis Nov 8, 2021