Perspectives | Dam building on the Kura-Aras and water tensions in the Caucasus Amid pressures from climate change, hydropower dams are further disrupting cross-border water supplies. Part two in a series. Nareg Kuyumjian Dec 28, 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
Taliban accidentally wires money to Tajikistan-based opposition The embassy says it refuses to give back the cash. Kamila Ibragimova Dec 20, 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
Tajikistan: Little person’s bigtime courts controversy A charismatic, handicapped singer has gone viral, triggering appearances with Russian superstars and a member of the ruling family. Dec 13, 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
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
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
Kazakhstan looks to nuclear amid crypto-driven energy shortage The country no longer has a choice, the president says. Almaz Kumenov Nov 22, 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
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