Russian nationalists again rile Kazakhstan by questioning its nationhood The Foreign Ministry warns these remarks are straining relations. Almaz Kumenov Dec 15, 2020
Perspectives | In Azerbaijan, Turkish leader has eyes on Iran Turkey’s president appears to be positioning himself as a protector of all Turks, including Azerbaijani Turks in Iran. Eldar Mamedov Dec 14, 2020
Perspectives | What did Turkey gain from the Armenia-Azerbaijan war? Turkey helped Azerbaijan win on the battlefield, but what Ankara stands to gain geopolitically remains to be seen. Nicholas Danforth Dec 11, 2020
Kazakhstan: As election beckons, authorities tighten control on internet Authorities accuse critics of the measure of being NATO stooges. Almaz Kumenov Dec 7, 2020
Kazakhstan: Civil society complains of pre-election pressure Authorities have decided to inspect their tax returns just before parliamentary elections. Joanna Lillis Dec 7, 2020
Uzbekistan: The red pilgrimage to Mecca At the height of Stalin’s power, he let a handful of Soviet Muslims visit Mecca. Why? Dec 4, 2020
Kazakhstan sleepwalks toward choice-free parliamentary election But there is no papering over the festering disillusionment. Almaz Kumenov Dec 2, 2020
Kazakhstan: Nazarbayev-linked billionaire sucked into UK court battle The surprise asset freeze has sparked speculation of possible elite infighting. Joanna Lillis Dec 2, 2020
Tajikistan: Emomali’s Russia visit signals his emerging role Any breakthrough in improving the lot of labor migrants will be touted as sign of his political heft. Nov 26, 2020
Turkmenistan: The dammed united Travel bans, dams and Russian fans. This and more in our weekly Turkmenistan briefing. Akhal-Teke: A Turkmenistan Bulletin Nov 24, 2020
Putin says Armenia could have stopped the war and kept Shusha The statement comes as Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is coming under increasing criticism for his handling of the war and ceasefire negotiations. Ani Mejlumyan Nov 18, 2020
Perspectives | Did Russia win the Karabakh war? Moscow at first responded to the war cautiously, but was in the end forced to intervene decisively. Was this a geopolitical coup or was Moscow’s hand forced? Laurence Broers Nov 17, 2020
Coronavirus adds to reasons to escape Tajikistan The terminal state of the economy remains paramount in the minds of those wishing to leave. Nov 13, 2020
Perspectives | What happened to China’s ‘peaceful rise’? Recent events on China’s periphery confirm that Beijing is playing a long game for regional dominance. Srdjan Uljevic Nov 12, 2020
In Karabakh deal, as many questions as answers The deal left unmentioned critical issues like the final status of Nagorno-Karabakh and Turkey’s role in implementing the ceasefire. Joshua Kucera Nov 11, 2020