Uzbekistan: To New Year or not to New Year? Not so long ago, Uzbek authorities tried to ban New Year’s festivities. Theologians now say the holiday is not such a big deal. Dec 31, 2019
Uzbekistan wants to fine people for partying too hard A lavish feast could incur penalties of up to $230. Oct 25, 2019
Death in Turkey shines light on Central Asian domestic workers The suspicious death of an Uzbek housecleaner has highlighted the abuse many Central Asian women suffer in Turkey. Killian Cogan Oct 21, 2019
Uzbekistan: Scholar imprisoned for espionage absolved and released Rights activists warn more needs to be done to ensure justice prevails Sep 27, 2019
Kazakhstan: Authorities downplay problems as students brawl over ethnic differences Two Uzbek students say they have come under systemic harassment. Darkhan Umirbekov Sep 26, 2019
Kyrgyzstan: Latin (alphabet) fever takes hold Any alphabet switch remains hypothetical due to budget and geopolitical considerations. Chris Rickleton Sep 13, 2019
Turkmenistan: Kicking the Coke habit Racketeers, cotton-picking, a Russian consultant. This and more in our weekly Turkmenistan briefing. Akhal-Teke: A Turkmenistan Bulletin Sep 3, 2019
Uzbekistan: Where memory falters, creativity begins – a glance at Saodat Ismailova “My language formed in Europe. But I’m a Central Asian artist. I was formed on a Central Asian foundation.” Agnieszka Pikulicka-Wilczewska Aug 28, 2019
Eurasian Union pension reforms undercut by shadow economy About half of labor migrants in Russia work without authorization, so their employers do not contribute to the state Pension Fund. Anastasya Manuylova Aug 23, 2019
Wrestling with past and present: Uzbek father and son cope with life’s takedowns Garik Arakelov was a sports celebrity in Uzbekistan. Now he’s a plumber in New York, nurturing his son’s own sporting career. Wufei Yu Aug 15, 2019
Tajikistan: Russia hinders independent Tajik news website Asia-Plus was deemed extremist by Moscow for a report on a suicide attempt. Aug 5, 2019
Uzbekistan: When will Bukhara’s Jews get their own museum? One argument for opening a museum is to foster a better awareness of history among the remaining Bukharan Jewish community. Jul 19, 2019
Perspectives | Civic tech activism vs. digital authoritarianism The sledgehammer approach to suppressing civic activism is not working for the internet. Barbara von Ow-Freytag Jul 16, 2019
TV host’s profane anti-Putin diatribe vexes both Georgians and Russians The host expressed what many Georgians – and Russians – feel, but many worried that it could unnecessarily escalate the ongoing crisis between the two countries. Giorgi Lomsadze Jul 8, 2019
Uzbekistan’s invisible Uighurs The plight of Uighurs is object of an unspoken policy of censorship. Jul 1, 2019