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
Memoir | Where is Central Asia, anyway? A former top U.S. diplomat reflects on Central Asia’s identity crisis. Richard Boucher 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
Kazakhstan: New Baikonur launch facility to be named after Nazarbayev The new launchpad is designed to accommodate more environmentally safe craft. Almaz Kumenov Dec 15, 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 pulls the plug on ‘negative influence’ TikTok festival Tashkent is regretting its early embrace of the Chinese app. Dec 8, 2021
Kazakh TikTokers conquer the world, incite suspicion at home The world’s most popular TikTok house is in Almaty. Not all locals are happy about it. Almaz Kumenov Dec 7, 2021
Kazakhstan: China protests reach landmark, despite official war of attrition Some protesters spend most of their pensions traveling daily to picket outside the Chinese consulate. Daniyar Moldabekov and Nazerke Kurmangazinova Dec 6, 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
Standoff in eastern Tajikistan ends peacefully Both sides have agreed to initiate a joint investigation into a recent police shooting. Nov 29, 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
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