Georgia’s most heavily guarded wine The legendary semi-sweet Khvanchkara is an international brand – and used to be an easy target for counterfeiters. Now the police are stepping in. Giorgi Lomsadze Oct 27, 2022
Kazakhstan woos companies fleeing sanctions-hit Russia The government wants to lure in as much manufacturing capacity as possible. Joanna Lillis Oct 24, 2022
Kazakhstan profits from global sunflower shortage With Ukraine’s sunflower exports forecast to plummet this year, Kazakhstan is moving to fill the gap. Joanna Lillis Oct 19, 2022
Kyrgyz banks shun Russia’s Mir cards to avoid sanctions contagion Mir cards became the go-to payment method for Russians after Visa and Mastercard exited the country. Joanna Lillis Oct 18, 2022
Was Tajik leader’s rant at Putin defiance or a plea for greater dependence? Rahmon indicates that he wants more money and attention from Moscow. Oct 17, 2022
Uzbekistan experiencing hard currency shortage The crisis is likely to have been caused by a demand for currency from Russia. Oct 14, 2022
Russians flee conscription for another potential war zone: Armenia Young men seeking to avoid getting sent to Ukraine are little aware of the tensions in the Caucasus. Ani Mejlumyan Oct 14, 2022
Turkmenistan: The Americans are coming Ashgabat has been assiduously courted by Russia, but that doesn't mean it is not looking at other options. Akhal-Teke: A Turkmenistan Bulletin Oct 11, 2022
Ukraine war leads to traffic jams in Georgia International transport routes through Ukraine and Russia have been disrupted, and Georgia has become a popular alternative. Nini Gabritchidze Oct 6, 2022
Georgia struggles to cope with another wave of Russian emigres Georgians are meeting the thousands of Russians fleeing their country’s military mobilization with a mixture of fear, irony, and empathy. Nini Gabritchidze Oct 4, 2022
Central Asians targeted in Russia’s desperate mobilization drive Rights activists insist Central Asian laborers are being conned. Oct 3, 2022
Georgian village welcomes reopening of crossing points with South Ossetia South Ossetia has opened up a bit. Residents on the de facto boundary with Georgia hope it lasts. Clément Girardot, Photos by Julien Pebrel Sep 28, 2022
Russia becoming a diplomatic Gordian Knot for China Low-key coverage of Xi’s Central Asian tour highlights China’s Russia dilemma. Jiahui Huang Sep 28, 2022
Turkmenistan: Piping up Turkmenistan has traditionally fostered its closest security relationship with Russia. But it has found room to develop military ties with the U.S. and China. Our weekly briefing. Akhal-Teke: A Turkmenistan Bulletin Sep 27, 2022
Kazakhstan: Rents rocket as Russian draft dodgers push up demand Kazakhstan's president pledged unspecified assistance for Russians fleeing a "hopeless situation." Joanna Lillis Sep 27, 2022