Eurasianet

The new rules come as the country is trying to stave off a third wave of the virus and vaccination numbers remain in the low single digits.

While clumsy on COVID-19, Turkmenistan is being more sure-footed, or consistent at least, on the Afghanistan front. Plus, unsustainable agriculture. Our weekly briefing.

With an art school and international animation festival, a Georgian Orthodox bishop is trying to revive a village on the de facto border with South Ossetia.

Bunin has also been banned from entering Uzbekistan.

The decision elicited criticism, in particular as bars, restaurants, and tourism infrastructure remain open.

The government signals it is taking COVID a bit more seriously, without admitting the virus is running rampant. And Ashgabat gets down to business with the Taliban. This and more in our weekly briefing.

A severe food shortage crisis is looming in Afghanistan this winter.

Iran and Georgia considered as alternatives.

There has been a surge in the number of Pakistanis visiting for tourism.

Poor and rural families are not equipped to handle online school. Now they fear another academic year is going to start with schools still closed.

With the Taliban at the border, the president heads in the other direction to oversee defense operations on the Caspian Sea. Our weekly Turkmenistan briefing.

Central Asia’s largest nations are using unique coronavirus vaccines that haven’t been carefully studied. Do they have a choice?

Vaccine uptake, the latest case surges, and related news from Central Asia and the South Caucasus.

Georgia’s mortality rate is among the world’s highest, and just under 6 percent of the population is fully vaccinated.

The Taliban has assured the region’s governments that it has no designs on them, but can it keep more hostile groups in check?