Kyrgyzstan: President prescribes poison root for COVID-19 The health minister then drank the concoction at a press conference. Ayzirek Imanaliyeva Apr 16, 2021
Kazakhstan: Oil workers resistance to jabs complicates output plans Laborers in the extractive industries are proving more adept at fighting their corner. Chris Rickleton Apr 14, 2021
Kazakhstan: Officials under fire over vaccination failures Only a tiny fraction of the population has got the jab so far. Almaz Kumenov Apr 1, 2021
Uzbekistan tightens rules for media as president braces for re-election The timing of the new legislation recalls recent reporting that cast the president in an unfavorable light. Mar 31, 2021
As a possible new COVID-19 wave looms, Central Asia is napping The region appears wholly unprepared for the latest rise in cases. Mar 17, 2021
Kazakhstan: Vaccination campaign proceeds at snail’s pace Only 0.25 percent of the population aged over 15 have had the first injection. Joanna Lillis Mar 11, 2021
Kyrgyzstan: Waiting and loathing on the Chinese border It can take four days to get to the front of the line at this bitterly cold pass almost two miles high. Danil Usmanov Mar 4, 2021
Kazakhstan: Exporters lose money to China anti-coronavirus regime Kazakh officials say the Chinese are breaking their legal commitments. Almaz Kumenov Mar 4, 2021
Uzbekistan embarks on mass vaccination, but where will doses come from? Hopes are being pinned on the Sino-Uzbek vaccine ZF-UZ-VAC 2001. Mar 3, 2021
Kazakhstan: Authorities use pandemic to quash protests Restrictions on movement do not appear intended to stem the spread of COVID-19. Almaz Kumenov Mar 1, 2021
Kazakhstan’s vaccination campaign faces skepticism roadblock Kazakhstan is struggling to drum up vaccine interest. Its leaders could help by getting the jab. Almaz Kumenov Feb 19, 2021
Uzbekistan: Harassment case highlights wariness over foreign reporters The journalist faced not only the customary bureaucratic hurdles, but even alleged sexual harassment from an individual possibly linked to the security services. Peter Leonard Feb 2, 2021
Kyrgyzstan: Official says COVID fatalities may be far more than admitted Surabaldiyeva says "several thousand" people may have died. Ayzirek Imanaliyeva Jan 15, 2021
Central Asia vaccination plans underwhelm, but governments look unruffled Uzbekistan, Tajikistan are taking triumphalist stances on coronavirus. Jan 14, 2021
Kazakhstan: With elections chore out of the way, it is time for politics No real opposition parties were permitted to run. Almaz Kumenov Jan 11, 2021