Kazakhstan: Vaccine app offers hope of reopening, but there are hiccups Critics are concerned over potential privacy issues. Almaz Kumenov May 13, 2021
Kazakhstan: A diary from a vaccination Our Kazakhstan correspondent describes the waiting, the bureaucracy, and the anticlimax of getting his Sputnik V jab in Almaty. Almaz Kumenov Apr 22, 2021
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: Officials under fire over vaccination failures Only a tiny fraction of the population has got the jab so far. Almaz Kumenov Apr 1, 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: Authorities worry over fuel, food cost rises The government has limited fuel exports, citing the need to stabilize prices. Chris Rickleton Mar 5, 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’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
A brewing Islamic scandal in Kyrgyzstan The mufti is accused of misusing funds. He says this is all a plot to remove him. Ayzirek Imanaliyeva Feb 15, 2021
The killing of Kazakhstan’s bookies Gambling addiction has been a problem for many years in Kazakhstan, but authorities have been largely deaf to the laments of suffering relatives, until recently. Almaz Kumenov Feb 10, 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
Kyrgyzstan: Only 15 percent of infected healthcare workers compensated Medics say they are actively discouraged from seeking the compensation. Ayzirek Imanaliyeva Dec 8, 2020
Kazakhstan to start Sputnik V vaccinations early next year Trials for a domestically developed QazCovid-in vaccine are not expected to be completed until March. Almaz Kumenov Dec 4, 2020