Russian tourists flood into newly reopened Abkhazia The territory's public health officials have warned against opening up to tourism, and the arrival of tourists has coincided with a spike in the number of COVID-19 cases. Joshua Kucera Aug 11, 2020
Kazakhstan squeezes China critics as Xinjiang anxieties spread Kazakh activists are outraged at how their government kowtows to Beijing. Chris Rickleton Aug 10, 2020
China business briefing: Unclear borders, uneasy neighbors Our monthly briefing on China in Central Asia. Niva Yau Aug 3, 2020
After reopening, Armenian economy continues to struggle “It was the pandemic that hit the economy hard, not the lockdown itself.” Ani Mejlumyan Jul 30, 2020
Kazahkstan: Coronavirus alarm forcing quick fixes for China trade The Nur Zholy crossing has seen lines up to 50 kilometers long. Jul 23, 2020
Armenian opposition unites around army, snipes at PM The military clashes this week have become the latest cause for partisan squabbling. Ani Mejlumyan Jul 17, 2020
Pneumonia fudge hiding scale of Central Asia's coronavirus emergency Doctors in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan are growing angry at what they see as little more than a face-saving, statistical trick. Almaz Kumenov, Ayzirek Imanaliyeva Jul 16, 2020
Azerbaijani president calls into question negotiations with Armenia As diplomatic talks stall, Ilham Aliyev blames the negotiators for failing to push Armenia toward concessions. Joshua Kucera Jul 7, 2020
Here’s looking at EAEU #2: Trading places China is evidently the market on which the EAEU is pinning its hopes of export diversification. Here’s looking at EAEU Jul 2, 2020
Armenia seeks security forces reorganization Behind the unexplained recent firings is a push to put the security services under greater civilian control. Ani Mejlumyan Jun 22, 2020
Kazakhstan grapples uneasily with its second coronavirus wave The country is experiencing a turnaround after apparent early successes. Almaz Kumenov Jun 18, 2020
Kazakhstan: New study uses COVID-19 lockdown to isolate causes of air pollution Pollution fell along with traffic during quarantine, but airborne levels of several toxic chemicals rose far above WHO limits. Aliya Uteuova Jun 11, 2020
Despite stimulus efforts, many Armenian workers fall through the cracks In several cases, the employers themselves have been the ones thwarting their workers from getting stimulus money. Ani Mejlumyan Jun 11, 2020
Uzbekistan: Heartbreak and despair for expat laborers trapped by COVID Tens of thousands of Uzbek workers are trying to get home. In Uzbekistan itself, however, not everybody is eager to see them. Jun 5, 2020
Chinese business briefing: Working overtime Many Chinese workers have been stuck in Central Asia during the coronavirus lockdown, forced to work overtime to meet production quotas. Niva Yau Jun 4, 2020