COVID spikes in Armenia even as vaccine mandate goes into effect Employers are now effectively required to demand proof of vaccinations from their workers. But the country’s health care system is now being pushed to the limit. Ani Mejlumyan Oct 29, 2021
Kazakhstan jails political dissidents in fresh crackdown All the defendants are strident government critics, but their dissidence was confined to online attacks and tiny street protests. Joanna Lillis Oct 11, 2021
Armenian vaccination mandate faces backlash The government hopes to boost vaccination rates, but a new anti-vaccine campaign is on the rise. Karine Ghazaryan Sep 29, 2021
Armenia to effectively require COVID vaccinations for all employees 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. Ani Mejlumyan Sep 8, 2021
Kazakhstan bars entry to Xinjiang repression researcher Bunin has also been banned from entering Uzbekistan. Sep 6, 2021
Kyrgyzstan: Ruling tandem in trouble? Japarov and Tashiyev came to office together, may they leave it apart. Chris Rickleton Jul 28, 2021
Armenia changes vaccination policy as Iranian vaccine tourists flock Iranians have been flooding into Armenia to get COVID vaccines, causing Tehran to complain and Yerevan to tighten the rules. Karine Ghazaryan Jul 12, 2021
Uzbeks weigh vaccines: Russian vs. Chinese Vaccine hesitancy in Uzbekistan is high, bred by social media conspiracies that seem credible in a country without accountable authorities. Ezoza Yakvalkhodjieva Jun 2, 2021
Perspectives | Beijing’s “Health Silk Road” abandons Central Asia Yet another fashionable slogan means nothing when it’s needed most. Aruzhan Meirkhanova Mar 30, 2021
Perspectives | China’s Central Asia strategy in the age of ‘extreme competition’ New pressure from Washington will make China look even closer at Central Asia. Srdjan Uljevic Mar 29, 2021
Tajikistan president pulls disappearing act over holiday season What makes Rahmon’s disappearance all very odd is that he is a particular devotee of the Nowruz spring equinox feast. Mar 23, 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
Tajikistan: Would-be future president’s interview underwhelms Mayor Emomali says city hall spent $1.14 million on bus stops. Feb 11, 2021
Armenia eschews lockdown, but enjoys COVID reprieve Analysts believe the country may be benefiting from herd immunity after devastation last year. Ani Mejlumyan Jan 27, 2021
Tajikistan: Writing for the president is on the wall (and then scrubbed off) Predictions of an imminent revolt may be wishful thinking. Jan 25, 2021