Kyrgyzstan: The rise and fall of a sex webcam magnate Daniel Azhiyev came to prominence during the COVID-19 crisis, when his philanthropy made him something of a minor folk hero. Ayzirek Imanaliyeva Oct 27, 2023
Tajikistan pleads poverty, spends money on unneeded luxuries A panhandling president is unaccountable to his Western benefactors. Apr 26, 2023
Kyrgyzstan: Authorities bristle at Black Death research Officials suspect a newly published paper on the 14th century plague is a plot to kill the country's tourism industry. Ayzirek Imanaliyeva Jun 17, 2022
Kyrgyzstan’s donkeys-to-China trade courts controversy, corruption Religious mores, politics and the coronavirus have cast a shadow over one of the few Kyrgyz products China buys. Aigerim Turgunbaeva, Chris Rickleton May 30, 2022
“I avenged my father”: A saga of crime and bloodshed in the highlands of Kyrgyzstan The criminal underworld reaches across generations. Ayzirek Imanaliyeva May 16, 2022
The rough-tongued poison-prescriber overhauling Kyrgyzstan’s healthcare system Beishenaliyev enjoys a close relationship with the president. Ayzirek Imanaliyeva Apr 11, 2022
Armenia introduces new restrictions as COVID again rises The country has belatedly introduced a COVID pass system to enter restaurants and bars as the vaccination rate remains at just 28 percent. Ani Mejlumyan Jan 27, 2022
Kyrgyzstan: Pakistani students demand protection from assaults Victims of crime say they are not properly treated by police. Ayzirek Imanaliyeva Dec 23, 2021
Tajikistan: Teachers leaving for Russia and not looking back Salaries were always horribly low but living costs have soared since the pandemic began. Nov 10, 2021
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
Afghan refugees hope Tajikistan is just a pit stop Middle-class Afghans with the means to navigate Tajikistan’s bureaucracy see the country as a springboard to the West. Kamila Ibragimova Oct 15, 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
Kyrgyzstan: Afghanistan crisis seen stoking xenophobia for Pakistanis There has been a surge in the number of Pakistanis visiting for tourism. Chris Rickleton Aug 24, 2021
Turkmenistan: Trading places That Central Asia's presidents seemed to enjoy themselves together was itself a breakthrough. This and more in our weekly Turkmenistan briefing. Akhal-Teke: A Turkmenistan Bulletin Aug 10, 2021