Azerbaijanis rebel against strict weekend lockdown Strict stay-at-home orders did not go over well with many Azerbaijanis, leading to clashes with police officers. Joshua Kucera Jun 8, 2020
Amid renewed COVID-19 outbreak, Azerbaijan introduces strict lockdown The long weekend curfew is modeled after Turkey’s, as the disease is spreading rapidly following the loosening of earlier restrictions. Joshua Kucera Jun 4, 2020
Post-Soviet immigration strengthens Kazakhstan’s Jewish community A tight connection to Brooklyn is helping spur a revival. Khaya Himmelman Jun 1, 2020
Kazakhstan: Controversial law portends struggle over coronavirus vaccine Without credible media, a lack of trust in government seems to be fueling anti-vaccination campaigns, pandemic be damned. Zholdas Orisbayev May 20, 2020
Kazakhs, Kyrgyz, Uzbeks cautiously, anxiously, eye return to familiar patterns Newly restored freedoms in the three countries have not come without problems and worries. Almaz Kumenov, Ayzirek Imanaliyeva May 18, 2020
Eurovision shines a light into Caucasus identity politics This year, Azerbaijan embraces both the Orient and bisexuality, while Georgia complains about the West. Joshua Kucera May 14, 2020
Perspectives | How durable is illiberalism in Eurasia? Part 1 of a 3-part series. Justin Burke May 11, 2020
Several local officials arrested in Azerbaijan for COVID corruption Skeptics say the roundup is a show meant to create the illusion of fighting corruption even as higher-level officials remain untouched. Joshua Kucera May 5, 2020
Perspectives | Kazakhstan: Tokayev takes bite out of Nazarbayev sandwich Before her sudden sacking, the ex-president’s daughter had been calling for more power. Peter Leonard May 3, 2020
Kazakhstan: Nazarbayeva, often eyed as successor, removed as Senate speaker The dismissal was sudden and unexpected. May 2, 2020
Azerbaijanis in lockdown send love letters to their president The trend is evocative of Azerbaijan’s Soviet past, when young pioneers wrote precocious letters to the editor about the nation’s astute leaders. Giorgi Lomsadze Apr 30, 2020
Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan implement tentative coronavirus exit strategies Businesses are being allowed to reopen and people to take in some fresh air. Apr 30, 2020
Lavrov stirs the pot in Armenia and Azerbaijan Some hard talk from the Russian foreign minister has led to recriminations in Yerevan and the prospect of Azerbaijan’s foreign minister getting sacked. Joshua Kucera Apr 24, 2020
Kazakhstan: Government steps up hunt for critics Scrutiny of the arrests suggests a complex process at play. Almaz Kumenov Apr 21, 2020
Kazakhstan: Medics struggling to keep themselves safe 182 health workers have been infected at one hospital alone. Almaz Kumenov Apr 15, 2020