Kazakhstan: Ever more borrowers unable to repay loans Overdue loans have increased by 10 percent since January. Almaz Kumenov Sep 25, 2020
Central Asia: Belt and Road takes back seat in Chinese envoy’s tour Beijing is eager to show solidarity as the coronavirus pandemic rumbles on. Chris Rickleton Sep 16, 2020
Leading Azerbaijani opposition figure enters second week of hunger strike Tofig Yagublu was detained shortly after the president warned that the opposition was using the coronavirus to destabilize Azerbaijan. Now even pro-government MPs are calling for his release. Sep 15, 2020
Kazakhstan: Classes continue in remote format Parents are pleading for relief from their kids learning from home, however. Almaz Kumenov Sep 10, 2020
Azerbaijani power struggle intensifies The under-the-surface schism within the government has dominated public discourse in Azerbaijan in recent weeks. Sep 9, 2020
Kazakhstan: Presidential address fails to excite Pledges to let people raid their pension pots were met favorably, though. Almaz Kumenov Sep 3, 2020
Chinese hydroelectric investments in Central Asia: A snapshot The first in a series of briefings on Beijing's investments in Central Asian renewables. Niva Yau Aug 31, 2020
Kazakhstan’s war on coronavirus fake news underwhelms Confusion and contradiction are at the heart of the government’s counter-disinformation strategy. Almaz Kumenov Aug 28, 2020
High-profile COVID wedding highlights Azerbaijani political schism A longtime gray cardinal is in trouble after violating social-distancing laws. But breaking rules is what bigwigs do in Azerbaijan. Aug 26, 2020
Kyrgyzstan opens up to Kazakhstan’s tourists. In theory Kyrgyz officials have drawn up a list of 31 countries from which people can visit. Almaz Kumenov Aug 24, 2020
Kazakhstan: Too close for comfort in the age of coronavirus Officials concede their exhortations to maintain social distance have had little impact. Joanna Lillis Aug 17, 2020
Ukraine’s census attempt crashes and burns yet again Independent Ukraine has held only one census, almost 20 years ago. Mariya Chukhnova Aug 12, 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
Azerbaijani president slams State Oil Company, announces privatization In an unprecedented speech, Ilham Aliyev blasted the “socialist economic model” behind his country’s largest companies. Aug 9, 2020
Kazakhstan: Authorities see COVID-19 improvement, but tighten restrictions The lockdown regime was rolled over until mid-August. Almaz Kumenov Aug 4, 2020