Uzbekistan to begin Chinese vaccine trial 5,000 volunteers have been mobilized for the phase-three trial. Nov 9, 2020
Here’s looking at EAEU: The contraband conundrum The trade bloc's failure to stop contraband smuggling is connected to the high drama playing out in Kyrgyzstan. Here’s looking at EAEU Nov 5, 2020
Kazakhstan: Former health minister arrested The healthcare sector has been embroiled in corruption scandals for years. Almaz Kumenov Nov 3, 2020
Kyrgyzstan: Protests flourish as crises mount on all sides Acting President Japarov came to power on the crest of rallies, but will he know how to deal with them as leader? Nov 2, 2020
Perspectives | How U.S. hawks’ fixation on Iran endangers Middle East Christians A facile and naïve plan being discussed in Washington risks backfiring on Iran’s minority Christians. Eldar Mamedov Oct 31, 2020
Turkmenistan: Feeling insecure This week in our Turkmenistan bulletin: Ashgabat and Moscow suddenly ratify an aged security agreement. Plus budgets, boasts and bribes. Akhal-Teke: A Turkmenistan Bulletin Oct 27, 2020
Perspectives | Why Kazakhstan’s leaders fear regional unrest Rigged elections have created political crises in two other post-Soviet countries this year, leaving Nur-Sultan edgy ahead of a parliamentary vote. Aruzhan Meirkhanova Oct 27, 2020
Ukraine: Zaporizhia bridge emerges as measure of Zelensky’s progress The president bets on a big infrastructure program to reinvigorate his political fortunes. Fabrice Deprez Oct 27, 2020
Kyrgyzstan: Living in the shadow of a sleeping Chinese oil refinery The country's largest oil refinery is no stranger to scandals. Ayzirek Imanaliyeva Oct 22, 2020
Kazakhstan: Avian flu kills nearly 1 million poultry The die-off has caused a shortage of meat and eggs in markets. Almaz Kumenov Oct 21, 2020
Kazakhstan: Parliamentary elections scheduled for January 10 The president says the vote will marking a turning point. Skeptics yawn. Almaz Kumenov Oct 21, 2020
War in the Caucasus hits close to home for Turkey’s Armenians Some are speaking out against the conflict despite fears the government’s strong support for Azerbaijan could fuel nationalist reprisals. Ayla Jean Yackley Oct 21, 2020
Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict poses threat to regional energy corridor While it would be wrong to start pointing fingers and formulating conspiracy theories, clearly the risks are many and real. David O'Byrne Oct 9, 2020
China business briefing: Mooove over, Australia Kazakhstan’s food producers look primed to benefit from China’s increasingly tense relationship with traditional trading partners. This and more in our monthly Chinese business briefing. Niva Yau Oct 7, 2020
COVID and the new debt dynamics of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan Before the pandemic, Central Asia’s poorest countries had been managing their Chinese debts quite well. Now they are asking for help. Dirk van der Kley Oct 2, 2020