Tajikistan pleads poverty, spends money on unneeded luxuries A panhandling president is unaccountable to his Western benefactors. Apr 26, 2023
Uzbekistan woos investors as dispute with Western firm goes to arbitration The government is trying to lure investors as it moves to revitalize a sluggish privatization drive. Joanna Lillis Mar 28, 2023
As China ends zero Covid, will Kazakh shuttle traders return to the border? Kazakhstan was caught off guard by Beijing’s decision to relax coronavirus controls at a trade hub on the border. Jan 13, 2023
Armenia and Hungary to restore ties Yerevan cut relations 10 years ago following Hungary’s extradition of an Azerbaijani soldier who murdered an Armenian counterpart. But the post-war reality has pushed Yerevan to reconsider. Joshua Kucera Dec 2, 2022
China gets Central Asia’s votes, Russia gets its silence Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan opposed discussion of Xinjiang at the UN Human Rights Council. Artyem Sochnev Oct 14, 2022
China warns against meddling in Kazakhstan ahead of Putin meeting It sounded like Xi Jinping was warning Putin against any adventures in Central Asia. Joanna Lillis Sep 14, 2022
Birth and marriage rates increase in Nagorno-Karabakh The increases have reversed a demographic decline that the territory has seen since the pandemic and war with Azerbaijan. Lilit Shahverdyan Jul 25, 2022
Uzbekistan’s new constitution: More for Mirziyoyev, less for Karakalpakstan A draft constitution is causing anger in the autonomous region of Karakalpakstan, whose rights have been diminished by the changes. Jul 1, 2022
Can a Kazakh consulate in China’s Xi’an help smooth bilateral trade? Kazakh firms see an opportunity, but are tempering their enthusiasm for now. Daniyar Moldabekov Jun 10, 2022
Turkmenistan: Where the streets have neigh name Out-of-touch elites, poor planning, and some signs of progress in regional trade. Our weekly Turkmenistan briefing. Akhal-Teke: A Turkmenistan Bulletin May 31, 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
Uzbekistan denies Russian claim it violated Afghanistan’s airspace Tashkent has also announced it will not return Afghan aircraft flown by pilots fleeing the Taliban last summer. Joanna Lillis May 2, 2022
Two years on, Azerbaijan’s land borders remain closed While the country continues easing other COVID-19 restrictions, why has it not begun to allow travelers to cross the border by land? Heydar Isayev Apr 29, 2022
Kazakhstan: Labor unrest troubles another Chinese project Kazakh officials know they cannot be seen siding with a Chinese company. Apr 15, 2022
Sanctions-hit Russian oligarch quits Uzbek bank, but associates snap up stakes The billionaire had bought his stake only months ago from the president’s son-in-law. Joanna Lillis Mar 14, 2022