Tajikistan: Emomali’s Russia visit signals his emerging role Any breakthrough in improving the lot of labor migrants will be touted as sign of his political heft. Nov 26, 2020
Coronavirus adds to reasons to escape Tajikistan The terminal state of the economy remains paramount in the minds of those wishing to leave. Nov 13, 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
Uzbekistan: The mixed legacy of Bukhara’s 1920 uprising One hundred years after the Red Army established the Bukharan People's Soviet Republic, residents are ambivalent about its meaning. Oct 29, 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
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
Azerbaijani power struggle intensifies The under-the-surface schism within the government has dominated public discourse in Azerbaijan in recent weeks. Sep 9, 2020
Tajikistan: President Rahmon confirms new run for office This scotches speculation his son was poised to take over. Aug 26, 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
Abkhazia calls for volunteers to help with COVID outbreak Many in the territory blame the rising numbers of coronavirus cases on the authorities’ decision to open up to Russian tourists. Joshua Kucera Aug 19, 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
Tajikistan brings presidential election forward, to Oct. 11 Votes are usually held in November. Aug 6, 2020
Kazakhstan to merge pneumonia and coronavirus cases, but only from Aug. 1 234,000 pneumonia cases from earlier this year will not be included in the tally. Almaz Kumenov Jul 23, 2020