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
Kazakhstan: Police locate sense of humor, drop case against satirist Most visitors to the Instagram account are aware it is not a news website. Almaz Kumenov Sep 15, 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
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
Kazakhstan: Almaty protest calling for mayoral elections draws small crowd The demonstration, which city hall allowed, passed peacefully. Joanna Lillis Feb 5, 2022
Georgia introduces COVID passports amid record high numbers Similar systems have been used around the world to encourage vaccinations. But under Georgia’s, you may be better off not being vaccinated at all. Tornike Mandaria Nov 30, 2021
Kazakhstan jails political dissidents in fresh crackdown All the defendants are strident government critics, but their dissidence was confined to online attacks and tiny street protests. Joanna Lillis Oct 11, 2021
Turkmenistan: Trading places In our weekly briefing: doing business with Afghanistan and Uzbekistan. Plus, it’s reprimand season. Akhal-Teke: A Turkmenistan Bulletin Oct 5, 2021
Kazakhstan bars entry to Xinjiang repression researcher Bunin has also been banned from entering Uzbekistan. Sep 6, 2021
Coronavirus in Georgia ‘five times worse than India’ Georgia’s mortality rate is among the world’s highest, and just under 6 percent of the population is fully vaccinated. Giorgi Lomsadze Aug 13, 2021
COVID vaccination to become virtually compulsory in Azerbaijan The country already leads in vaccination rates in the South Caucasus. Many expect the new rules to drive a black market for fake vaccination passports. Ulkar Natiqqizi Jul 29, 2021
Armenia changes vaccination policy as Iranian vaccine tourists flock Iranians have been flooding into Armenia to get COVID vaccines, causing Tehran to complain and Yerevan to tighten the rules. Karine Ghazaryan Jul 12, 2021
Uzbeks weigh vaccines: Russian vs. Chinese Vaccine hesitancy in Uzbekistan is high, bred by social media conspiracies that seem credible in a country without accountable authorities. Ezoza Yakvalkhodjieva Jun 2, 2021
Uzbekistan tightens rules for media as president braces for re-election The timing of the new legislation recalls recent reporting that cast the president in an unfavorable light. Mar 31, 2021
Kazakhstan: Authorities use pandemic to quash protests Restrictions on movement do not appear intended to stem the spread of COVID-19. Almaz Kumenov Mar 1, 2021