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
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
Here’s looking at EAEU #3: Whining and dining There is no setback in the EAEU, it would appear, that cannot be fixed with a roadmap. Here’s looking at EAEU Aug 6, 2020
Kazakhstan: Authorities see COVID-19 improvement, but tighten restrictions The lockdown regime was rolled over until mid-August. Almaz Kumenov Aug 4, 2020
China business briefing: Unclear borders, uneasy neighbors Our monthly briefing on China in Central Asia. Niva Yau Aug 3, 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
Kazahkstan: Coronavirus alarm forcing quick fixes for China trade The Nur Zholy crossing has seen lines up to 50 kilometers long. Jul 23, 2020
Kazakhstan: Pink lake threatened by lockdown-weary visitors Sightseers were pillaging the lake for mementoes. Almaz Kumenov Jul 21, 2020
Kazakhstan: Grieving families count human cost of coronavirus Families of the dead blame corruption for undermining the healthcare service, and the government for failing to prepare in earlier stages of the pandemic. Joanna Lillis Jul 20, 2020
Pneumonia fudge hiding scale of Central Asia's coronavirus emergency Doctors in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan are growing angry at what they see as little more than a face-saving, statistical trick. Almaz Kumenov, Ayzirek Imanaliyeva Jul 16, 2020
Kazakhstan: Website seeks to put faces to coronavirus tragedy The president has extended a second lockdown in recognition of the scale of the crisis. Almaz Kumenov Jul 13, 2020
COVID-19 reality starts to hit home for Azerbaijanis Denialism and conspiracy theories about the disease appear to be in retreat as more and more people are infected. Jul 8, 2020