Azerbaijan imposes second weekend lockdown amid anti-police outrage The authorities have indicated some sensitivity to the public mood, announcing that they are investigating evidence of excessive use of force. Jun 12, 2020
Kazakhstan changes methodology, lowers COVID count The government has altered how it tallies infections and deaths to favor rosier statistics. Zholdas Orisbayev Jun 12, 2020
Post-Soviet immigration strengthens Kazakhstan’s Jewish community A tight connection to Brooklyn is helping spur a revival. Khaya Himmelman Jun 1, 2020
Tajikistan: Coronavirus panic puts sufferers of other illnesses in grave danger With supply chains disrupted, patients with chronic needs are unable to find key medicines. May 29, 2020
Tajikistan: Arrests spark fresh unrest in Pamirs Government troops are rumored to have been dispatched to quell the trouble. May 27, 2020
Kyrgyzstan: Draft bill threatens to drive NGOs against the wall The bill appears intended to force independent activism out of existence Ayzirek Imanaliyeva May 22, 2020
Kazakhstan: Controversial law portends struggle over coronavirus vaccine Without credible media, a lack of trust in government seems to be fueling anti-vaccination campaigns, pandemic be damned. Zholdas Orisbayev May 20, 2020
Kazakhs, Kyrgyz, Uzbeks cautiously, anxiously, eye return to familiar patterns Newly restored freedoms in the three countries have not come without problems and worries. Almaz Kumenov, Ayzirek Imanaliyeva May 18, 2020
Eurovision shines a light into Caucasus identity politics This year, Azerbaijan embraces both the Orient and bisexuality, while Georgia complains about the West. Joshua Kucera May 14, 2020
Kyrgyzstan: Rapper voices nation’s angst in the time of coronavirus Sayasat is based on stories pulled straight from the headlines. Ayzirek Imanaliyeva May 13, 2020
Tajikistan: Has the president’s son already taken over? President Rahmon has kept a low profile, leaving his son to take the lead. May 5, 2020
Tajikistan finally confirms its first 15 coronavirus cases Questions will be asked why this announcement came so late. Apr 30, 2020
Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan implement tentative coronavirus exit strategies Businesses are being allowed to reopen and people to take in some fresh air. Apr 30, 2020
WHO role in Tajikistan’s coronavirus-free narrative under scrutiny The World Health Organization is refusing to answer questions while it appears to support the government’s increasingly dubious claims. Apr 24, 2020
Kyrgyzstan law enforcement abusing coronavirus restrictions, activists say Some of the restrictions are creating public health hazards. Ayzirek Imanaliyeva Apr 24, 2020