Kazakhstan turning ‘blind eye’ to Chinese corporate polluters – watchdog Government agencies and Kazakh-Chinese companies are using the pandemic to shield themselves from scrutiny. Oct 20, 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
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
Kyrgyzstan: Ruling tandem in trouble? Japarov and Tashiyev came to office together, may they leave it apart. Chris Rickleton Jul 28, 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
Azerbaijan declines World Bank loan Baku, a frequent borrower, says it didn’t like the terms. Heydar Isayev Jun 29, 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
Kazakhstan: Endangered antelope bounces back The saiga population has rocketed by 150 percent in the last two years. Joanna Lillis May 28, 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
Tajikistan president pulls disappearing act over holiday season What makes Rahmon’s disappearance all very odd is that he is a particular devotee of the Nowruz spring equinox feast. Mar 23, 2021
Kyrgyzstan: Authorities worry over fuel, food cost rises The government has limited fuel exports, citing the need to stabilize prices. Chris Rickleton Mar 5, 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
Tajikistan: Would-be future president’s interview underwhelms Mayor Emomali says city hall spent $1.14 million on bus stops. Feb 11, 2021