Azerbaijan fires foreign minister The move comes as prospects for diplomatic negotiations with Armenia were already deeply troubled after days of heavy fighting between the two sides. Joshua Kucera Jul 16, 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
Azerbaijani president calls into question negotiations with Armenia As diplomatic talks stall, Ilham Aliyev blames the negotiators for failing to push Armenia toward concessions. Joshua Kucera Jul 7, 2020
Azerbaijan faces prospect of COVID doctor shortage The coronavirus has continued to spread rapidly, and President Ilham Aliyev put the blame on residents who don’t wear masks. Jun 29, 2020
Abkhazia leader meets Putin hoping for Russian bailout As coronavirus cripples the territory’s tourism season and Russia has stopped sending aid, Abkhazia faces a 10 percent GDP decline this year. Joshua Kucera Jun 25, 2020
Moscow’s delayed Victory Day in photos Most foreign leaders stayed away, but Putin’s Central Asian crew is a dependable lot. Jun 24, 2020
Pashinyan, Aliyev bow out of Moscow parade The leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan cited the coronavirus for missing the big event, but the real reasons appear to be crises at home. Joshua Kucera Jun 24, 2020
Azerbaijan re-introduces electronic permits to restrict movement as COVID spread worsens The country’s public health officials also have warned that the growing outbreak is straining the country’s health care system. Jun 23, 2020
Hundreds of Azerbaijanis languish on Russian border The labor migrants are trying to return home after losing their jobs in the coronavirus pandemic. Tensions are rising, and a protest on the border has been violently broken up by Russian police. Jun 16, 2020
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
The mystery of Tajikistan’s “win” on COVID-19 Officials are poised to reopen the country only weeks after the crisis began. Jun 9, 2020
Azerbaijanis rebel against strict weekend lockdown Strict stay-at-home orders did not go over well with many Azerbaijanis, leading to clashes with police officers. Joshua Kucera Jun 8, 2020
Chinese business briefing: Working overtime Many Chinese workers have been stuck in Central Asia during the coronavirus lockdown, forced to work overtime to meet production quotas. Niva Yau Jun 4, 2020
Amid renewed COVID-19 outbreak, Azerbaijan introduces strict lockdown The long weekend curfew is modeled after Turkey’s, as the disease is spreading rapidly following the loosening of earlier restrictions. Joshua Kucera Jun 4, 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