Georgia: Brunch in a time of plague After some early success in fighting COVID, Georgia let down its guard. Then I did, too. Giorgi Lomsadze May 26, 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
Perspectives | Beijing’s “Health Silk Road” abandons Central Asia Yet another fashionable slogan means nothing when it’s needed most. Aruzhan Meirkhanova Mar 30, 2021
Perspectives | China’s Central Asia strategy in the age of ‘extreme competition’ New pressure from Washington will make China look even closer at Central Asia. Srdjan Uljevic Mar 29, 2021
Georgian COVID immunization drive stumbles out of the gate The death of a nurse, hasty European policy decisions and the Georgian church’s indifference all have contributed to a rocky rollout for the vaccination campaign. Giorgi Lomsadze Mar 24, 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
As a possible new COVID-19 wave looms, Central Asia is napping The region appears wholly unprepared for the latest rise in cases. Mar 17, 2021
Kyrgyzstan: Waiting and loathing on the Chinese border It can take four days to get to the front of the line at this bitterly cold pass almost two miles high. Danil Usmanov Mar 4, 2021
Kazakhstan: Exporters lose money to China anti-coronavirus regime Kazakh officials say the Chinese are breaking their legal commitments. Almaz Kumenov Mar 4, 2021
Uzbekistan embarks on mass vaccination, but where will doses come from? Hopes are being pinned on the Sino-Uzbek vaccine ZF-UZ-VAC 2001. Mar 3, 2021
Tajikistan’s excess mortality data belie COVID-19 denialism Authorities have not made any attempt to explain the abnormally high number of deaths last year. Feb 23, 2021
Georgia’s prime minister steps down ahead of looming clashes The surprise resignation has delayed the crisis, but there is still no end in sight to the country’s political impasse. Giorgi Lomsadze Feb 18, 2021
Russia using crisis in Tajikistan to advance EAEU agenda? Dushanbe is desperate to resume flights to Russian cities. Feb 12, 2021
Tajikistan: Would-be future president’s interview underwhelms Mayor Emomali says city hall spent $1.14 million on bus stops. Feb 11, 2021
Awaiting the COVID vaccine, Georgians are split between skeptical and eager More than 40 percent of Georgians say they don’t want to get the jab, which could complicate public health efforts when the vaccines finally arrive. Giorgi Lomsadze Feb 3, 2021