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: 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
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
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
Tajikistan: Writing for the president is on the wall (and then scrubbed off) Predictions of an imminent revolt may be wishful thinking. Jan 25, 2021
Central Asia vaccination plans underwhelm, but governments look unruffled Uzbekistan, Tajikistan are taking triumphalist stances on coronavirus. Jan 14, 2021
Caucasus vaccine effort infected with geopolitics The COVID-19 vaccination experiences of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia show that if you’re a small and poor country, you need to rely on powerful friends. Giorgi Lomsadze Jan 12, 2021
Uzbekistan poised to start trials on Chinese COVID-19 vaccine 5,000 people are taking part in the trials. Dec 10, 2020
Georgia’s COVID outbreak grows from molehill to “Everest” In the early days of the pandemic, Georgia enjoyed one of the most enviable rates in the world. Things began to fall apart in late summer. Giorgi Lomsadze Dec 7, 2020
Tajikistan: Emomali’s Russia visit signals his emerging role Any breakthrough in improving the lot of labor migrants will be touted as sign of his political heft. Nov 26, 2020
Turkmenistan: The dammed united Travel bans, dams and Russian fans. This and more in our weekly Turkmenistan briefing. Akhal-Teke: A Turkmenistan Bulletin Nov 24, 2020
Coronavirus adds to reasons to escape Tajikistan The terminal state of the economy remains paramount in the minds of those wishing to leave. Nov 13, 2020