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
Uzbekistan: Heartbreak and despair for expat laborers trapped by COVID Tens of thousands of Uzbek workers are trying to get home. In Uzbekistan itself, however, not everybody is eager to see them. Jun 5, 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
Kyrgyzstan: President pleads for sovereign debt restructuring Debt has risen to $4.6 billion this year. Ayzirek Imanaliyeva May 29, 2020
Tajikistan sees unusual protests, authorities react with force Chinese workers rallied with a demand to be allowed to travel home. May 21, 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
Uzbekistan’s small businesses counting days to post-coronavirus freedom Before the pandemic, small businesses accounted for around 56 percent of Uzbekistan’s GDP. May 11, 2020
Chinese business briefing: Aid and trade China has a lot to brag about. And a few things to hide. This and more in our monthly report on Chinese business in Central Asia. Niva Yau May 4, 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
Uzbekistan’s coronavirus information lockdown prompts questions Officials are jealously maintaining control over information while orchestrating suspiciously rosy accounts of a country on the mend. Apr 29, 2020
Coronavirus quiets fighting between Armenia and Azerbaijan Armed forces on both sides appear not to have made many concessions to the need to social distance, but diplomats have held their first videoconference as part of the ongoing peace negotiations. Joshua Kucera Apr 23, 2020
Uzbekistan: President nixes helicopter money idea, appeals to business community Mirziyoyev says businessmen can pay money to people themselves. Apr 22, 2020
Uzbekistan shores up food defenses as coronavirus rages Mirziyoyev wants his country-people to grow more of their own vegetables. Apr 14, 2020
Infodemic infects Chinese-Russian relations The pandemic is undermining official efforts in China and Russia to foster mutual amity. Xiaofei Xu Apr 12, 2020