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
Kyrgyzstan: President prescribes poison root for COVID-19 The health minister then drank the concoction at a press conference. Ayzirek Imanaliyeva Apr 16, 2021
Tajikistan: Huge Muslim Brotherhood trial ends with lengthy prison sentences The group's alleged leader was an Egyptian national teaching Arabic at a local state-run university. Apr 12, 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: Ballet troupe walkout shines light on culture underspending Protesting artists chose the visit of their better-paid Russian colleagues to make their point. Chris Rickleton Mar 9, 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
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
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
A brewing Islamic scandal in Kyrgyzstan The mufti is accused of misusing funds. He says this is all a plot to remove him. Ayzirek Imanaliyeva Feb 15, 2021
Russia using crisis in Tajikistan to advance EAEU agenda? Dushanbe is desperate to resume flights to Russian cities. Feb 12, 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
Kyrgyzstan: Official says COVID fatalities may be far more than admitted Surabaldiyeva says "several thousand" people may have died. Ayzirek Imanaliyeva Jan 15, 2021
Central Asia vaccination plans underwhelm, but governments look unruffled Uzbekistan, Tajikistan are taking triumphalist stances on coronavirus. Jan 14, 2021