Tajikistan pleads poverty, spends money on unneeded luxuries A panhandling president is unaccountable to his Western benefactors. Apr 26, 2023
Turkmenistan: Where the streets have neigh name Out-of-touch elites, poor planning, and some signs of progress in regional trade. Our weekly Turkmenistan briefing. Akhal-Teke: A Turkmenistan Bulletin May 31, 2022
Georgia introduces COVID passports amid record high numbers Similar systems have been used around the world to encourage vaccinations. But under Georgia’s, you may be better off not being vaccinated at all. Tornike Mandaria Nov 30, 2021
Tajikistan: Teachers leaving for Russia and not looking back Salaries were always horribly low but living costs have soared since the pandemic began. Nov 10, 2021
Afghan refugees hope Tajikistan is just a pit stop Middle-class Afghans with the means to navigate Tajikistan’s bureaucracy see the country as a springboard to the West. Kamila Ibragimova Oct 15, 2021
Iranians report arbitrary ban at Georgian border In recent years the Caucasus country has become a magnet for Iranian students, business owners, and dissidents. But now many report they’re not being allowed to enter. Giorgi Lomsadze Sep 24, 2021
COVID deepens digital divide in Georgian schools Poor and rural families are not equipped to handle online school. Now they fear another academic year is going to start with schools still closed. Giorgi Lomsadze Aug 19, 2021
Coronavirus in Georgia ‘five times worse than India’ Georgia’s mortality rate is among the world’s highest, and just under 6 percent of the population is fully vaccinated. Giorgi Lomsadze Aug 13, 2021
Armenia changes vaccination policy as Iranian vaccine tourists flock Iranians have been flooding into Armenia to get COVID vaccines, causing Tehran to complain and Yerevan to tighten the rules. Karine Ghazaryan Jul 12, 2021
Georgia: The discreet inevitability of Chinese vaccines A few months ago, the thought of taking a Chinese COVID vaccine was unthinkable to Georgians. Now it’s the norm. Giorgi Lomsadze Jul 8, 2021
Tajikistan: COVID-19 crisis escalates, forcing government to drop denials China has delivered 300,000 doses of vaccine, but will the public want them? Kamila Ibragimova Jun 21, 2021
Tajikistan: COVID strikes again, despite official denials The government appears to be taking active measures to cover up the new outbreak. Kamila Ibragimova May 26, 2021
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
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
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