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
Turkmenistan: A ban on all news, ye who enter here Banned news channels, banned cartoons, and a food crisis on the horizon. Our weekly Turkmenistan briefing. Akhal-Teke: A Turkmenistan Bulletin Mar 9, 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
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
Turkmenistan: Herald the son’s rise The dauphin of Turkmenistan has valuable new purse-monitoring duties. Akhal-Teke: A Turkmenistan Bulletin Feb 16, 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
Tajikistan: Would-be future president’s interview underwhelms Mayor Emomali says city hall spent $1.14 million on bus stops. Feb 11, 2021
Turkmenistan: Rebuke to the future The president seems troubled by the well-documented shortage of hard currency. This and more in our weekly briefing. Akhal-Teke: A Turkmenistan Bulletin Feb 9, 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
Turkmenistan: Where tragedies don’t happen Cover-ups are the norm. Result: more corruption, higher costs of living and a still-uncontrolled pandemic. Akhal-Teke: A Turkmenistan Bulletin Feb 2, 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
Kyrgyzstan: Official says COVID fatalities may be far more than admitted Surabaldiyeva says "several thousand" people may have died. Ayzirek Imanaliyeva Jan 15, 2021