Turkmenistan: It’s my party, and I’ll go if I want to Micromanagement, avoidance, and the regime’s helpless fig-leaf – this and more in our weekly Turkmenistan bulletin. Akhal-Teke: A Turkmenistan Bulletin Jun 30, 2020
Kazakhstan pivoting back to robust lockdown Infections have increased sevenfold since lockdowns were eased. Almaz Kumenov Jun 29, 2020
The modern-day struggle sessions of Central Asia The apology or recantation is uploaded to social media. Often, there is a pretense of the repentance being voluntary. But that is not always the case. Jun 25, 2020
Tajikistan intensifies and broadens war on journalists A state TV program accuses reporters of working in league with would-be extremists. Jun 24, 2020
Kazakhstan: Mandatory vaccination plans dropped Prosecuting doctors for malpractice, meanwhile, will become more complicated. Almaz Kumenov Jun 18, 2020
Tajikistan: COVID-19 outbreak offers cover for fresh assault on free press It’s open season on journalists in Tajikistan and officials aren’t shy about blaming the victims. Jun 12, 2020
Kazakhstan changes methodology, lowers COVID count The government has altered how it tallies infections and deaths to favor rosier statistics. Zholdas Orisbayev Jun 12, 2020
Kazakhstan: New study uses COVID-19 lockdown to isolate causes of air pollution Pollution fell along with traffic during quarantine, but airborne levels of several toxic chemicals rose far above WHO limits. Aliya Uteuova Jun 11, 2020
Turkmenistan: Going with the grain The idea that the president is concerned for the health and wellbeing of his people is undermined by the merry song-and-dance on which he has led the WHO. Akhal-Teke: A Turkmenistan Bulletin Jun 9, 2020
Post-Soviet immigration strengthens Kazakhstan’s Jewish community A tight connection to Brooklyn is helping spur a revival. Khaya Himmelman Jun 1, 2020
Tajikistan: Coronavirus panic puts sufferers of other illnesses in grave danger With supply chains disrupted, patients with chronic needs are unable to find key medicines. May 29, 2020
Tajikistan: Arrests spark fresh unrest in Pamirs Government troops are rumored to have been dispatched to quell the trouble. May 27, 2020
Kazakhstan: Controversial law portends struggle over coronavirus vaccine Without credible media, a lack of trust in government seems to be fueling anti-vaccination campaigns, pandemic be damned. Zholdas Orisbayev May 20, 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
Tajikistan: Has the president’s son already taken over? President Rahmon has kept a low profile, leaving his son to take the lead. May 5, 2020