Turkmenistan: All’s well that ends well State media is gradually breaking the taboo on mentioning the pandemic, but denialism is still the order of the day. Akhal-Teke: A Turkmenistan Bulletin Mar 31, 2020
Kazakhstan introduces wheat, flour export quotas Producers complained they were being denied an opportunity to become competitive again. Almaz Kumenov Mar 30, 2020
Kazakhstan: New law on rallies passes first hurdle Activists say they are disappointed by the bill. Almaz Kumenov Mar 27, 2020
Central Asia’s moneybags pitch in to battle coronavirus Donors have not been shy about making their generosity known. Chris Rickleton Mar 27, 2020
Kazakhstan records first COVID-19 fatality in Central Asia The victim was a 64-year-old woman. Mar 26, 2020
Kazakhstan: Diary of a city in quarantine We’re not allowed in or out. Gossiping thrives in such times as these. Almaz Kumenov Mar 25, 2020
Turkmenistan: Unjust deserts Officials do not explain why they are imposing such stringent internal restrictions if Turkmenistan is, as they insist, genuinely coronavirus-free. Akhal-Teke: A Turkmenistan Bulletin Mar 24, 2020
Kyrgyzstan: Atambayev trial begins The first hearing was suspended after the former president reported feeling unwell. Mar 23, 2020
Abkhazia elects new leader The vote went ahead in spite of the global coronavirus outbreak; although Abkhazia hasn’t recorded any cases, election officials took pains that the disease couldn’t be spread by voting. Joshua Kucera Mar 23, 2020
Kyrgyzstan: Anxiety creeping, but few can afford luxury of COVID-19 panic There are six confirmed cases to date. All returned from Mecca. Nurjamal Djanibekova Mar 20, 2020
Kazakhstan outlines plan to shelter economy from COVID-19 The anti-crisis menu includes tax breaks, fewer audits and cheaper credit. Almaz Kumenov Mar 18, 2020
Caucasus unrecognized states remain coronavirus-free The isolation of Abkhazia, South Ossetia, and Nagorno-Karabakh have served them well as the disease spreads all around them. Joshua Kucera Mar 17, 2020
Turkmenistan: Up in smoke The government is pointedly ignoring the global crisis. The very word “coronavirus” has made no appearance on any official websites since March 5. Akhal-Teke: A Turkmenistan Bulletin Mar 17, 2020
Uzbekistan confirms COVID-19 case, closes borders Kazakhstan has declared a one-month state of emergency. Mar 16, 2020
Nerves jangled as COVID-19 finally detected in Kazakhstan The three cases are the first official reports of the novel coronavirus in Central Asia. Almaz Kumenov Mar 13, 2020