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
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
Central Asia vaccination plans underwhelm, but governments look unruffled Uzbekistan, Tajikistan are taking triumphalist stances on coronavirus. Jan 14, 2021
Turkmenistan: No money, no problems What ordinary Turkmens have long understood is that in times of trouble, they are by and large on their own. Akhal-Teke: A Turkmenistan Bulletin Jan 5, 2021
Turkmenistan: How the Grinch stole New Year As the president celebrates, the economic crisis deepened by a coronavirus outbreak he has refused to acknowledge has left his people in a state of Dickensian misery. Akhal-Teke: A Turkmenistan Bulletin Dec 29, 2020
Turkmenistan: The deadly price of lies Electricity exports; crowd control outside food shops; and despite denials, COVID strikes. This and more in our weekly Turkmenistan briefing. Akhal-Teke: A Turkmenistan Bulletin Dec 22, 2020
Turkmenistan: The Germans are coming! Only the best medicine for the leader. For everyone else, bread shortages. Akhal-Teke: A Turkmenistan Bulletin Dec 1, 2020
Tajikistan: Emomali’s Russia visit signals his emerging role Any breakthrough in improving the lot of labor migrants will be touted as sign of his political heft. Nov 26, 2020
Turkmenistan: The dammed united Travel bans, dams and Russian fans. This and more in our weekly Turkmenistan briefing. Akhal-Teke: A Turkmenistan Bulletin Nov 24, 2020
Turkmenistan: A dog’s tale Ecological conservation is a matter of pride in Turkmenistan. But a disconnect between rhetoric and reality is a hallmark of the Berdymukhamedov era. Akhal-Teke: A Turkmenistan Bulletin Nov 17, 2020
Coronavirus adds to reasons to escape Tajikistan The terminal state of the economy remains paramount in the minds of those wishing to leave. Nov 13, 2020
Perspectives | How U.S. hawks’ fixation on Iran endangers Middle East Christians A facile and naïve plan being discussed in Washington risks backfiring on Iran’s minority Christians. Eldar Mamedov Oct 31, 2020
UFC Khabib’s last outing too hot for Tajikistan? The authorities are spooked by the idea that a crowd could form. Chris Rickleton Oct 26, 2020