Russian tourists flood into newly reopened Abkhazia The territory's public health officials have warned against opening up to tourism, and the arrival of tourists has coincided with a spike in the number of COVID-19 cases. Joshua Kucera Aug 11, 2020
Uzbekistan: Civil society hindered in ability to contain COVID-19 corruption The chair of the Senate says $171,000 have gone missing. Aug 10, 2020
China business briefing: Unclear borders, uneasy neighbors Our monthly briefing on China in Central Asia. Niva Yau Aug 3, 2020
Uzbekistan: After a positive start, coronavirus driving health system to precipice “They don’t have enough drugs. Don’t believe the statistics.” Jul 24, 2020
Uzbekistan: Second lockdown imposed, bringing specter of more economic pain The economy is set to contract sharply this year as a result of the crisis. Jul 8, 2020
Abkhazia leader meets Putin hoping for Russian bailout As coronavirus cripples the territory’s tourism season and Russia has stopped sending aid, Abkhazia faces a 10 percent GDP decline this year. Joshua Kucera Jun 25, 2020
Moscow’s delayed Victory Day in photos Most foreign leaders stayed away, but Putin’s Central Asian crew is a dependable lot. Jun 24, 2020
Uzbekistan: Heartbreak and despair for expat laborers trapped by COVID Tens of thousands of Uzbek workers are trying to get home. In Uzbekistan itself, however, not everybody is eager to see them. Jun 5, 2020
Chinese business briefing: Working overtime Many Chinese workers have been stuck in Central Asia during the coronavirus lockdown, forced to work overtime to meet production quotas. Niva Yau Jun 4, 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
Uzbekistan’s small businesses counting days to post-coronavirus freedom Before the pandemic, small businesses accounted for around 56 percent of Uzbekistan’s GDP. May 11, 2020
Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan implement tentative coronavirus exit strategies Businesses are being allowed to reopen and people to take in some fresh air. Apr 30, 2020
Uzbekistan’s coronavirus information lockdown prompts questions Officials are jealously maintaining control over information while orchestrating suspiciously rosy accounts of a country on the mend. Apr 29, 2020
Uzbekistan: President nixes helicopter money idea, appeals to business community Mirziyoyev says businessmen can pay money to people themselves. Apr 22, 2020
Uzbekistan shores up food defenses as coronavirus rages Mirziyoyev wants his country-people to grow more of their own vegetables. Apr 14, 2020