Kazakhstan welcomes Russian motorcycle maker as sanctions bite The company is not sanctioned but struggled in Russia’s foundering economy. Joanna Lillis Apr 27, 2022
Turkmenistan: No COVID, no worries In our weekly briefing: Restrictions easing, COVID denialism persists, foreign suitors come visiting in hope of business, and the latest annual horse jamboree. Akhal-Teke: A Turkmenistan Bulletin Apr 26, 2022
Kazakhstan: CPC pipeline resumes working after a month of inactivity Repairs took place a few days after Kazakh officials met with CPC management in Moscow. Almaz Kumenov Apr 25, 2022
In Azerbaijan, sports and politics mix The country’s sports federations are invariably led by a government minister or other high-ranking official. Critics say it’s a model of corruption. Ulkar Natiqqizi Apr 22, 2022
Sanctioned Russian banks seeking way out of Kazakhstan Alfa-Bank Kazakhstan has been fully bought out by Kazakh peer CenterCredit. Almaz Kumenov Apr 21, 2022
Kyrgyzstan: Japarov the builder The president’s new office complex will not, he insists, cost the state a penny. Ayzirek Imanaliyeva Apr 21, 2022
Armenia and Russia working to dedollarize bilateral trade The central banks are discussing a ruble-dram exchange to facilitate the move from dollars. Arshaluis Mgdesyan Apr 21, 2022
Kyrgyzstan struggles to sell pension reform as austerity looms Workers may lose the right to earn and draw pensions at the same time. Aigerim Turgunbaeva Apr 20, 2022
Uzbekistan: Claims of cronyism dog business climate Apparent conflicts of interest clash with Tashkent’s professed commitment to transparency. Joanna Lillis Apr 20, 2022
Perspectives | Facing food crisis, Tajikistan returns to Washington with begging bowl Dushanbe is dependent on Russia and indebted to China. Will the IMF come to the rescue? Maximilian Hess Apr 19, 2022
Kyrgyzstan poised to hide public procurement information Backers of the move say it will cut down on bureaucracy. Apr 18, 2022
Perspectives | Standards, more than infrastructure, hobble Central Asia trade Regulations demanded by the Moscow-led Eurasian Economic Union have divided the region. Svenja Petersen Apr 18, 2022
Kazakhstan: Labor unrest troubles another Chinese project Kazakh officials know they cannot be seen siding with a Chinese company. Apr 15, 2022
China makes fresh forays into gold mining sector in Tajikistan Chinese investors often get generous tax breaks in the country. Kamila Ibragimova Apr 15, 2022
Perspectives | Turkey and Central Asia: Ukraine war will strengthen ties Arms sales and Erdogan’s tough-guy appeal have been part of the mix. Bruce Pannier Apr 15, 2022
Kazakhstan bolsters defenses amid Russian invasion of Ukraine In its current state, Kazakhstan’s army is in little condition to discourage saber-rattling from the north. Almaz Kumenov Apr 14, 2022
Chinese scientists measure Central Asia's shifting water patterns Disappearing glaciers mean less predictable water for irrigation. David Trilling Apr 13, 2022
Kazakhstan: Nazarbayev’s arrested nephew “gifts” telecoms stake to the state Kairat Satybaldy is facing charges that he embezzled money from Kazakhtelecom. Joanna Lillis Apr 12, 2022
Turkmenistan: Serdar ascending Serdar Berdymukhamedov has made his first consequential moves as Turkmenistan's president, offering hints of how he intends to rule. Akhal-Teke: A Turkmenistan Bulletin Apr 12, 2022
Uzbekistan hails Taliban ban on poppy cultivation in Afghanistan Uzbekistan is eager for a success story on its southern border that could facilitate new trade routes. Joanna Lillis Apr 11, 2022
Azerbaijan’s low-cost housing system accused of shady dealings An online sale of subsidized housing sold out in under five seconds, and would-be buyers called foul. Ulkar Natiqqizi Apr 11, 2022
Tajikistan authorities dither as remittance plunge looms The president has given no indication he has a plan, other than to instruct the public to stockpile two years’ worth of food. Kamila Ibragimova Apr 8, 2022
Perspectives | “The most bitter cigarette.” How Europe’s gas dependence is a hazard for democracy The experience of the Southern Gas Corridor from Azerbaijan illustrates the risks as Europe tries to find alternatives to Russian energy. Mike Runey Apr 8, 2022
Russians flock to Central Asia to open sanctions-busting bank accounts Some 10,000 Russian citizens have received personal identification numbers in Kazakhstan since Russia invaded Ukraine. Joanna Lillis Apr 8, 2022
Uzbekistan: Nuclear deal with Russia still on the table despite sanctions Even if Rosatom is not targeted by sanctions, its future projects could still be affected. Joanna Lillis Apr 6, 2022
