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Crossroads Asia

US Religious Freedom Watchdog Recommends Kyrgyzstan for Special Watch List

US Religious Freedom Watchdog Recommends Kyrgyzstan for Special Watch List

By Catherine Putz
For the first time, all five Central Asian states are named in some fashion in the annual USCIRF report for violating religious freedoms.

UK Foreign Secretary’s Visit to Central Asia: Deciphered  

UK Foreign Secretary’s Visit to Central Asia: Deciphered  

By Sophia Nina Burna-Asefi
What did U.K. Foreign Secretary David Cameron’s trip across Central Asia achieve?
Tajikistan Advises Citizens Against Travel to Russia

Tajikistan Advises Citizens Against Travel to Russia

By Catherine Putz
More than a month after xenophobic abuse directed toward Tajiks spiked in the wake of the Crocus City Hall attack, Dushanbe issued a “temporary” recommendation against travel to Russia.

Fines for Critics in the Aftermath of Kazakhstan’s Terrible Spring Floods

Fines for Critics in the Aftermath of Kazakhstan’s Terrible Spring Floods

By Catherine Putz
A Kazakh journalist was charged with "petty hooliganism” for using profanity in his complaint about media being barred from accessing flood zones.

What Does Putin’s Re-election Mean for Mongolia-Russia Relations?

What Does Putin’s Re-election Mean for Mongolia-Russia Relations?

By Bolor Lkhaajav
Since Mongolia's democratization, ties with Russia have followed a steady course, no matter who is in office.

Sino-Kyrgyz Relations: A (Very) One-sided Relationship

Sino-Kyrgyz Relations: A (Very) One-sided Relationship

By Wilder Alejandro and Marin Ekstrom
On the one hand, China and the BRI have aided Kyrgyzstan in opening up to global trade. On the other hand, Bishkek's debt and dependency on Beijing's loans are alarming.

Mongolian Parliament Passes Legislation to Establish Sovereign Wealth Fund

Mongolian Parliament Passes Legislation to Establish Sovereign Wealth Fund

By Bolor Lkhaajav
Can Mongolia finally ensure that its mineral wealth benefits the people?
TikTok’s Rocky Road in Central Asia

TikTok’s Rocky Road in Central Asia

By Catherine Putz
TikTok has faced pressure across Central Asia, with governments often citing the protection of children to justify restriction. 

UK Foreign Secretary’s Visit to Central Asia and Mongolia: An Urgent To-Do List    

UK Foreign Secretary’s Visit to Central Asia and Mongolia: An Urgent To-Do List    

By Sophia Nina Burna-Asefi
David Cameron is on a six-nation tour of Central Asia, underscoring the U.K.'s reinvigorated engagement with the region. 

Turkmenistan’s Afghanistan Policy: Balancing Risks and Untapped Opportunities

Turkmenistan’s Afghanistan Policy: Balancing Risks and Untapped Opportunities

By Eldaniz Gusseinov
Ashgabat has a delicate balance to maintain between hewing to its traditional neutrality and mitigating potential threats from Afghanistan. 

The Complex Geopolitics of Mongolia’s Language Reform

The Complex Geopolitics of Mongolia’s Language Reform

By Sumiya Chuluunbaatar
It has been almost 80 years since Mongolia switched to using the Cyrillic alphabet. Why is the government now promoting the traditional bichig script?
Live-streamed Murder Trial Reopens Discussion on Domestic Violence in Kazakhstan

Live-streamed Murder Trial Reopens Discussion on Domestic Violence in Kazakhstan

By Mia Tarp Nurmagambetova
No matter what the verdict against Bishimbayev turns out to be, change in relation to domestic violence in Kazakhstan is long overdue. 

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