Blog
Crossroads Asia
July 07, 2020
Date Set for Kyrgyzstan’s Parliamentary Election: October 4
By Catherine Putz
Amid the mire of politics and a pandemic, Kyrgyzstan is headed for a pivotal parliamentary election this fall.
July 07, 2020
Turkmenistan (Finally) Allowing the WHO In
By Catherine Putz
But what will the WHO find? The WHO has been unwilling to criticize countries about their pandemic responses, but has been quick to praise them.
July 06, 2020
Kazakhstan Locks Down, Again, as COVID-19 Cases Rise
By Catherine Putz
On Sunday, Nur-Sultan imposed a second nation-wide lockdown in hopes of getting a grip on soaring case numbers.
July 06, 2020
Kazakhstan Decriminalizes Defamation, Keeps Hindering Free Media
By Paolo Sorbello
Hailed as a step in the right direction, the decriminalization of defamation is still not enough to relieve pressure from the press.
July 02, 2020
Mongolia Securing an Energy Alliance with Russia and China
By Bolor Lkhaajav
The Power of Siberia 2 project involves Russia, Mongolia, and China.
July 01, 2020
Assessing Corporate Integrity in Uzbekistan’s Cotton Clusters
By Catherine Putz
The landmark privatization scheme took cotton out of the government’s direct hands and placed it in private “clusters” -- but not without significant risks.
July 01, 2020
Reaktsiya 3.0: Kyrgyz Protest Internet Censorship Bill
By Colleen Wood
Will protests be enough to convince Kyrgyzstan’s president to veto a bill that would restrict freedom of speech online?
June 30, 2020
Courts in Kazakhstan Return Assets to Criminal Group
By Paolo Sorbello
In a surprising move, the Prosecutor obtained the restitution of assets to a criminal group facing corruption charges.
June 30, 2020
Undaunted, Joint Investigation Rolls Out Records Backing Corruption Reporting
By Catherine Putz
RFE/RL, OCCRP and Kloop have published two new reports as well as a database filled with documents provided by murdered former money launderer Aierken Saimaiti.
June 26, 2020
Central Asian States Take on ‘False Information’
By Catherine Putz
Laws put in place to support the fight against COVID-19 by targeting false information are easily abused to crack down on negative opinions and dissent.
June 25, 2020
Mongolia’s New Parliament: Familiar Party, Fresher Faces
By Julian Dierkes and Marissa Smith
The MPP retains its supermajority, but there is more to the results than simply a consolidation of power by the ruling party.
June 25, 2020
Russia’s Victory Day Guests
By Catherine Putz
Who showed up to Moscow’s rescheduled Victory Day parade?
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