Crossroads Asia

Direct election of village leadership is another example of cosmetic reform in Kazakhstan.

In the space of just five days, Mongolian officials have held high-level talks with China, Japan, South Korea, and the United States

The silver medal is Turkmenistan’s first since independence in 1991.

Jenish Moldokmatov, a harsh critic of President Japarov, is facing charges of orchestrating riots during last October's unrest; the same unrest that saw Japarov rise to power.

Tajikistan’s leaders declared the country COVID-free back in January, but the recent death of the president’s sister, reportedly from COVID-19, exposes the reality: The pandemic isn’t over.

Central Asian countries have begun coordinating their responses to the worsening security situation in Afghanistan. 

Kyrgyzstan has added additional reporting requirements for NGOs in the name of financial transparency, but opportunities for misuse concern activists and foreign governments.

Why is the Afghan government pursuing full membership in the SCO, and what would that step mean for the grouping?

Inandi's lawyer suggests possible Kyrgyz involvement in his client's kidnapping; others suggest Inandi has been tortured.

As the U.S. looks to station over-the-horizon capabilities to address issues in Afghanistan, Central Asia is an obvious locale.

Jahongir Otajonov, picked by the banned Erk party as its presidential candidate, has reportedly quit the race.