Blog
Crossroads Asia
April 16, 2021
Europe’s Troubling Turkmenistan Engagement
By Jade McGlynn and Luke Rawlings
If they are concerned that “democracy is in retreat,” the U.K. and other leading European democracies might want to consider their own retrograde roles in the process.
April 15, 2021
Money Laundering! What Money Laundering? Case Against Matraimov Closed
By Catherine Putz
Kyrgyz authorities said they were unable to find evidence of Matraimov’s alleged money laundering, despite thousands of words written by investigative journalists outlining it in detail.
April 13, 2021
Europe Adds Uzbekistan to GSP+ Trade Scheme
By Catherine Putz
The benefits -- zero tariffs on a range of goods -- come with rights monitoring requirements of shortcomings Uzbekistan may have difficulty improving.
April 12, 2021
Low Turnout for a Strong President: Kyrgyzstan Approves New Constitution
By Catherine Putz
The indifference of many and the votes of some have ushered in Kyrgyzstan’s next political phase: a return to strong presidentialism.
April 12, 2021
Turkic Council Sets Sights on Upgrade Rooted in Economic Connectivity Projects
By Umida Hashimova
The Turkic Council aims to grow its political and economic significance.
April 10, 2021
Settling Central Asia’s Borders Is No Easy Task
By Catherine Putz
People on both sides of these possibly shifting borders have strong feelings about it.
April 08, 2021
Aizada Kanatbekova: A Young Woman Kidnapped and Murdered in Kyrgyzstan
By Catherine Putz
“Bride kidnapping” is claimed by some to be a traditional practice. Others call it what it is: forced marriage, which sometimes results in murder.
April 06, 2021
Uzbekistan: Opposition Erk Party Wants in on October Presidential Election
By Catherine Putz
The last time an Uzbek president faced a serious challenger was in 1991. Erk hasn’t been allowed to front a candidate since.
April 06, 2021
US-Central Asia: New Trilateral Dialogues Bring Regional Focus to Afghanistan
By Akram Umarov
In May 2020 and March 2021, the United States started up two new trilateral dialogues pairing Afghanistan with Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
April 06, 2021
Countdown to Another Election Day in Kyrgyzstan: April 11
By Catherine Putz
The April 11 vote covers 420 village council elections and 28 town and city council elections, plus a controversial constitutional referendum.
April 02, 2021
Uzbekistan Criminalizes Online Slander Against the President
By Catherine Putz
Instead of progress on decriminalizing defamation, Uzbek authorities have amended the criminal code to include online insults of the president as punishable with prison time.
April 01, 2021
China’s Central Asian Rail Investment Does Not Add Up
By Tristan Kenderdine and Péter Bucsky
China’s contribution to Central Asian rail connectivity remains miniscule.
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