Blog
Crossroads Asia
Another Summit to Watch: Commonwealth of Independent States Heads to Gather in Kyrgyz Capital
By Catherine Putz
Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to attend. It will be his first trip abroad since the ICC issue an arrest warrant in March 2023.
A Fourth Karakalpak Released From Detention in Kazakhstan
By Catherine Putz
While the releases in Kazakhstan have been welcomed by the Karakalpak community, it’s clear that a sense of unease remains.
A Brief Chronicle of Enforced Disappearances in Tajikistan
By Catherine Putz
When a government captures, imprisons, or kills a detainee and refuses to acknowledge the person’s whereabouts, it generates a very specific kind of terror for other dissidents and their families.
Voices of Doubt: Unraveling the Ambiguities Surrounding Kolbaev’s Killing
By Aksana Ismailbekova
The Kyrgyz public’s doubts and questions about the Kolbaev killing are the expression of what they cannot see for lack of a transparent legal system amid the state’s apparent fight against criminality.
Kyrgyzstan Undermines Constitutional Court With New Avenues to Revise Decisions
By Colleen Wood
Two years after re-instituting the Constitutional Court, Japarov has approved a law that opens its decisions to presidential interference.
Kyrgyz Kingpin Kolbaev Killed in Bishkek Pub by Security Services
By Catherine Putz
Kolbaev’s death was a sudden end to a long, infamous, career of escaping the law both internationally and within Kyrgyzstan.
Mysterious Border Protocol Signed Between Kyrgyz and Tajik Security Chiefs
By Catherine Putz
The details of “Protocol No. 44” are unknown, but both sides clearly want to portray some kind of progress in their drawn-out border negotiations.
Bill to Label ‘Foreign Representatives’ in Kyrgyzstan Moves Forward
By Catherine Putz
Discussions have resumed in Kyrgyzstan’s parliament over a proposed “foreign representatives” bill reminiscent of Russia’s “foreign agents” law.
Gulnara Karimova Accused of Running Criminal Organization in New Swiss Indictment
By Catherine Putz
Karimova’s organization, dubbed “The Office,” ran a hierarchical professional operation – with a criminal twist, according to Swiss federal prosecutors.
Germany Hosts Central Asian Leaders for Summit
By Catherine Putz
Attending yet another summit, it’s clear that diplomatic outreach to Central Asia is in high gear across the West.
Nazarbayev Nephew Subject of Bloody January ‘Abuse of Power’ Investigation
By Catherine Putz
Since the violent unrest of January 2022 in Kazakhstan, Samat Abish has remained in the shadows of various investigations. He’s now a target.
Measuring the Power and Legitimacy of Uzbekistan’s Islamic Leaders
By Niginakhon Saida
The popularity of religious figures in Uzbekistan is tied to their legitimacy, itself derived from their formal positions within government-affiliated religious institutions.