Blog
Crossroads Asia
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
By Bolor Lkhaajav
Can Mongolia finally ensure that its mineral wealth benefits the people?
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
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
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
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
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.
How Are Patterns of Labor Migration From Uzbekistan Changing?
By Niginakhon Saida
Following the Crocus City Hall attack and a subsequent wave of xenophobia and discrimination toward migrants in Russia, Tashkent has introduced additional measures to support its labor migrants abroad and at home.
Open Society Foundations Closes Down Kyrgyzstan Operation
By Catherine Putz
In announcing the closure of Soros Foundation-Kyrgyzstan, the Open Society Foundations cited the new “foreign representatives” law.
Uzbekistan’s Educational Challenge: Scaling up for a Booming Population
By Niginakhon Saida and Sher Khashimov
Can Uzbekistan’s education system accommodate the growing number of students amid rapid population growth?
Kyrgyzstan Adopts Law Targeting Foreign-Funded NGOs
By Colleen Wood
The restrictive law was first proposed 10 years ago. How could it affect Kyrgyz society now that it’s been passed?
What Repercussions Are Tajiks Facing After the Moscow Terror Attack?
By Alex Little
While Tajiks in Russia have and will likely continue to face mistreatment and repression, this is not their first time weathering such a storm.