Blog
Crossroads Asia
Mismanagement Fuels Mongolia’s COVID-19 Spike
By Oyunsuren Damdinsuren
Inconsistent policies and double standard are confusing Mongolia's pandemic response at the most critical time.
Grappling With Parliament Limiting His Powers, Mongolian President Moves to Dissolve Ruling Party
By Marissa Smith, Bulgan Batdorj, and Julian Dierkes
Political maneuvering ahead of June's presidential election may post a general threat to Mongolia's democracy.
Kyrgyz President’s Promotion of Poison to Treat COVID-19 Taken Down by Facebook
By Catherine Putz
Japarov's press secretary claims the president took the posts down himself, but Facebook says they were removed for being harmful "misinformation."
Uzbekistan Pushing to Realize the Trans-Afghan Railroad
By Umida Hashimova
Tashkent recently reassured Iran of its interest in the Iranian route to the sea, but Uzbekistan has more actively sought a new route through Afghanistan to Pakistani ports.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.