Blog
Crossroads Asia
Oil Company OMV Petrom Leaves Kazakhstan
By Paolo Sorbello
Another investor has left Kazakhstan, highlighting the worsening business climate.
Uzbekistan Prioritizes Pakistani Over Iranian Ports
By Umida Hashimova
Accessing seaports at lower costs and shorter distances is a decades-old issues Tashkent is trying to solve, Pakistani ports might be the answer.
Son of Turkmenistan’s President Gets New Post
By Catherine Putz
Serdar Berdimuhamedov will be joining the Cabinet of Ministers, another step on the road to a dynasty.
A Closer Look at Uzbekistan’s Privatization Push
By Corissa Steiner
Tashkent has promoted privatization schemes before. Is this time different?
Matraimov Admits Guilt in Corruption Scheme, Gets Off With Tiny Fine
By Catherine Putz
Despite investigative journalists finding his hands deep in a $700 million smuggling scheme, Matraimov will do no jail time.
Small Protests Persist Outside Chinese Consulate in Kazakhstan
By Catherine Putz
In Almaty, Kazakhstan's former capital and largest city, a group of mostly old women have continued to protest Chinese policies in Xinjiang.
Off the Hook: Acquittals of Swedish Telecom Officials Linked to Uzbek Bribery Scandal Upheld
By Ian J. Lynch
The acquittal of Swedish executives whose company admitted to bribing Gulnara Karimova for access to the Uzbek telecom market undermines anti-corruption efforts.
Uzbekistan Moves Elections to October
By Catherine Putz
The country's elections -- previously held in late December -- will now be held in October.
Taliban Visit Turkmenistan, Promise (Again) to Protect TAPI
By Catherine Putz
TAPI has long been hailed as a monumentally important project – but it's unclear whether it will ever be built.
Pressure Pushes Kazakh Tax Authorities to Walk Back Fines, Suspensions
By Catherine Putz
After issuing fines and suspensions for several NGOs, Kazakh authorities walked back the decisions under domestic and international pressure.
What a New High-Speed Railway Tells Us About Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan Relations
By Umida Hashimova
The new project serves as another testament to the strengthening relations between the two countries.
Lack of Transparency Marks Kyrgyzstan’s Constitutional Reform Quest
By Colleen Wood
Kyrgyzstan’s new president wants to open a “new page in history” with constitutional reform, but what exactly will it look like?