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Crossroads Asia
As WHO Team Arrives, Notable Pneumonia Deaths Reported in Turkmenistan
By Catherine Putz
An adviser to the Turkmen president and a Turkish diplomat have reportedly died from pneumonia this week.
How Is China’s Belt and Road Changing Central Asia?
By Roza Nurgozhayeva
To what extent does the BRI lead to the expansion of China’s institutions and legal norms in Central Asia?
Uzbekistan Announces Second COVID-19 Lockdown
By Catherine Putz
Uzbekistan is following Kazakhstan back into a second COVID-19 lockdown.
Date Set for Kyrgyzstan’s Parliamentary Election: October 4
By Catherine Putz
Amid the mire of politics and a pandemic, Kyrgyzstan is headed for a pivotal parliamentary election this fall.
Turkmenistan (Finally) Allowing the WHO In
By Catherine Putz
But what will the WHO find? The WHO has been unwilling to criticize countries about their pandemic responses, but has been quick to praise them.
Kazakhstan Locks Down, Again, as COVID-19 Cases Rise
By Catherine Putz
On Sunday, Nur-Sultan imposed a second nation-wide lockdown in hopes of getting a grip on soaring case numbers.
Kazakhstan Decriminalizes Defamation, Keeps Hindering Free Media
By Paolo Sorbello
Hailed as a step in the right direction, the decriminalization of defamation is still not enough to relieve pressure from the press.
Mongolia Securing an Energy Alliance with Russia and China
By Bolor Lkhaajav
The Power of Siberia 2 project involves Russia, Mongolia, and China.
Assessing Corporate Integrity in Uzbekistan’s Cotton Clusters
By Catherine Putz
The landmark privatization scheme took cotton out of the government’s direct hands and placed it in private “clusters” -- but not without significant risks.
Reaktsiya 3.0: Kyrgyz Protest Internet Censorship Bill
By Colleen Wood
Will protests be enough to convince Kyrgyzstan’s president to veto a bill that would restrict freedom of speech online?
Courts in Kazakhstan Return Assets to Criminal Group
By Paolo Sorbello
In a surprising move, the Prosecutor obtained the restitution of assets to a criminal group facing corruption charges.
Undaunted, Joint Investigation Rolls Out Records Backing Corruption Reporting
By Catherine Putz
RFE/RL, OCCRP and Kloop have published two new reports as well as a database filled with documents provided by murdered former money launderer Aierken Saimaiti.