Country
Kazakhstan
Kazakh Blogger Forced Into Psychiatric Clinic
By Catherine Putz
A court order has sent Aigul Otepova to a psychiatric clinic. Her supporters say its because of her outspoken criticism of the government.
One Thousand and One Responses to Borat
By Paolo Sorbello
Offensive, racist, only-for-Americans, funny, and even a diplomatic case. The second Borat movie stirred a wide range of controversies in Kazakhstan and worldwide.
Kazakhstan Still on the Long Road to a Latin Alphabet
By Catherine Putz
Kazakh has been written in a Cyrillic script since 1940, but government officials have long pushed for a gradual shift to a Latin alphabet.
Former Kazakh Health Minister Detained in Corruption Probe
By Catherine Putz
Birtanov was minister until late June when he resigned after contracting COVID-19.
What Do Kazakhs Think of Borat?
By Assem Almukhanbetkyzy and Kristi Eaton
With a new film, the satirical character is back in the headlines – and so is Kazakhstan, his supposed home.
Understanding Tazabek, a Kazakh Islamic Celebrity
By Issatay Minuarov
A newly introduced weekly program on a Kazakh state TV channel has sparked sharp public criticism and a campaign against its host – Mukhamedzhan Tazabek.
Date Set for Kazakhstan’s Parliamentary Elections
By Catherine Putz
If the past sets any precedent, we can expect an overwhelming win for Nur-Otan - the ruling party headed by First President Nursultan Nazarbayev
Italian Policemen Sentenced for Kidnapping Kazakh Ex-Banker’s Family
By Paolo Sorbello
Italian police staged a special operation to detain and repatriate the wife and daughter of Mukhtar Ablyazov in 2013. Now seven of those involved were sentenced.
Kazakhstan’s Fintech Group Lists in the London Stock Exchange
By Paolo Sorbello
The group that owns Kazakhstan's third-largest bank sold around $1 billion in shares in the London Stock Exchange.
Kyrgyzstan’s Messy Parliamentary Election Sparks Protests in Bishkek
By Aigerim Turgunbaeva and Aigerim Turgunbaeva
Kyrgyzstan’s parliamentary election was accompanied by allegations of mass vote buying, use of administrative resources, and the beating of journalists.
What Did Central Asia’s Leaders Have to Say to the UN General Assembly?
By Catherine Putz
The five leaders foregrounded a range of issues, from the pressing challenge of COVID-19 to vague promises of political reform.
The FinCEN Files Show Suspicious Activities of Kazakhstan’s Former Oligarchs
By Paolo Sorbello
Hundreds of millions of dollars of suspicious origin have transited in and out of Kazakhstan with the help of U.S. banks, an investigation of thousands of leaked documents reveals.