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Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyz Opposition Leader Madumarov Again Under Pressure
By Catherine Putz
For the second time in just over a year, Kyrgyzstan’s prosecutor general has sought to strip opposition politician Adakhan Madumarov’s immunity so he can be prosecuted.
Could ‘Chicky Cha-Cha Boom-Boom’ Become Kyrgyzstan’s Soft Power Motto?
By Colleen Wood
Much of what is written about soft power in Central Asia focuses on countries like Kyrgyzstan as passive recipients of Russian, Chinese, and American cultural influence. D Billions may flip the script.
War and Migration: Central Asian Migrant Worker Flows Amid the Ukraine Conflict
By Catherine Putz
The same circumstances that do not dissuade Tajik migrants from heading to Russia drive some Russians toward Kyrgyzstan and beyond.
New Wave Authoritarianism in Kyrgyzstan
By Haley Zehrung
Sadyr Japarov represents a shift from old-school authoritarianism to new-wave methods of consolidating illiberal, autocratic power under the guise of popular support.
Anatomy of a Sausage Scandal in Kyrgyzstan
By Colleen Wood
Industrialized meat processing is inherently a messy business. In Kyrgyzstan, the politics of regulating the food supply and flows of trade can be just as messy.
This Week in Asia: May 19, 2023
The Diplomat’s weekly video round-up of Asia news.
In Xi’an, China’s Xi Calls for a ‘Shared Future’ With Central Asia
By Catherine Putz
The summit produced the clearest iteration of Chinese interests in and commitments to Central Asia to date, but there's no "new blueprint" for relations.
Central Asian Presidents Join Putin for May 9 Victory Day Parade
By Catherine Putz
It is difficult to disentangle the political choices made by Central Asian leaders to attend Moscow’s parade this year from the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Upcoming China-Central Asia Summit to Offer a ‘New Blueprint’ for Relations
By Catherine Putz
Xi has prepared an "important speech" and the six leaders are expected to jointly sign an "important political document.”
Report: Kyrgyz, Tajik Forces May Have Committed War Crimes in Border Conflict
By Catherine Putz
Human Rights Watch says in a detailed report on the September 2022 Kyrgyz-Tajik border conflict that forces on both sides may have committed war crimes in targeting civilians.
Aijan Sharshenova on Kyrgyzstan’s Shrinking Political Space
By Catherine Putz
“The Kyrgyz political space has definitely become more constrained, more dangerous, more unpredictable, and less free.”
Court Orders RFE/RL’s Radio Azattyk Shut Down in Kyrgyzstan
By Catherine Putz
RFE/RL plans to appeal the court’s decision and has made clear that it has no intention of abandoning its audience in Kyrgyzstan.