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Kyrgyzstan
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."
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.
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.
Countdown to Another Election Day in Kyrgyzstan: April 11
By Catherine Putz
The April 11 vote covers 420 village council elections and 28 town and city council elections, plus a controversial constitutional referendum.
China’s Central Asian Rail Investment Does Not Add Up
By Tristan Kenderdine and Péter Bucsky
China’s contribution to Central Asian rail connectivity remains miniscule.
Kyrgyzstan Begins COVID-19 Vaccination Campaign With Free Chinese Doses
By Catherine Putz
The gifted 150,000 doses will be enough for 75,000 people to be vaccinated. While it’s a start, Kyrgyzstan’s population exceeds 6.4 million.
Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan Border: ‘Resolved 100 Percent’
By Catherine Putz
Kyrgyz officials laud a protocol signed with Uzbekistan to settle, once and for all, the border. Much work remains ahead to realize the agreement on the ground.
Local Council Elections a Big Test for Kyrgyzstan’s 2019 Gender Quota Law
By Colleen Wood
The gender quota in local councils is no panacea, but it is an important step in creating the capacity to address the challenges women face in Kyrgyzstan.
Which Central Asian Students Can Return to Russia to Study?
By Catherine Putz
Tajik students, for now, are not among those being allowed to return to their studies in Russia.