Kyrgyzstan

A lack of political will on the part of Central Asian governments prevents the region from dealing seriously with its air quality problem.

Despite opposition, both foreign and domestic, Kyrgyzstan continues to push forward a law that would enact further restrictions on organizations receiving funding from abroad.

As Astana moves from crisis management to long-term planning mode, the challenge will be whether the government can stick to its economic reform plans. 

Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov pledged to order a “complete modernization” of the plant after a February 2 explosion.

An interview with Kloop co-founder Rinat Tuhvatshin.

Kyrgyzstan’s next presidential election isn’t due until 2027, but Central Asia doesn’t always stick to schedule – making early chatter about a second term interesting. 

Transparency International notes a “troubling picture” in the region as countries struggle with “dysfunctional rule of law, rising authoritarianism, and systemic corruption.”

Bishkek is on the one hand pursuing an anti-corruption campaign, but at the same time cracking down on the very media that expose such corruption.

Tremors also were felt in neighboring Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. 

The recent detention of journalists and raids on homes and offices mark a further expansion of the Kyrgyz government’s efforts to rein in the country’s media through overt pressure.

It seems this instance of an individual "vomiting up" what he allegedly owed the state has led to some indigestion, and another alleged coup forestalled by the Kyrgyz state. 

Goods exported to Russia from China via Central Asia need not be weapons in order to contribute to Russia’s war efforts in Ukraine. 

The rays on the sun are a little straighter -- even if the priorities of the Kyrgyz government remain wavering. 

In contrast to the past, when youth from Central Asia largely migrated to Russia and other countries to do hard, physical labor, the younger generation is more focused on looking for educational opportunities abroad.

Chinese electric vehicles are making inroads into Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, but for different reasons.

If rare earth elements are the crude oil of the 21st century, then Central Asia and Mongolia may be the Saudi Arabias of these strategic minerals. 

Kyrgyz and Tajik officials say they're close to agreement on the entirety of their long-disputed border.

Women in Central Asia “feel unsafe everywhere,” says Svetlana Dzardanova, with recent horrific attacks drawing attention again to a very old problem. 

It’s been a busy year for Central Asia, with numerous Western diplomats swinging through the region or welcoming Central Asian delegations in their own capitals.

But President Sadyr Japarov has also made clear that change -- and cash registers -- are coming to the country's bazaars one way or another. 

The foreign ministers of the CSTO, of which Russia is a member, without apparent irony put out a statement that says “no state should ensure its security at the expense of the security of other states.”

After a December 1 meeting in Tajikistan, security officials on both sides are proclaiming success and promising progress.

Government officials say the current iteration, which was designed just after independence, looks like a sunflower.

Why does the energy-rich region experience such frequent power and heating failures?