Country
Kyrgyzstan
The Middle Corridor: A Renaissance in Global Commerce
By Hunter Stoll
Although the Middle Corridor offers promise, its journey toward becoming a viable strategic alternative to existing trade routes will be met with tough challenges.
With Journalists Behind Bars, Kyrgyzstan Enters New Era of Repression
By Ilya Lozovsky
The authorities have accused Temirov Live, a respected investigative outlet, of inciting mass unrest, and jailed nearly a dozen of its current and former employees.
Kyrgyzstan’s Repressive Turn Lands Bishkek on CIVICUS Watchlist
By Catherine Putz
The watchdog says Kyrgyz authorities are “cracking down on dissent with unprecedented severity”
Worrying Water Levels at Kyrgyzstan’s Critical Toktogul Reservoir
By Catherine Putz
Officials have again urged consumers to use less electricity as the reservoir’s water levels drop closer to a concerning ‘dead’ level.
Comparing Chinese and Indian Energy Security Strategies in Central Asia
By Kashif Hasan Khan and Marin Ekstrom
In terms of energy security, China is currently edging out India for influence in Central Asia.
US Puts Additional Central Asian Companies on Russia Sanctions List
By Catherine Putz
The latest round of sanctions designations included a Kyrgyzstan-based company and two firms based in Kazakhstan.
In Farcical Vote, Kyrgyz ‘Foreign Representative’ Law Moves Ahead Again
By Catherine Putz
Despite being under serious government pressure, Kyrgyz media reported that some deputies cast votes for their absent colleagues in violation of parliamentary rules.
Slow Suffocation in Central Asia
By Alva Omarova
A lack of political will on the part of Central Asian governments prevents the region from dealing seriously with its air quality problem.
Controversial Kyrgyz ‘Foreign Representatives’ Bill on Cusp of Becoming Law
By Catherine Putz
Despite opposition, both foreign and domestic, Kyrgyzstan continues to push forward a law that would enact further restrictions on organizations receiving funding from abroad.
Can Kazakhstan Stay the Course on Economic Reform?
By Bryn Windsor
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.
Bishkek’s Ever Problematic Power Plant Explodes
By Catherine Putz
Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov pledged to order a “complete modernization” of the plant after a February 2 explosion.
Kyrgyz Media Under Increasing Pressure, But ‘Kloop Will Continue Its Work’
By Catherine Putz
An interview with Kloop co-founder Rinat Tuhvatshin.