Country
Kyrgyzstan
Central Asian Presidents to be ‘Guests of Honor’ for Russian Victory Day Parade
By Catherine Putz
For the second year in a row, Central Asia’s leaders are making the trek to Moscow to mark a holiday of fleeting relevance in the region.
US Religious Freedom Watchdog Recommends Kyrgyzstan for Special Watch List
By Catherine Putz
For the first time, all five Central Asian states are named in some fashion in the annual USCIRF report for violating religious freedoms.
UK Foreign Secretary’s Visit to Central Asia: Deciphered
By Sophia Nina Burna-Asefi
What did U.K. Foreign Secretary David Cameron’s trip across Central Asia achieve?
Sino-Kyrgyz Relations: A (Very) One-sided Relationship
By Wilder Alejandro and Marin Ekstrom
On the one hand, China and the BRI have aided Kyrgyzstan in opening up to global trade. On the other hand, Bishkek's debt and dependency on Beijing's loans are alarming.
TikTok’s Rocky Road in Central Asia
By Catherine Putz
TikTok has faced pressure across Central Asia, with governments often citing the protection of children to justify restriction.
UK Foreign Secretary’s Visit to Central Asia and Mongolia: An Urgent To-Do List
By Sophia Nina Burna-Asefi
David Cameron is on a six-nation tour of Central Asia, underscoring the U.K.'s reinvigorated engagement with the region.
Open Society Foundations Closes Down Kyrgyzstan Operation
By Catherine Putz
In announcing the closure of Soros Foundation-Kyrgyzstan, the Open Society Foundations cited the new “foreign representatives” law.
Kyrgyzstan Adopts Law Targeting Foreign-Funded NGOs
By Colleen Wood
The restrictive law was first proposed 10 years ago. How could it affect Kyrgyz society now that it’s been passed?
Detained Kyrgyz Journalist Alleges Abuse by Guards
By Catherine Putz
Ombudsman representatives confirmed Makhabat Tajibek kyzy was bruised from an apparent beating, but detention center staff would not allow them to document it.
Nuclear Power Plant Construction and Uranium Mining in Kyrgyzstan Pose Unacceptable Risks
By Ilgiz Kambarov
Pursuing nuclear power is a perilous path for Kyrgyzstan, especially given the country's geological instability and a lack of domestic expertise and infrastructure.
What’s Behind Central Asia’s Umrah Fever?
By Niginakhon Saida
As long as people have limited opportunities in the socioeconomic and political arenas, and adherence to a religious lifestyle is restricted, pilgrimages will remain as an accessible means of self-fulfillment.
In Kyrgyzstan, Pendulum Swings Hard Against Matraimov With Arrest
By Catherine Putz
Over the last five years, Kyrgyz authorities have repeatedly had their hands on notoriously corrupt former official Raimbek Matraimov and each time let him go. Will this time be different?