Country
Uzbekistan
Uzbek President Secures 2nd Term in Flawed Election
By Catherine Putz
The OSCE election monitoring mission says reforms under Mirziyoyev "have not yet resulted in a genuinely pluralistic environment."
Quiet Presidential Campaign Nearly Over in Uzbekistan
By Catherine Putz
Uzbekistan's election is set for October 24.
Russia’s Dependence on Cheap Central Asian Labor Exposed
By Umida Hashimova
Administrative punishments against Central Asian labor migrants and COVID-19 restrictions reveal the vulnerabilities of Russia’s labor market.
Who Are Uzbekistan’s Remaining Religious Prisoners?
By Catherine Putz
Despite thousands reportedly released since 2016, an estimated 2,000 remain jailed in Uzbekistan for political and religious reasons.
Will the Taliban’s Takeover Inspire Central Asian Extremists?
By Umida Hashimova
Central Asian governments seem more sensitive to domestic and regional threats possibly invigorated by the Taliban’s rise to power.
Afghanistan Can’t Pay Its Electricity Bills
By Catherine Putz
Afghanistan imports a majority of its electricity supplies, and the bills have not been paid.
How Do Central Asians View the Taliban?
By Catherine Putz
Phone survey work in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan in August and September underscores general discomfort with the topic of Afghanistan.
Report: Putin Suggested US Use Russian Bases in Central Asia
By Catherine Putz
A new Wall Street Journal report suggests that Putin offered Russian bases for the U.S. to use to monitor Afghanistan. It’s not at all clear if the offer was genuine.
A Look at Punitive Psychiatric Detention in Uzbekistan
By Catherine Putz
A new report catalogues the use of forced psychiatric detention to repress human rights activists in Uzbekistan, laying out the cases of six individuals to illustrate the abusive practice.
Tajikistan and Uzbekistan Take Different Approaches to Afghanistan
By Umida Hashimova
In dealing with the situation in Afghanistan, Dushanbe and Tashkent have taken different approaches toward dealing with a Taliban-ruled country.
What’s Next for Afghan Pilots Who Escaped to Central Asia?
By Catherine Putz
With Uzbekistan under pressure, those who landed in Termez are being moved to the UAE. Those in Tajikistan are waiting.
Uzbekistan and Tajikistan Hedge on Afghan Refugees
By Catherine Putz
Both countries have been willing to take some Afghan refugees in, but only temporarily.