Region
Central Asia
Tajik President’s Son Officially Second-in-Line to Presidency
By Catherine Putz
With his election as chair of the Tajik parliament's upper house, Rustam Emomali is now officially second-in-line to the presidency.
Uzbek MPs Voice Concerns About Potential Eurasian Economic Union Membership
By Umida Hashimova
Despite an earlier lack of debate or dissent, members of the Uzbek parliament have pushed back on the government’s plan for EAEU membership.
Beyond the Pledge: Is It Time to Lift the Boycott of Uzbek Cotton?
By Catherine Putz
Activists stress that there is a pathway beyond the pledge, but it's a long road to full reform of the Uzbek cotton sector.
How Attractive are Markets in Central Asia and the South Caucasus?
By Stanislav Pritchin
Investment attractiveness can be earned. How successful have the former Soviet states been in that regard?
Coronavirus Exposes Central Asian Migrants’ Vulnerability
By Aruuke Uran Kyzy
Distinctive factors shape anti-migrant sentiments in Russia. COVID-19 exacerbates an already difficult situation.
Tajik President Discusses Coronavirus Via Phone With Regional Leaders
By Catherine Putz
Emomali Rahmon finally joins in on regional telediplomacy with recent calls with the leaders of Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan.
Turkmenistan Celebrates World Health Day Unwisely
By Catherine Putz
This year the celebrations were different, though how different depends on your source.
Uzbekistan Adopts Strict Regulations to Fight COVID-19
By Umida Hashimova
The pandemic has led to the resurrection of heavy law enforcement in Uzbekistan.
Inside COVID-19 Quarantine in Kyrgyzstan
By Stephen Lioy
Returning to Bishkek, photographer Stephen Lioy was placed in quarantine at a site he’s always wanted to explore: the old U.S. military base.
Uzbekistan Leads Central Asian Diplomacy in the Age of COVID-19
By Catherine Putz
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has been ringing his neighbors to coordinate and dispatching aid to Afghanistan.
The International Community Must Put a Spotlight on Tajikistan’s Human Rights Record
By Scott Martin
Silencing opposition figures, independent voices, and those defending the detained -- a spotlight must be shone on the Tajik government’s human rights record.
Did Turkmenistan Really Ban the Word ‘Coronavirus’?
By Catherine Putz
Not quite. But Ashgabat is certainly denying the reality of the COVID-19 threat.