Region
Central Asia
A Look Back at 2019 in Central Asia
By Catherine Putz
How did I do on my outlook for Central Asia 2019?
20 Years of Russia’s Institutionalism in Eurasia
By Janko Šćepanović
What is Russia trying to accomplish with the CSTO, SCO, and EAEU?
Asia in 2020: Trends, Risks, and Geopolitics
By Ankit Panda
What lies ahead for the Asia-Pacific region in 2020?
Kazakhstan’s Authorities Draw a Line During Independence Day Protests
By Paolo Sorbello
The goalposts keep moving as President Tokayev promised reforms that would make it easier for political and civic activists to plan rallies.
After a Smooth Election, Real Challenges Still Ahead for Uzbekistan
By Catherine Putz
Some voters in Tashkent have high hopes while others are more cynical that the flashy election will result in a new kind of politics.
What the Censorship of Kyrgyzstan’s Feminnale Really Means
By Colleen Wood
A feminist art exhibition in Bishkek became another episode in Kyrgyzstan’s culture wars.
Uzbekistan Gears Up For Parliamentary Elections Like Never Before
By Catherine Putz
The polls, without any opposition or independent candidates, won't be completely free and fair. But they are a step forward.
Same Interests, New Climate: Assessing the US-Uzbekistan Relationship
By Catherine Putz
American interests in Uzbekistan have remained stable across administrations, but opportunities for cooperation have grown.
China Looks to Central Asia as an Economic Alternative
By James Grant
China is actively looking for partners to show that the BRI is a truly international project, rather than simply a geopolitical expansion plan.
What Recent Protests in Uzbekistan Really Tell Us
By Umida Hashimova
Nascent protests in Uzbekistan, many sparked by energy shortages, indicate some government weaknesses but also greater tolerance.
After Exposing Corruption, Media Under Pressure in Kyrgyzstan
By Catherine Putz
Individuals implicated in massive corruption exposed in a recent joint investigation by RFE/RL’s Radio Azattyk, OCCRP, and Kloop have hit back with a lawsuit.
Kazakhstan on China’s Diplomatic Silk Road
By Catherine Putz
A new report highlights Kazakhstan as receiving the greatest volume and diversity of Beijing’s public diplomacy activities in South and Central Asia.