Region
Central Asia
Kyrgyz MPs Resurrect Bid to Brand NGOs ‘Foreign’ Agents
By Catherine Putz
The new attempt uses the phrase "foreign representative" but the implications are the same for Kyrgyzstan's largely foreign-funded NGOs.
Wildfire in Kazakhstan Sparks Corruption Complaints
By Catherine Putz
Clearing out entrenched corruption – abetted by an autocratic system in which the roads that are paved are those the president walks on – is a monumental task.
It’s Karimov Era 2.0 for Muslims in Uzbekistan
By Madina Amin
A new wave of arrests in Uzbekistan have centered on religious lectures, songs, and social media posts, calling up memories of the not-so-distant Karimov era.
Who Benefits From the Eurasian Economic Union?
By Elvira Aidarkhanova
Russia needs the support of its "old friends" more than ever and views the EAEU as a vehicle for that support.
Era of the First President Waning Further in Kazakhstan With Office Closure
By Catherine Putz
With the expected closure of the Office of the First President, de-Nazarbayevification marches on.
What’s the Status of Plans to Export Russian Gas to Uzbekistan?
By Catherine Putz
Moscow’s needs are more immediate, giving Tashkent time and space to negotiate.
EU-Central Asia Leaders’ Meeting Latest to Highlight Region’s Geopolitical Centrality
By Catherine Putz
Last year, the EU’s meeting with Central Asian leaders followed their summit with Putin; this year it trailed their meeting with Xi.
Hobbled Economic Prospects in Central Asia
By Catherine Putz
Emerging economies are “struggling just to cope,” the World Bank says. The latest Global Economic Prospects report notes slight improvements but many risks.
Brooklyn Lawyers Abuse Asylum System in Advising Clients to Fraudulently Claim LGBTQ Persecution
By Catherine Putz
Taking advantage of the very real persecution of the LGBTQ community in Russia and across much of the former Soviet Union, a pair of lawyers conspired to commit immigration fraud.
Uzbekistan Supreme Court Issues Ruling on Karakalpakstan Appeals
By Catherine Putz
Tazhimuratov’s 16-year sentence was upheld while terms of others were either reduced or shifted to house arrest.
Afghanistan-Iran Complete First Trial Run of Khaf-Herat Railway
By Sophia Nina Burna-Asefi
The two countries, faced with sanctions and political isolation, are not completely isolated from global networks.
Kyrgyz Opposition Leader Madumarov Again Under Pressure
By Catherine Putz
For the second time in just over a year, Kyrgyzstan’s prosecutor general has sought to strip opposition politician Adakhan Madumarov’s immunity so he can be prosecuted.