Region
Central Asia

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.

Uzbekistan’s Educational Challenge: Scaling up for a Booming Population
By Niginakhon Saida and Sher Khashimov
Can Uzbekistan’s education system accommodate the growing number of students amid rapid population growth?

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?

What Repercussions Are Tajiks Facing After the Moscow Terror Attack?
By Alex Little
While Tajiks in Russia have and will likely continue to face mistreatment and repression, this is not their first time weathering such a storm.

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.

Uzbekistan Aims to Allow Private Medical Institutions to Deliver Babies
By Niginakhon Saida
Child delivery and abortion are among the very few medical procedures that are exclusively conducted by state medical entities. That could change soon.

Turkey Ends Visa-Free Access for Tajik Citizens
By Catherine Putz
In the aftermath of the Crocus City Hall attack, Tajiks find their world shrinking further.

What Can Be Done to Boost Indonesia-Central Asia Relations?
By Jeniar Nelsus Mooy
Distance and weak connectivity are major challenges, but there is the potential for a stronger partnership that would benefit the two regions' people and business communities.

Erasing Memories, Concealing Evidence: China’s Efforts to Obscure the Uyghur Genocide
By Mamtimin Ala
The Uyghur genocide is gradually and silently fading away, as if it never occurred in the first place.

Islamic State Escalates Anti-Russian Militant Campaign
By Peter Smith, Lucas Webber, and Colin P. Clarke
The Islamic State organization and its violent progeny, ISKP, have viewed Moscow as their enemy since the group’s inception.

After Attack in Russia, Focus Turns to ISKP in Afghanistan and Central Asia
By Shanthie Mariet D’Souza
The focus on and understanding of ISKP’s core area in Afghanistan and Pakistan needs to be expanded to include the large frontiers of Central Asia.

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.