Region
Central Asia
Why Investing in Water Storage Matters in Mongolia’s Gobi Desert
By Bolormaa Purevjav
The country's livestock and mining sectors depend on water. What can Ulaanbaatar do to ensure both have the access they need for decades to come?
Online Bride and Prejudice in Uzbek Society
By Niginakhon Saida and Zukhra Rakhmatullaeva
As matchmatching moves online in Uzbekistan, bigoted preferences are more apparent than ever.
Revisiting Uzbekistan’s Progress on Religious Freedom
By Catherine Putz
Five years ago, Uzbekistan began re-engaging with the U.N. on matters of religious freedom. What progress has been made, and what remains to be done?
Kazakhstan and Afghanistan Seek to Realign Bilateral Ties
By Sophia Nina Burna-Asefi
For Kazakhstan, supporting economic development along the north-south axis would see Afghanistan becoming a bridge, not a barrier.
Taliban’s Diplomatic Presence Growing in Central Asia
By Catherine Putz
The Taliban have gained access to some of the erstwhile Afghan Republic's embassies and consulates in Central Asia. The consulate in Tajikistan's Khorog may be the latest.
Tackling Central Asia’s Remaining Development Challenges
By Evgeny Vinokurov and Anton Malakhov
The region needs to overcome four key structural challenges: lack of access to the sea, low level of development of the financial sector, lack of water and energy coordination, and climate change.
India-Pakistan Tensions Flare Up Within SCO
By Catherine Putz
All eyes are on a series of critical meetings hosted by India in the lead up to the planned SCO Summit in July.
Turkmenistan Votes for New, Opposition-free Parliament
By Associated Press
All of the candidates support President Serdar Berdymuhamedov and his father, Gurbanguly.
New Hopes for Old Projects? China Gears Up Rail Efforts With Kazakhstan
By Sophia Nina Burna-Asefi
China seeks easier trade access to European markets by developing its rail network with Kazakhstan and trialing the Middle Corridor.
Hopes for Renewal Disappointed Again in Kazakhstan
By Paolo Sorbello
Political manipulations stripped the people of the choice they were promised in Kazakhstan’s latest parliamentary election.
Low Turnout and a Victory for Kazakhstan’s Ruling Party in Parliamentary Polls
By Catherine Putz
Despite hundreds of independent self-nominated candidates, Kazakhstan’s new parliament will much resemble its former self.
Joyful and Angry: A Feminist Demonstration in Kazakhstan
By Paolo Sorbello
Pressured not to hold a march, feminist groups in Almaty gathered in their hundreds for a rally anyway.