Region
Central Asia
Talk of Gas Unions Riles Up Turkmenistan
By Catherine Putz
What compelled a Turkmen foreign ministry official to push back on admittedly vague comments from a Russian foreign ministry official?
2 Karakalpak Activists Denied Asylum in Kazakhstan
By Catherine Putz
The two men – and three other detained Karakalpak activists – face the potential of being deported to Uzbekistan should their appeals fail.
Kyrgyzstan’s Path to Rearmament
By Francisco Olmos
Kyrgyzstan, a Central Asian country that once wanted to do away with its armed forces, has taken significant steps to rearm itself since the deadly 2021 clashes with neighboring Tajikistan.
Russian Military Recruitment Ads Reportedly Target Kazakhstan
By Catherine Putz
Russia is reportedly looking toward its Central Asian neighbor Kazakhstan for manpower as the war in Ukraine lurches toward its 18th month.
Uzbekistan: The Tourism Destination Where LGBTQ+ Dare Not Venture
By Alva Omarova
No one should be imprisoned for who they love. Yet in Uzbekistan, the authorities engage in ongoing criminal prosecution and cruel treatment of members of the LGBTQ+ community.
The War in Ukraine Is Catalyzing a Linguistic Awakening in Kazakhstan
By Jack Leydiker
As Russian forces pursue a physical war in Ukraine, a shadow war is being fought too: a war against the legacies of Russian imperialism.
After Spectacles in Karakalpak Civilian Trials, Uzbek Authorities Sentence 3 Law Enforcement Officers With Little Fanfare
By Catherine Putz
When civilians were put on trial in relation to the Karakalpakstan unrest, their names were known, their faces splattered across the media. We only have initials for the three law enforcement officers tried.
The Hujra Phenomenon: How Do Uzbekistan’s Children Learn About Islam?
By Niginakhon Saida
The apparently increasing number of hujra, clandestine religious classrooms, in Uzbekistan indicates a growing need for formal religious education that is not attainable for many at present.
Kyrgyzstan Declares an Energy Emergency and Looks to China for Support
By Catherine Putz
As Bishkek announces a three-year energy emergency, newly announced Chinese energy projects provide some hope – but when, and at what cost?
Kyrgyzstan’s Path to Peak Repayments to China: Context and Dilemmas
By Nargiza Muratalieva
Debts to China influence the domestic policies of Central Asia’s countries; Kyrgyzstan is a prime example.
What Fate Awaits Russians Detained in Central Asia, Awaiting Extradition?
By Catherine Putz
In one case, both the U.S. and Russia want a Russian citizen extradited, putting the states of Central Asia once again in the middle of a geopolitical mess.
Kyrgyzstan Opens the Door to Matronymics Amid Pushback – and a Power Grab?
By Colleen Wood
Some worry that the push for matronymics, the use of a second name derived from a person’s mother rather than their father, has enabled a concentration of presidential power.