Region
Central Asia
Kyrgyzstan’s Worrying New Limits on Dissent
By Colleen Wood
Kyrgyzstan’s president continues to sharpen the country’s legal code as a tool to limit dissent.
Vaccinations Progress Slowly in Central Asia
By Catherine Putz
For myriad reasons, vaccination programs in Central Asia are proceeding slowly. Hesitancy is one factor.
US Afghan Envoy Visits Uzbekistan, Tajikistan
By Catherine Putz
As the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan begins, some suspect Washington is looking for nearby basing options.
Uzbek Blogger Bazarov Under House Arrest Facing Libel Charges
By Catherine Putz
A month after being brutally beaten, Bazarov was released from the hospital and swiftly charged for insulting his old school in an October 2020 TikTok video.
Explaining the Evolution of Turkmenistan’s Assembly Bodies
By Rustam Muhamedov
Power consolidation and the institutional transformations of Turkmenistan’s assembly bodies.
Violent Clashes at the Troublesome Kyrgyzstan-Tajikistan Border
By Catherine Putz
Last week’s violence was some of the worst the border has seen, with more than 40 killed.
Russia, Central Asian States Worry About Instability in Afghanistan
By Umida Hashimova
Military officials in Russia and Central Asia agree to unite efforts as they prepare for a worsening of the situation in Afghanistan.
Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan Trade Blame for Cross-border Shelling
By Associated Press
Reportedly one Kyrgyz man has been killed in the clashes over a long-unsettled border between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.
Nations in Transit: Central Asia Remains Locked in Consolidated Authoritarianism
By Catherine Putz
Another bad year for democracy across the former Soviet Union, with Kyrgyzstan slipping further into authoritarianism too.
India-Kyrgyzstan Hold Bilateral Military Exercise Khanjar
By Catherine Putz
Special forces troops from India and Kyrgyzstan started a two-week exercise outside Bishkek on April 16.
What Tajik Gold Smuggling Bust Tells Us About Afghanistan
By Catherine Putz
As uncertainty persists in Afghanistan, some will seek to smuggle cash and gold out via Central Asia.
US Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan Nominated for Higher-level State Department Position
By Catherine Putz
Biden has nominated U.S. Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan Donald Lu for assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asia.