Central Asia

Four opposition candidates, in anticipation of a second round run-off for the presidency, have pledged to unite behind a single candidate. But Sadyr Japarov is the favorite to win in the first round.

Tomato pests, quickly forgotten, suggest the brief ban on some Uzbek imports was of a political nature.

How did I do on my outlook for Central Asia 2020? (Spoiler: I didn't know there'd be a pandemic)

When asked in early December which politicians they trusted, 48 percent of surveyed Kyrgyz said Sadyr Japarov -- 31 percent said they trusted no politicians.

Why bother analyzing elections in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan if we think we know the results?

Genuine reform takes place not through quashing free thinkers and critics but in encouraging and even embracing them. 

Uzbekistan launches trials of a Chinese vaccine, but purchases Russian vaccine.

The Iranian port of Chabahar has the potential to shift some of the regional dynamics in India’s favor. 

Will the Biden administration finally end the U.S. presence in Afghanistan?

Uzbekistan undoubtedly needs to continue implementing recent initiated reforms, but its progress is promising.

"Despite obvious advancement in reforms in various spheres, one direction of reforms remains very slow: it is the sphere of political reforms."

Uzbekistan has made enormous progress in eliminating forced labor, but has yet to fully eradicate it.