Region
Central Asia
In Uzbekistan, Residents Complain of Poor Quality in Rural Housing Projects
By Gulnoz Mamarasulova
Affordable housing projects funded by foreign investment are an important initiative to benefit low-income families in need of housing, especially in rural areas, but there are several challenges.
Central Asia’s Rare Earths May Fuel Energy Transition
By Wilder Alejandro Sánchez
If rare earth elements are the crude oil of the 21st century, then Central Asia and Mongolia may be the Saudi Arabias of these strategic minerals.
Big Promises on the Kyrgyz-Tajik Border
By Catherine Putz
Kyrgyz and Tajik officials say they're close to agreement on the entirety of their long-disputed border.
Why Do Central Asian Governments Keep Failing the Region’s Women?
By Catherine Putz
Women in Central Asia “feel unsafe everywhere,” says Svetlana Dzardanova, with recent horrific attacks drawing attention again to a very old problem.
Why the Middle Corridor Is a Double-Edged Sword
By Seamus Duffy
Europe is pushing hard to advance the Middle Corridor, but other countries like China, Russia, Iran, and Azerbaijan will almost certainly benefit from the infrastructure being built.
The West Is Eying Closer Relations With Central Asia
By Mark Temnycky
It’s been a busy year for Central Asia, with numerous Western diplomats swinging through the region or welcoming Central Asian delegations in their own capitals.
Tajikistan and the Taliban: A Lone Voice in Central Asia
By Shanthie Mariet D’Souza
Tajikistan is the strongest critic of the Taliban in Central Asia and continues to host dialogues featuring a diversity of Afghan voices.
Karakalpak Activist Deprived of Kazakh Citizenship
By Catherine Putz
Uzbek authorities have told Kazakh authorities that Urazbayev never officially renounced his Uzbek citizenship and therefore Kazakh authorities have revoked his Kazakh citizenship.
A Tale of 2 Uzbek Bloggers: Arifhojaev Freed, Khaidarov Jailed
By Catherine Putz
Uzbek bloggers Fazilhoja Arifhojaev and Olimjon Khaidarov occupy vastly different ends of the blogger spectrum, but they illustrate the limits of free speech in Uzbekistan.
A Year Behind Bars: Release Tajikistani Human Rights Defender Manuchehr Kholiqnazarov
By Alva Omarova
On December 9, 2022, after a closed-door trial, the lawyer and human rights defender was sentenced to 16 years’ imprisonment.
Amid Protests, Kyrgyzstan Delays New Tax Regulations
By Catherine Putz
But President Sadyr Japarov has also made clear that change -- and cash registers -- are coming to the country's bazaars one way or another.
A Letter to Dushanbe: US Senator Urges Tajikistan to End Repression
By Catherine Putz
Tajikistan is among the world’s worst perpetrators of transnational repression.