Region
Central Asia
Reality Check on Human Rights in Uzbekistan
By Hugh Williamson
Tashkent needs clear goals for a Human Rights Council term.
Swiss-Uzbek Agreement a Step Toward Returning Many Millions to Uzbekistan
By Catherine Putz
Can the Uzbek government ensure that those who participated in Gulnara Karimova’s corruption do not benefit from it once more?
Kazakh Activist’s ‘Fake News’ Conviction Upheld
By Catherine Putz
What concerns the Kazakh government isn’t “fake news” but its own fear that incompetence, pointed out, will undermine the current power structures.
Central Asia’s Refineries Under Scrutiny
By Paolo Sorbello
Kazakhstan's anti-monopoly agency fines the Atyrau refinery; Uzbekistan's Fergana refinery becomes loot for investors.
Field Set for Tajik Election, No Surprises
By Catherine Putz
With less than a month until election day, Rahmon stands prominently in a field of unsurprising candidates unlikely to rock the boat.
Kazakhstan’s Robin Hood: The Geopolitics of Sci-Hub
By Corissa Steiner
Sci-Hub, using legally dubious methods, makes academic research free to researchers worldwide. It is a win for Western academia.
The Need for an Enduring US Military Presence in Afghanistan
By Julian D. Alford and Amin Tarzi
U.S. interests in Afghanistan are enduring and will need to be safeguarded into the future.
After Another Reversal, 16 Parties Set to Stand in Kyrgyzstan’s Parliamentary Election
By Catherine Putz
Kyrgyzstan's Central Election Commission had another of its decisions to reject a party's registration reversed by a court.
Will Emomali Rahmon Have Any Serious Challengers for the Tajik Presidency?
By Catherine Putz
A 30-year-old Tajik lawyer declared his intention to run and was almost immediately questioned by the security services. Rahmon is unlikely to tolerate a genuine challenger.
Pandemic Slows Central Asia’s Gas Exports to China
By Umida Hashimova
The economic slowdown in China, a result of the coronavirus pandemic, has affected the gas trade.
Survey Says: Kyrgyz Intend to Vote in October But Aren’t Sure For What Party
By Catherine Putz
A recent survey indicates that a majority of Kyrgyz intend to vote in October, but they aren't settled on what party they'll ultimately cast a ballot for.
Why Did Tajikistan Make an Appearance in the China Military Power Report?
By Catherine Putz
The U.S. Department of Defense included Tajikistan in a list of possible locations for future Chinese military facilities.