Stories about Central Asia & Caucasus
Georgia's infamous former Prime Minister returns to politics
Pundits say, Ivanishvili has been pulling Georgia's political strings from behind the scenes and his appointment as the "honorary chair" of the ruling Georgian Dream party is just temporary.
The descendants of Buryat migrants in Mongolia have no feelings towards Russia
The Buryats left the Soviet Union for Mongolia in three waves in the beginning of the 20th century.
Kazakhstan’s national identity is deeply connected to its food culture
Kazakhstan's modern cuisine has been significantly influenced by the eating habits of the peoples who were deported or moved to Kazakhstan.
What did Central Asian presidents talk about in their New Year's addresses?
These New Year's addresses provided a glimpse into Central Asian governments' perspectives on their countries' achievements and challenges.
‘Eternal president’ and transitionary motive in Azerbaijan’s snap election
Alongside repressions, or as a result of it, Azerbaijani leadership has over the past thirty years managed to acquire the passive acquiescence of different generations of the population.
In Azerbaijan, President Ilham Aliyev's family takes on farming as a new lucrative business venture
Among the companies engaged in farming in Karabakh are companies owned by the president's daughters, the head of the State Security Service, and the head of the president's security service.
Between four walls: The suppressed voices of peace in Azerbaijan
It’s a landscape where the very act of speaking out often comes at a steep cost, both in terms of personal sacrifice and the relentless pressure they face.
Will organized crime survive the government onslaught in Central Asia?
Organized crime groups in the region are retreating, but the question remains whether the government onslaught will succeed in eliminating their influence.
In Azerbaijan, an entire village was vacated for the President's son-in-law
Ten families were forced to relocate from their ancestral lands so that Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev's son-in-law could build an agrocomplex. Much of the project was funded by state financing.
Azerbaijan to host next UN Climate Summit
Azerbaijan’s relationship with environmental protesters has been complicated in the past year.
Kazakhstan’s ‘foreign agent’ list threatens NGOs
After the list was published in September, at least one NGO was singled out for extra financial scrutiny.
Head of Azerbaijan's Presidential Security Service implicated in corruption scandal
Baku's InterContinental hotel has a suspicious history. When the land around the hotel was put up for auction, the details of the land's address and size were purposefully blacked out.
Georgia embarks on a journey toward EU membership
The December 14 decision comes amid a growing rift between Georgia's ruling government and Western allies, as well as the local civil society groups that insist the government has failed to fulfill 12 priority conditions.
Kyrgyzstan’s parliament approves changing the national flag
The president has provided eyebrow raising explanations for changing the flag.
Battle of survival and expression in Jerusalem's Armenian Community
The Armenian community in Jerusalem, rooted in the fourth century, faces a dire battle for survival, grappling with challenges that threaten not only their freedom of expression but their very existence.
Kazakhstan’s ex-president releases a controversial memoir
Nazarbayev confirmed the long-stading rumors and admitted having an extramarital affair with Asel Isabayeva.
Uzbekistan celebrates reformist Jadid movement in the new documentary
It seems the Jadids' return to the public space will be long-term with the government using their legacy as means of inspiration.
Azerbaijan to hold a snap presidential election
What triggered the decision to call for an early snap election?
Turkmenistan remains unsafe for women
One in every six women experienced violence from their current or former partner, according to the first-ever national survey of domestic violence in 2020.
In Azerbaijan, five journalists arrested in ten days
The authorities failed to produce any evidence on the charges leveled against four Abzas Media journalists and in the case of arrested Kanal 13 journalist Aziz Orujov.
Numerous journalists connected to Azerbaijani news site arrested
At least three Azerbaijani journalists were arrested on November 20 from Abzas media in connection with corruption reporting. International press groups are calling for their release.
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