Stories about Central Asia & Caucasus
Independent media wage losing battle against censorship in Azerbaijan
Since 2017, independent and opposition online news outlets have faced censorship via blocking on spurious grounds.
In Georgia, a new political alliance looks to the future
The new political alliance was announced at a turbulent time. Since the previous parliamentary election in 2020, Georgian domestic politics have been engulfed in a political crisis.
Little Suad received a letter from her father detained in Azerbaijan
Hasanli was sentenced on November 21, 2023, to four months’ pre-trial detention on a charge of “smuggling foreign currency.” If convicted he is facing a possible eight-year prison sentence.
‘Am Abgrund’: The story of Azerbaijan's influence in Europe
The movie, which exposes corruption both within Azerbaijan and in numerous European countries, comes at a time of deteriorating ties between Azerbaijan and the West.
Natural disasters in Mongolia grow worse and threaten the future of nomadic way of life
Although it is animals that die during dzud, these disasters affect the entire nation.
Kyrgyzstan’s security chief is on a mission to solve every problem in the country
Tashiev’s current post is by far the highest and most powerful he has held over his decades-long political career.
Anger and grief as Russians in Armenia and Georgia mourn Navalny’s death
At the time of writing this story, at least 387 people have been detained at events across 39 Russian cities since Navalny's death, according to the Russian human rights group OVD-Info.
A deep dive into the musical repertoire of Turkmenistan’s national leader
A major part of Berdimukhamedov’s personality cult has been his musical career.
Azerbaijan's measure to silence critics: The case of Gubad Ibadoglu
Ibadoglu started a foundation to sponsor Azerbaijani students wanting to study abroad. It was funded by donations and money that was confiscated from Azerbaijani elites in corruption and money laundering cases.
Armenia and Azerbaijan: The most recent flare up puts peace prospects on the backburner
Whether these recent developments further derail prospects for peace depends on steps taken in the coming months. For now, peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan is hanging by a thread.
For nomads in Mongolia, roaming is a sacred right
The Mongols say that this is why freedom is in their blood.
Presidential election in Azerbaijan show old habits die hard
This election was business as usual in Azerbaijan with manipulation and violations, including carousel voting, ballot stuffing, and aggressive behavior toward independent observers and journalists throughout the day.
The Baku Connection: Journalists across the world unite to support Azerbaijan's Abzas Media
Some 40 journalists from 15 media outlets have joined the project since its launch as Abzas Media team who started the investigations, await trial in Baku.
Azerbaijan: Competition-free vote to settle Aliyev’s grip on power
"Each round of flawed elections was a lost opportunity for Azerbaijan to step away from post-Soviet autocracy towards democracy."
Tajikistan’s president’s son is the man behind the national football team’s success at the Asian Cup
The national team’s heroics will breathe confidence and optimism into everyone implementing the national football development program called “Orzu-2026” (Dream-2026).
In Georgia cabinet reshuffling begins after former Prime Minister returns to politics
With eight months left ahead of parliamentary election in Georgia, it remains to be seen what Ivanishvili's intentions truly are.
In Kazakhstan, ‘Bloody January’ is still a taboo topic
"The authorities do not need to dwell on this topic, because why would they? They killed people, tortured them — why [would they revisit this]?"
Uzbekistan’s repression survivors tell their harrowing stories in a new documentary
This is one of the first attempts to tell the story of more than 18,000 people who were jailed on trumped-up charges and labelled “extremists” by Uzbekistan's Karimov government.
Serbian media blame Armenian ‘betrayal’ of Russia for the fall of Nagorno-Karabakh
Serbian pro-government and pro-Russia media systematically promoted a narrative that the Western-oriented Armenian authorities gave up Nagorno-Karabakh by turning their foreign and security policy against Russia.
Why are Afghans still seeking out the ‘weakest’ passport in the world?
Acquiring the Afghan passport — the world’s weakest passport — demands substantial patience and skill in navigating bureaucratic hurdles.
Council of Europe members vote to suspend Azerbaijan
The credentials of Azerbaijan's delegation at PACE were challenged on the grounds the country failed to meet "major commitments" as part of its membership to the Council of Europe.