Tajikistan: Free Press in Financial Crisis
Upcoming curbs on advertising could finish off many independent papers.
22 Feb 05
North Ossetia
Velvet Discrimination in Kyrgyzstan
Some Russians say they no longer feel they belong, as parliament debates a law to give Kyrgyz language a greater role.
22 Feb 05
When Ahmad was Alexander
Not all the Soviet soldiers came home when the war in Afghanistan ended in 1989.
22 Feb 05
Kazak Election Law Fails to Impress
New legislation looks good on paper but opponents say will do nothing to make elections fairer.
22 Feb 05
Kazakstan Treads Political Tightrope
Will Kazakstan choose to curry favour with Putin's Russia or continue to pander to her generous American sponsors?
22 Feb 05
An Opposition Enigma in Kyrgyzstan
Can Felix Kulov, a former vice-president and ex-mayor of Bishkek, muster a serious presidential challenge to the incumbent Askar Akaev? Political observers in Bishkek certainly think so.
22 Feb 05
Almaty Faces Provincial Obscurity
Analysts speculate that President Nazarbaev is attempting to rein in an old political rival by removing his powerbase in southern Kazakstan
22 Feb 05
Kazak Army Reforms 'Unrealistic'
Military experts are sceptical about government plans to overhaul the armed forces
22 Feb 05
IMF Under Fire in Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyz are bitter over what they see as crippling IMF credit conditions
22 Feb 05
Samarkand Kids Abandoned
Impoverished Uzbek women are finding it so hard to get by that they are abandoning their children.
22 Feb 05
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