Central Asia

Kyrgyz authorities are moving to shut down the nonprofit Kloop Media Foundation, which includes the independent news outlet Kloop.kg. Founded in 2007, Kloop.kg is one of the country's leading journalism outlets, known for its investigations into corruption schemes. © Monica Ellena

Kyrgyz Authorities Move to Shut Down Independent News Outlet

Investigative publication Kloop is the latest target of authorities’ campaign against independent media and critical voices.

18 Sep 23

Kyrgyz activist Altyn Kapalova won a three year-long battle to give her three children her name instead of their father's, breaking rooted patriarchal norms in the country. The Constitutional Court's ruling in her favour sparked a heated debate in society. © Altyn Kapalova

Fight Over Matronymics Sparks Political Battle in Kyrgyzstan

President proposes revision of Constitutional Court decision after ruling allows mother to give her name to her children.

4 Sep 23

Aleksandr Kablov moved to the settlement in 2017. A shift worker at Kazakstan’s oil and gas fields of Tengiz and Karachganak, the 40-year-old lives there when he is on holiday. © Talgat Umarov

Kazakstan’s Eco-settlers: Turning Barren Land Into Forest

A group seeking an alternative way of life started planting trees; two decades on, they have created an oasis.

18 Aug 23

A delegation of Afghanistan's ministry of economic development checked the development of the Qosh Tepa, an irrigation canal, which will direct the water from the Amu Darya river to the country's arid northern region. The conduit however will reduce the supply for downstream Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, which rely heavily on the river. © Afghanistan's deputy minister of economic development

Water Conflicts Loom in Central Asia

An ambitious infrastructure project in Afghanistan risks exacerbating scarcities in Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan.

4 Aug 23

In recent months, Central Asian migrants have increasingly suffered at the hands of the Russian state. © Carsten Koall/Getty Images

Pressure on Central Asian Migrants in Russia Grows

Reports suggest that authorities are forcing workers to choose between deportation or fighting in Ukraine.

26 Jul 23

In Aktau, the capital of Kazakstan’s western Mangystau region, the Caspian Sea has receded dozens of metres away from the city and kilometres away from the northern coast. © Talgat Umarov

Kazakstan’s Alarm as Caspian Sea Shrinks

Islands have appeared in the world’s largest inland body of water, heightening concerns about its future.

19 Jul 23

Well drilling in the outskirts of Bishkek. The water supply system in Kyrgyzstan's capital is considered obsolete and experts note that substantial renovation is needed to avoid water losses. © IWPR Central Asia

Bishkek Water Shortages Highlight Poor Management

Obsolete infrastructure and bad planning mean issues already aggravated by climate change have got more serious.

13 Jul 23

Father Konstantin, 30, is Kazakstan’s only priest of the Old Believers. Also called Old Ritualists, they are Eastern Orthodox Christians who maintain the practices of the Russian Orthodox Church as they were before the reform introduced by Patriarch Nikon of Moscow in the 17th century. © Talgat Umarov

Kazakstan’s Shrinking Community of Old Believers

A young priest keeps ancient rituals alive in his tiny parish.

11 Jul 23

Shavkat Mirziyoyev has served as President of Uzbekistan and Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Uzbekistan since 2016. © Sean Gallup/Getty Images

Uzbekistan’s Election Campaign Lacks Intrigue and Real Opposition

The presidential vote is likely to quietly legitimise the incumbent and consolidate his position.

27 Jun 23

Following his re-election on May 29, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan now looks set to continue a regional policy that has included expanding trade and economic cooperation, improving connectivity and reaching markets in Central Asia and beyond. © Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

Turkey and Central Asia’s Growing Partnership

Erdoğan’s win marks continuity in Turkish economic and political engagement with the region.

8 Jun 23

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