Central Asia

Helmand Gets a Lifeline

Buoyed by new airstrip, some officials hope to see tourists – but realists just pleased they can export local produce.

Belarus Seeks to Deal Direct With Ashgabat

Concern at Falling Bank Assets in Uzbekistan

Uzbeks Still Wary of Regional Security Bloc

Turkmen, Russians Divided Over Gas

Uzbekistan; New Election Rules Kick in Later This Year

Tajiks Struggle to Cope With Flood Damage

Government lacks resources to handle multiple disasters.

Uzbek Border Lockdown After Andijan Violence

Traffic and trade with Kyrgyzstan halts as uneasy calm settles in Uzbek east.

Children's Home Run on a Shoestring

A residential school in southeast Tajikistan is so short of cash that it spends less than six US cents a day on feeding each child.

Tajik Parties Campaign Against Election Deposits

As political parties in Tajikistan gear up for next year’s parliamentary election, a campaign is under way to reduce the deposit candidates must pay.