Central Asia

Car Protests Gain Wider Significance

Gas Find Comes at Human Cost

In their haste to confirm the discovery of a massive gas deposit, Turkmen government officials may have contributed to an accident that left two workers and ten others in hospital with burns. Although the blast occurred in early November, news of the casu

Turkey a Magnet for Migrant Workers

High unemployment in Turkmenistan is forcing thousands of people to work as illegal migrants in Turkey.

Turkmen Army Unfit for Service

Army recruiters in Turkmenistan will take anyone, no matter how unfit, to fill the ranks of an army whose main job is to provide a free labour force. IWPR has learned that the military is even calling up people with disabilities in its desperate attempt t

Teachers Face Unusual Exam

A new government initiative in Turkmenistan appears designed to cut teachers’ salaries by setting them standards which many will fail to meet.

NGOs Denied Legal Status

The government of Turkmenistan appears to be taking the easiest route to controlling the country’s non-government organisations, NGOs – denying them registration.

WTO Membership on the Horizon

New Gold Find Unlikely to Alter Overall Slowing of Growth

Turkmen-Iran Free Trade Zone Withers

Hopes that business and cultural links would be boosted have been dashed by lack of interest from both Turkmen and Iranian governments.

Pilgrims' Protest in Kyrgyzstan

Claims and counter-claims of wrongdoing in the Muslim clerical establishment are a symptom of an organisation in need of change.