Central Asia

Free Gifts Come at a Cost

Citizens of Turkmenistan are sceptical about President Saparmurat Niazov’s announcement that they will continue receiving free electricity, gas, water and salt until 2030. In reality, the limited scale of these benefits means people pay for all these thin

NGO Sector Under Scrutiny

Child Labour Belies Talk of Rights

Summit Fails to Deliver Roadmap for CIS Reform

Making Kyrgyzstan's Constitutional Reform Stick

The new constitution offers a real prospect of more accountable government, but political leaders may try to undermine the reform.

Russian Mining Giant Eyes Tajik Silver

Environmental Pledges Pointless Without Transparency

Kyrgyzstan Considers Total Abolition of Death Penalty

Wheat Exports to Double – but Kazakstan Could Do Better

Kyrgyzstan to Offer Dual Nationality