Protests Against Chinese Traders
Competition from over the border riles small-time traders as well as bigger businessmen.
21 Feb 05
Central Asia
Turkmenistan: Good as Gold
Subservience to president reaches absurd levels as officials treat impromptu comments as repressive law.
21 Feb 05
Turkmen Travel Ban Fuels Corruption
People on overseas travel blacklist bribe venal officials and hire smugglers to get out of the country.
21 Feb 05
Kyrgyz Officials Send Pre-Election Warning
Protesters' arrests seen as signal that authorities won't put up with unrest in advance of next year's elections.
21 Feb 05
Uzbekistan: Affluent Suicide Bombers
Alarming evidence that some of those involved in recent violence were from middle-class homes with no history of Islamic radicalism.
21 Feb 05
Kazakstan: Building a Future
No one denies the need for affordable housing - the question is whether the government can deliver on its promises to build it.
21 Feb 05
Kyrgyzstan's Cautious Mullahs
Religious leaders follow government line in imposing controls on Islamic activism.
21 Feb 05
Uzbekistan: Softly, Softly
Police try to modify fearsome image after being deliberately targeted in attacks.
21 Feb 05
Tajikistan: Concern at New Islamic Group
Despite keeping a watchful eye on Islamic groups, officials say they failed to notice a radical organisation until the killing of a Christian preacher.
21 Feb 05
Kyrgyz Villagers Scorn Landslide Threat
People in the south of the republic are refusing to leave for safer areas despite latest landslide deaths.
21 Feb 05
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