Central Asia

Uzbekistan: Classics Turned into Toilet Paper

Huge quantities of old books are being pulped as a result of decrees forbidding their export and ideological purges of the country's libraries.

21 Feb 05

A long-running territorial dispute with Uzbekistan is fraying Kazak nerves.

21 Feb 05

Impoverished city dwellers found rich pickings in leftovers from the US airbase until Bishkek's sanitary inspectors stepped in.

21 Feb 05

The Kyrgyz government is facing escalating unrest sparked by the arrest of two prominent politicians.

21 Feb 05

Uzbek migrant workers are prepared to put up with rough treatment in Russia to escape the economic misery of their homeland.

21 Feb 05

Access to some of the world's cheapest and purest heroin has seen addiction rates soar.

21 Feb 05

Astana hopes support for US strategic goals will prompt Washington to turn a blind eye to flagrant persecution of opposition groups.

21 Feb 05

The resignation of the Kyrgyz government over the deaths of demonstrators in Aksy is unlikely to ease tensions in the country.

21 Feb 05

Kyrgyzstan detectives catch four officials dealing in one of the most endangered species in the world, raising fears of widespread corruption.

21 Feb 05

Prominent Washington analyst downplays Central Asia's strategic and geopolitical value.

21 Feb 05

Support local journalists