Central Asia

Competition Provides Support for Rights Journalism

Afghan Pipeline Dream One Step Closer

Analysts see Pakistani support as key to guaranteeing security of pipeline through insurgent heartlands.

Uzbekistan: "Islamist" Tag Used to Extort Money

Uzbeks Pressured to Take Up Farming

Kazak Police Threaten Dissidents With Psychiatric Confinement

Image-conscious government avoids labelling critics as mentally unstable, but police in provinces still use forcible committal as threat.

Deep Rifts Remain in Conflict-Torn Kyrgyzstan

Tajik Government has Islamic Party in its Sights

Kazak Rights Defenders to Raise Uzbek Refugee Concerns

Uzbekistan's Economic Dilemma

Authorities want to boost private sector to offset raw materials dependence – but will the strategy work?

Turkmen Leader Tries Common Touch