Kazak Election Law Fails to Impress
New legislation looks good on paper but opponents say will do nothing to make elections fairer.
22 Feb 05
Russia
Moscow Extradites Controversial Tajik Politician
Russia sends former interior minister back to uncertain fate in Tajikistan.
22 Feb 05
Kazakstan Treads Political Tightrope
Will Kazakstan choose to curry favour with Putin's Russia or continue to pander to her generous American sponsors?
22 Feb 05
An Opposition Enigma in Kyrgyzstan
Can Felix Kulov, a former vice-president and ex-mayor of Bishkek, muster a serious presidential challenge to the incumbent Askar Akaev? Political observers in Bishkek certainly think so.
22 Feb 05
Kyrgyz General Blames Fighting on Drug Barons
Russian and Central Asian troops are to launch joint military exercises this month in anticipation of fresh incursions across the Kyrgyz-Tajik border
22 Feb 05
Turkey Holds out Olive Branch
Turkish-Uzbek relations have been frosty ever since Tashkent accused Ankara of sheltering suspected terrorists
22 Feb 05
Kyrgyz Army in Crisis
The lessons learned in two recent military campaigns have failed to usher major reforms of the cash-strapped Kyrgyz army
22 Feb 05
Almaty Faces Provincial Obscurity
Analysts speculate that President Nazarbaev is attempting to rein in an old political rival by removing his powerbase in southern Kazakstan
22 Feb 05
Kazak Army Reforms 'Unrealistic'
Military experts are sceptical about government plans to overhaul the armed forces
22 Feb 05
Gas Guarantees Tashkent Political Leverage
Uzbekistan's neighbours are seeking alternative energy sources in an effort to escape dependence on Tashkent
22 Feb 05
Support local journalists