Life

Nursultan Nazarbayev ruled Kazakstan between 1991 and 2019. Over three decades the former president and his inner circle, accused of corruption and nepotism, have built a cult of personality around him. © elbasy.kz

Kazakstan: Nazarbayev’s Fading Personality Cult

Since 1991, the ex-leader has become identified with the state itself, but his status is now crumbling.

11 Feb 22

A view of central Kazakstan's capital Nur-Sultan, with the 105-metre tall Baiterek tower on the horizon. Previously known as Astana, meaning "capital city" in Kazakh, the city of 1 million was renamed on 20 March 2019 as a tribute to the long-ruling Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev, shortly after his resignation. © Leon Neal - Pool/Getty Images

Kazakstan: Will Nur-Sultan City Be Renamed?

Calls for reinstatement of “Astana” as ex-leader continues to be blamed for legacy of corruption and inequality.

31 Jan 22

Hasan has been living and studying in Georgia since 2013. After marrying a local, he decided to stay and apply for a residency permit in 2019 only to be denied. Since then, he has been involved in a three year long appeal process to overturn the decision. © Hasan

Georgia: Are Migrants a Threat to Society?

Citizens from the Middle East, Africa and Asia say that they are being routinely discriminated against when applying for residency.

18 Jan 22

Kazak president Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. © Akorda.kz

Kazakstan: Tokayev’s Ascent to True Power

The career diplomat’s slow, hierarchical advancement has finally lead to real authority.

14 Jan 22

Ukrainian soldiers walk past destroyed buildings on the front line on December 8, 2021 in Marinka, Ukraine. A build-up of Russian troops along the border with Ukraine has heightened worries that Russia intends to invade the Donbas region. © Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images

Ukrainians Fatalistic Amid Fears of Russian Invasion

“Where could we flee? We have nothing to lose.”

12 Jan 22

Kamil Bashatov, 51, arrived in eastern Ukraine in 1989 from Uzbekistan. He wishes his children could move to Turkey, but if the security situation allows it, he would rather remain in Ukraine. His house bears the scars of heavy artillery from the 2014 fighting between the Ukrainian army and Russia-backed armed forces for the control of Sloviansk. © Ismayil Fataliyev

Meskhetian Turks Hope to Leave Ukraine’s Frontline for Turkey

As fears of Russian invasion mount, many see their future in a potential resettlement scheme.

6 Jan 22

A pressure guage stands on a pipe at the Dashava natural gas facility in Dashava, Ukraine. © Sean Gallup/Getty Images

Ukraine Faces Winter Energy Crisis

Analysts fear that Russia may become the country’s only possible electricity supplier.

3 Dec 21

Melik Khachatryan, 61, shares a room with Yeghoyan and is waiting for the chance to be vaccinated.

Armenia: Homeless Amid the Pandemic

It’s hard to protect yourself from the virus without proper facilities.

30 Nov 21

A military cemetery in Yerevan where Armenian soldier's are buried.

Armenia: Mothers Bereaved by War Offered IVF

Amid trauma of defeat, there has been little discussion of the ethical implications of state-sponsored programme.

15 Nov 21

Stills from TikTok’s Labour Cinema.

How TikTok is Giving Turkey’s Working Class a Voice

“I want to give the social message that everyone is equal, that’s the goal of my videos.”

10 Nov 21

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