Regime

UN delegation at the Bab al-Hawa, Syria–Turkey border crossing located in northwest Syria, 14 Feb 2023. © Ali Haj Suleiman

Syrian Activists Condemn “Failure” of UN Aid Efforts

Fears that Damascus regime had politicised delivery of humanitarian relief to areas outside its control.

16 Feb 23

A photo collage with 12 of the 24 Kyrgyz activists detained for protesting against the agreement Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan signed to finalise the border demarcation. The deal includes a land swap that assigns to Uzbekistan the Kampir-Abad water reservoir. © Kloop.kg

Kyrgyzstan Seals Border Deal, Dissenters Remain in Jail

Protests against the land swaps the agreement entails have led to a heavy-handed response.

9 Feb 23

Nasha Niva, Belarus' oldest newspaper, was banned in November 2021 and declared an extremist formation in January 2022 as part of a continuous crackdown on journalists and government's critics. © Monica Ellena/IWPR

Belarus’ Oldest Outlet Epitomises Struggle for Press Freedom

In one of the world’s most dangerous countries for reporters, mere dissent can lead to years in jail.

27 Jan 23

Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev (right) with Vasif Talibov (left), now former governor of Nakhchivan in an official meeting in 2017. On December 21, 2022 Talibov resigned from his ruling position in the country’s remote enclave after 27 years. The 62-year-old cited health concerns, but rumours had been circulating that the central government in Baku sought greater control on the region. © Azerbaijan’s Presidential Press and Information Office

Azerbaijan: “The Sultan” Steps Down

Longtime ruler of autonomous enclave resigns on health concerns, but observers maintain his exit was on Baku’s orders.

24 Jan 23

Uzbekistan’s state prosecutor requested long jail terms for 22 activists and journalists accused of fomenting the July unrest that shook Nukus, the administrative centre of Uzbekistan's north-western region of Karakalpakstan in July 2022. © Uzbekistan's Supreme Court

Prosecutor Demands Long Sentences for Karakalpakstan Protesters

Trial of 22 defendants enters final stages amid concerns of bias and lack of transparency.

20 Jan 23

A woman takes part in a Women's March on August 13, 2020 in Minsk, Belarus. There have been nightly protests since the presidential election, in which President Alexander Lukashenko claimed victory and another term in his 26-year rule of the country. Preliminary results gave him 80% of the vote, which opposition candidates alleged is a rigged count. © Misha Friedman/Getty Images

Flower Power: Women Prisoners in Belarus

The combined sentences of those jailed in demonstrations amount to nearly 500 years.

18 Jan 23

A screenshot of some of the televised forced confessions of Belarus' railway employees detained in March 2022 for their actions in support of Ukraine.

Belarus’ Epidemic of Public Shaming

Security services use TV confessions to spread fear and promote public self-censorship.

6 Dec 22

Belarus’ long-time foreign minister Vladimir Makei suddenly passed away on 27 Nov 2022. © Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus - mfa.gov.by

Belarus Bids Farewell to Its Top Diplomat

Architect of Minsk’s multi-vector foreign policy dies as country faces pressure from the Kremlin to step up role in Ukraine.

30 Nov 22

Kasym-Zhomart Tokayev votes in the the snap presidential election on November 20, 2022. © Official website of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Akorda.kz

Kazakstan: Same President, New Reforms?

The incumbent has promised change, but prospects for a more democratic system are not promising.

22 Nov 22

Kremlin's influence over Centra Asia seems to be waning following Russia's war against Ukraine. © Julmin/Creative Commons

Will We See a Sovereign Central Asia?

As Moscow’s grip falters, and Beijing ups its influence, the region is seeing intriguing moves towards collective agreement and integration.

14 Nov 22

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