Kazak Authorities Reluctant to Allow Public Protests

Concerns that rights to free assembly are under threat as Almaty protesters are told they can gather, but only if they do so well away from the city centre.

Armenian Speaker Quits

Resignation of parliamentary chairman may be a prelude to a bid for the presidency.

Kyrgyz Police Prepare for Election Unrest

Opposition says special training for police is intended to crush legitimate protest.

Caucasus: Building Capacity

Azerbaijan Seeks New Energy Partners

A steep rise in Russian gas prices is making Azerbaijan and its South Caucasian neighbours look for new energy sources.

Uzbek Government Repression Feeds Instability

Misusing Hate Speech Laws in Central Asia

Regimes are jumping on an anti-incitement bandwagon to silence critics.

Muslim Volunteers Swell Chechen Forces

Russians tighten up security in the Chechen lowlands as rebel forces announce the start of the spring campaign

Bitola Spirit Crushed

Bitola is seething with ethnic tensions following recent rioting by Macedonian mobs