Politics
Turkmenistan: what future for TAPI pipeline after Taliban visit?
On 6 February 2021, a delegation from the Taliban visited the Turkmen capital, Ashgabat. The meeting, held with Turkmenistan’s foreign affairs minister Raşit Meredow, related to the construction of the… [...]
Kyrgyzstan to hold constitutional referendum in April
It’s official: Kyrgyzstan will choose whether or not to modify its constitution on 11 April. Parliament approved the bill making provisions for a referendum last week and the president, Sadyr… [...]
Uzbekistan: harassment incident underlines mistreatment of journalists
Since the death of long-time ruler Islam Karimov in 2016, Uzbekistan has seen greater media freedom under his successor Shavkat Mirziyoyev. However, recent cases of imprisonment, harassment, and the use… [...]
Turkmenistan’s president appoints his son deputy prime minister
As part of a government reshuffle, Turkmenistan’s president Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow has named his son Serdar deputy prime minister. The appointment comes after several months of speculation about the political rise… [...]
Kyrgyzstan: Ulukbek Maripov heads pared-down government
Kyrgyzstan’s new prime minister and his government officially took office last week. Ulukbek Maripov could go down in history as the last prime minister of Kyrgyzstan, as President Sadyr Japarov… [...]
Support Novastan, the European Central Asia magazine
By supporting Novastan, you are supporting the only English, French and German-language media specialising in Central Asia. We're independent and we need your help to stay that way![Newsletter] The last prime minister of Kyrgyzstan?
This is a copy of our newsletter dated 8 February 2021. Sign up here to receive it directly in your inbox every Monday. This newsletter is dedicated to post-Soviet… [...]
Rise and fall… and rise: the career of Kyrgyzstan’s Sadyr Japarov
Sadyr Japarov took office as president of Kyrgyzstan this Thursday. He is the country’s sixth president and the third to come to power following political uprisings. His political career began… [...]
Kyrgyzstan: threat of censorship looms after controversial comedy show
After a controversial comedy show on YouTube, Kyrgyzstan’s culture minister discussed stronger state control of musicians. Artists and parts of civil society reacted with indignation and criticised the lack of… [...]
Kazakhstan: Asqar Mamin reappointed prime minister after uncompetitive election
In its first session, the newly elected parliament of Kazakhstan approved the re-appointment of Prime Minister Asqar Mamin. His is not the only familiar face to return after the ruling… [...]
Kyrgyzstan: voters face choice of 18 candidates in January election
Kyrgyzstan is holding a snap presidential election on 10 January. Candidates include well-known politicians, businessmen and even a self-proclaimed god. The country will also be voting on a constitutional reform… [...]
In Tajikistan, government control still slows down internet
Despite going up in the rankings, Tajikistan’s internet is still among the slowest in the world, lagging behind its Central Asian neighbours. This article was originally published on Novastan’s… [...]
Can Sadyr Japarov fulfil his promises?
Sadyr Japarov went from prisoner to prime minister and interim president of Kyrgyzstan. It’s still too early to say whether he will be able to fulfil his many promises. Sadyr… [...]