Smugglers' Paradise on Kazak-Uzbek Border
Local officials are accused of taking kickbacks in return for turning a blind eye to wholesale smuggling.
Local officials are accused of taking kickbacks in return for turning a blind eye to wholesale smuggling.
Three Chinese cooks enliven life in a small Karabakhi village.
Tajikistan is effectively blocked in by its bigger neighbour, and Uzbek officials make life difficult for anyone trying to cross their territory.
Despite repeated denials, reports that Delhi wants an outpost in Central Asia continue to surface.
Residents complain that they have been told to foot the bill for sprucing up Bishkek for a major meeting of regional states.
As new way of opposition to the American military presence in Central Asia gathers strength, some believe the real pressure is coming from Moscow.
Tajikistan’s isolated southeast has benefited from a new trade route to China, but locals say restrictions at the border crossing are making life harder than it needs to be.
Armenians and Azerbaijanis look for ways round new curbs on migrant workers, while Georgians take most of the heat.
Russia has scored a major coup by getting its preferred gas pipeline deal signed first, but analysts say other routes to Europe and China are still possible.
Hanging of Sudanese soldiers for killing Darfur rebel suspect has little to do with the administration of justice, argue Sudan watchers.