Accident Highlights Commanders' Power
A major gas leak prompts Balkh province residents to take action - but can they prevail over local militia leaders?
A major gas leak prompts Balkh province residents to take action - but can they prevail over local militia leaders?
Shia city celebrates Saddam’s capture – but harbours deep mistrust of the occupying forces.
Minorities in Iraq continue to face pressure from dominant Arabs and Kurds.
Whilst welcoming the release of Makhbuba Kasymova, human rights campaigners believe up to 6,000 political prisoners are still languishing in Uzbek jails.
Few believe the new Kyrgyz government will reverse the country's economic decline
On the Uzbek-Kyrgyz border, travellers run the gauntlet of unmarked minefields and constant police harassment
Central Asian republics face serious political instability unless they become more democratic
Uzbekistan's new anti-terrorism law gives the government absolute control over conflict reporting
The arrest of Khizb-ut-Takhrir activists in Tajikistan reflects the state's concern over the group's rapid spread across the region