Central Asia

Teachers Face Unusual Exam

A new government initiative in Turkmenistan appears designed to cut teachers’ salaries by setting them standards which many will fail to meet.

NGOs Denied Legal Status

The government of Turkmenistan appears to be taking the easiest route to controlling the country’s non-government organisations, NGOs – denying them registration.

WTO Membership on the Horizon

New Gold Find Unlikely to Alter Overall Slowing of Growth

Turkmen-Iran Free Trade Zone Withers

Hopes that business and cultural links would be boosted have been dashed by lack of interest from both Turkmen and Iranian governments.

Pilgrims' Protest in Kyrgyzstan

Claims and counter-claims of wrongdoing in the Muslim clerical establishment are a symptom of an organisation in need of change.

OSCE Urged to Mind its Own Business

Cutting the Cost of Internet Use

Afghan Instability Threatens Central Asia, Experts Say

OSCE Sets Deadline for Reforms