Stories about Central Asia & Caucasus from September, 2023
Nagorno-Karabakh surrenders but what of the future?
Over the last three years, mutual accusations of ceasefire violations continued unabated. So did, mutual hostile rhetoric throwing any prospects for peace out of the window.
Why does Sinophobia remain strong in Kazakhstan?
The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) launched by Xi Jinping 10 years ago has intensified Sinophobia associated with the activities of Chinese companies.
In Azerbaijan, one young queer activist is defying boundaries
Existing legislation in Azerbaijan does not address hate crimes based on gender identity or sexual orientation. There is also no law on bullying despite advocacy efforts of activists.
In Central Asia, the concerts of pro-war Russian celebrities are canceled in solidarity with Ukraine
In contrast to the governments in Central Asia, which maintain an ambiguous position, ordinary people in the region have expressed their political stance more clearly by expressing solidarity with Ukraine.
Central Asian people's path to the American dream is full of dangers
Among the dangers of traveling this route are being robbed or taken hostage by cartels in transit countries, being attacked by wild animals, and drowning in the Caribbean Sea.
Shifting tides: Do Kazakhs still like Russia?
Public opinion is split: for some, Russia is an unavoidable, yet dangerous partner, but a lesser evil compared to others.
Azerbaijan continues to keep its land borders closed, citing COVID-19 as a concern
Three years on, while the world, including Azerbaijan, lifted most, if not all, pandemic-related restrictions, Azerbaijan continues to keep its land borders closed for passenger traffic, citing the pandemic as a threat.
FC Barcelona opens its first academy in Central Asia and commits to build more
The academy in Jalalabad was FC Barcelona's 29th in the world and first in Central Asia.
The Taliban's devastating effect on journalists and press freedom in Afghanistan grows worse
Over half of 600 media outlets have ceased operations. A significant number of journalists and media personnel, particularly women, have either lost their jobs or been coerced into leaving the country.