Ashgabat, the apple of the regime’s eye
The latest developments in Turkmenistan as a result of the coronavirus have demonstrated once again that the capital, the marbledContinue Reading
Category: English
What is in a name? The (re)naming of cities in Central Asia
For centuries, London has been London, Paris has been Paris and Rome has been Rome. Despite revolutions, wars and upheavals,Continue Reading
Turkmenistan and Tatarstan, more than just a special relationship
On February 17th Turkmenistan’s new Minister of Industry and Construction Operations paid a visit to the capital of the RepublicContinue Reading
The Shaybanids, Central Asia’s last great dynasty
Timur, or Tamerlane as he is also known, has monopolised a large part of Central Asian history, overshadowing other fascinatingContinue Reading
With detainees avoiding deportation to China, is Kazakhstan’s approach to Xinjiang changing?
In the last days, three ethnic Kazakh Chinese citizens have avoided deportation back to China after fleeing Beijing’s repressive campaignContinue Reading
A majolica façade: Central Asia’s fabricated political parties
In the last weeks, the Uzbek people have gone to the polls to elect their representatives for the Oliy Majlis,Continue Reading
Nazarbayev, Kazakhstan’s face to the world
Nursultan Nazarbayev formally gave up power on March 2019 but it is no secret that the former president has beenContinue Reading
Interview with Carlos Hernández, a Spanish journalist inside Turkmenistan
Carlos Hernández (Madrid, 1969) is an award-winning Spanish journalist with a wide international experience. Recently he has become one ofContinue Reading
Graphomania among the Central Asian leaders
It is not uncommon for politicians to write books. Once they have left the reins of power, one can expectContinue Reading
The Barber of Ferghana
The governor of the province of Ferghana, in Uzbekistan, has been caught once again in his crusade against beards andContinue Reading