Tajikistan

• August 31, 2026

  'Shanghai' Grouping At 25: Rifts, Rivalries, And A Show Of Unity

  The Shanghai Cooperation Organization turns 25 at a moment of extraordinary tension embroiling several of the regional security group’s most prominent members. For China, Russia, Iran, and others, it may be less about substance than a show of influence and independence in the face of the West.

• August 30, 2026

  Central Asia Seeks Open Borders, But Security Fears Get In The Way

  Central Asia has lots to attract tourists but it’s difficult getting around. Efforts to make it easier for tourists to cross borders have been proposed -- but there are substantial obstacles.

• August 16, 2026

  Russia's Tighter Migrant Rules Could Hit Central Asian Workers, Worsen Shortages

  Russia is proposing an overhaul of its foreign-worker recruitment system in 2027, tying migrants to specific employers, jobs, and regions. Experts warn that tighter rules could worsen labor shortages and push more migrants into informal employment.

• August 14, 2026

  Taliban Official Killed As Violence Flares In Northern Afghanistan

  A senior Taliban official has been assassinated in Afghanistan’s northeastern province of Badakhshan, where violence has flared in recent weeks.

• August 11, 2026

  Kazakhs Weigh Hosting Russian Retailers Against Ukraine Neutrality

  Months of Ukrainian attacks on targets ranging from energy infrastructure to online retailers deep inside Russia have prompted moves to seek relief by relocating some facilities to Kazakhstan, which has tried to balance its ties to Moscow with a desire to remain neutral on the Ukraine war.

• July 29, 2026

  For Central Asian Migrants, Russia's School Rules Are Splitting Families

  As the new school year approaches, Central Asian migrant parents face a stark choice: bring their children to Russia and risk them being unable to enroll because of stricter Russian language rules or leave them behind.

• July 26, 2026

  Tajikistan Expands Crackdown On Head Scarves, Beards In New Push For 'National Culture'

  Many Tajiks say decisions about clothing, appearance, and faith have become intertwined with official expectations.

• July 21, 2026

  Tajikistan Distances Itself From Detained Israel- Iran Spy Suspect

  Tajikistan's interior minister said has said that a man arrested in Israel on suspicion of spying for Iran is no longer a Tajik citizen, contradicting earlier statements by Israeli authorities that described the suspect as a dual Tajik-Russian national.

• July 20, 2026

  Central Asian Countries Face Fuel Shortages As Russian Oil Exports Drop Off

  Russia is experiencing severe fuel shortages as a result of Ukrainian strikes on its energy infrastructure, resulting in high prices and long lines for gasoline. Now Central Asian countries, which rely heavily on imports of Russian petroleum products, are seeing similar price hikes and shortages.

• July 15, 2026

  Is Political Opposition Still Possible In Central Asia?

  Across Central Asia, opposition movements have steadily disappeared from public life. Some leaders have been jailed, others forced into exile, while new parties have struggled to gain a foothold. What happened to the region's opposition -- and is there still space for alternative political voices?

• July 09, 2026

  Central Asia's Fuel Crisis: The Cost Of Russian Dependence And Short-Term Thinking

  Ukraine's sustained attacks on Russia's oil refineries immediately plunged Central Asian countries into energy chaos, highlighting years of short-term policy decisions that have left the region without a coordinated energy strategy and sufficient diversification to withstand major disruptions.

• June 29, 2026

  Russia's Fuel Troubles Expose Central Asia's Energy Dependence

  The disruptions to Russia's energy sector due to its war with Ukraine are having a ripple effect in Central Asia, with fuel prices rising across the region and governments scrambling to find alternative sources to meet demand.

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