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Central Asians working in Russia as street cleaners in a Moscow street. (RFE/RL).

Central Asia in Focus: Cost of Russian Work Permits Increase

The rising cost of Russian work permits for Central Asians, Kazakhstan’s water crisis, Tajikistan seeks EU preferential trade status, and more.

Burnt market in the village of Arka in Kyrgyzstan's Batken region, after the armed conflict on the Kyrgyz-Tajik border on August 16-17, 2022.

Central Asia In Focus: Tajikistan-Kyrgyzstan Border

In this week’s edition: possible Tajikistan-Kyrgyzstan border reopening, Uzbek police convicted for role in Karakalpak violence, and more.

Vladyslav Yesypenko poses with his arm around his wife, Kateryna Yesypenko

Journalists in Trouble: Restrictions on RFE/RL’s Kyrgyz Service Lifted Following Court Decision

Kyrgyz government restores access to RFE/RL websites, bank account; Amnesty letter-writing campaign for Vladyslav Yesypenko continues; RFE/RL marks anniversary of fraudulent election in Belarus; and more.

A Kazakh delegation meets with Afghan representatives in Kabul, Afghanistan in April 2023. (Public domain).

Central Asia in Focus: Concerns and Opportunities with the Taliban

In this week’s edition: Central Asian countries’ concerns about the Taliban, China funds a hydropower plant, and more.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Kazakh counterpart Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev at the summit with leaders of post-Soviet countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States in Astana, Kazakhstan on Oct. 14, 2022. (AFP).

Central Asia in Focus: Putin’s Credibility in Central Asia

Prigozhin’s mutiny, religious freedom in Kazakhstan, Kazakh and Kyrgyz companies help Russia avoid sanctions, and more.

Hydropower plant in Toktogul, Kyrgyzstan in November 2022. Kanat Ryskulov (RFE/RL).

Central Asia in Focus: Kyrgyzstan’s Energy Emergency 

In this week’s edition: Kyrgyzstan’s energy emergency, Tajik authorities declare Pamiri news outlet extremist, a death in a Turkmen breadline, and more.

Alga Kazakhstan activists attempt for the fifth time to submit their registration forms to the Justice Ministry in Astana, Kazakhstan in October 2022. Sanya Tolken (RFE/RL).

Central Asia in Focus: Kazakh Opposition Party Denied Registration For 16th Time

Kazakh opposition party denied registration, Taliban rejects Central Asian fuel, the deteriorating human rights situation in Tajikistan, and more.

Briefly… Kubat Kasymbekov on How Central Asian Companies Supply Russia with Sanctioned Tech

RFE/RL Kyrgyz Service journalist Kubat Kasymbekov explains how Central Asian companies supply Russia with sanctioned tech.

Ihar and Darya Losik pose for a selfie.

Journalists in Trouble: Bishkek Court Annuls Decision to Shutter RFE/RL’s In-Country Operations

Kyrgyz court annuls decision to shutter RFE/RL; Czech Amnesty launches letter-writing campaign for Vladyslav Yesypenko; Ihar Losik marks three years in prison; and more.

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