Kyrgyzstan

by Vladimir Rozanskij | CENTRAL ASIA

Since the collapse of the USSR, the five former Soviet republics of Central Asia have been debating whether to abandon the Cyrillic alphabet in favour of Latin script. Some argue it more closely reflects the phonetics of Turkic languages, but the issue is entangled with broader calls for “de-Russification” in the context of the war in Ukraine. Even in Kazakhstan—where Nazarbayev launched the transition with the aim of completing it by 2031—serious doubts remain.

Kyrgyzstan's green economy

by Vladimir Rozanskij | KYRGYZSTAN

Kyrgyzstan's questionable electoral reform

by Vladimir Rozanskij | KYRGYZSTAN

Peace between Dushanbe and Bishkek and its advantages

by Vladimir Rozanskij | KYRGYZSTAN - TAJIKISTAN
by Vladimir Rozanskij

The ‘patriarchal’ traditions of the region seem to be increasingly shifting towards the female faces of the local ‘dynasties’. This is confirmed by the sudden emergence from the shadows of Oguldžakhan Atabaeva, sister of theTurkmen President, Serdar Berdymukhamedov, and daughter of the President-father Gurbanguly.

| 14/04/2025
| TURKMENISTAN
by Vladimir Rozanskij

The Eurasian military alliance has presented new guidelines for law enforcement operations to be applied in all member states to prevent ‘terrorist infiltration’. Last year 420 illegal organisations were identified, but there were also many summary actions against Tajiks after the attack on Krokus City Hall. Dushanbe is insisting that its citizens fully legalise their residence status in Russia by the end of April.

| 31/03/2025
| CENTRAL ASIA
by Vladimir Rozanskij

The lack of children's literature in the Kyrgyz language has prompted two mothers to publish at their own expense a series of books based on local stories and traditions told to their children. These initiatives have quickly met with considerable success. They talk to Current Time: ‘They will make our people's boat stronger’.

| 21/03/2025
| KYRGYZSTAN
by Vladimir Rozanskij

While mosques are filling up with large crowds from Kyrgyzstan to Kazakhstan, commercial initiatives related to the Muslim holy month are multiplying. And most telephone operators are also offering electronic almsgiving services, with QR codes approved by religious administrations.

| 18/03/2025
| CENTRAL ASIA
by Vladimir Rozanskij

The agreement between Kyrgyz and Tajiks-sealed by the embrace between Žaparov and Rakhmon-affects as much as 1,000 kilometers of border and and comes after discussions and clashes dating back to the twentieth century, when both states were under Moscow's control. As recently as three years ago, armed clashes had occurred with several casualties on both sides.

| 17/03/2025
| CENTRAL ASIA
by Vladimir Rozanskij

Every year a festival is dedicated to the kalpak, the typical white double-pointed headdress of the Kyrgyz people. Its shape is reminiscent of the snow-capped peaks of the country's mountain ranges. A symbol of dignity, wisdom and honour, according to tradition it cannot be thrown away or even donated or sold to others: it can only be passed on to one's descendants.

| 07/03/2025
| KYRGYZSTAN
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