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Crossroads Asia

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What’s in Mongolia’s New Anti-Corruption Strategy?
June 08, 2023

What’s in Mongolia’s New Anti-Corruption Strategy?

By Bolor Lkhaajav
The proposed strategy aims to address a perennial issue through increased whistleblower protections, transparency measures, and international cooperation.
EU-Central Asia Leaders’ Meeting Latest to Highlight Region’s Geopolitical Centrality
June 07, 2023

EU-Central Asia Leaders’ Meeting Latest to Highlight Region’s Geopolitical Centrality

By Catherine Putz
Last year, the EU’s meeting with Central Asian leaders followed their summit with Putin; this year it trailed their meeting with Xi.

Hobbled Economic Prospects in Central Asia
June 06, 2023

Hobbled Economic Prospects in Central Asia

By Catherine Putz
Emerging economies are “struggling just to cope,” the World Bank says. The latest Global Economic Prospects report notes slight improvements but many risks.

Brooklyn Lawyers Abuse Asylum System in Advising Clients to Fraudulently Claim LGBTQ Persecution
June 06, 2023

Brooklyn Lawyers Abuse Asylum System in Advising Clients to Fraudulently Claim LGBTQ Persecution

By Catherine Putz
Taking advantage of the very real persecution of the LGBTQ community in Russia and across much of the former Soviet Union, a pair of lawyers conspired to commit immigration fraud. 

Uzbekistan Supreme Court Issues Ruling on Karakalpakstan Appeals
June 05, 2023

Uzbekistan Supreme Court Issues Ruling on Karakalpakstan Appeals

By Catherine Putz
Tazhimuratov’s 16-year sentence was upheld while terms of others were either reduced or shifted to house arrest.
Mongolia’s Constitutional Reform Enlarges Parliament, Advances a Mixed Electoral System
June 02, 2023

Mongolia’s Constitutional Reform Enlarges Parliament, Advances a Mixed Electoral System

By Bolor Lkhaajav
Mongolia's third round of constitutional reforms in four years added 50 seats to the State Great Khural, 38 percent of which will be chosen by proportional representation.

Kyrgyz Opposition Leader Madumarov Again Under Pressure
June 01, 2023

Kyrgyz Opposition Leader Madumarov Again Under Pressure

By Catherine Putz
For the second time in just over a year, Kyrgyzstan’s prosecutor general has sought to strip opposition politician Adakhan Madumarov’s immunity so he can be prosecuted. 
Could ‘Chicky Cha-Cha Boom-Boom’ Become Kyrgyzstan’s Soft Power Motto?
June 01, 2023

Could ‘Chicky Cha-Cha Boom-Boom’ Become Kyrgyzstan’s Soft Power Motto?

By Colleen Wood
Much of what is written about soft power in Central Asia focuses on countries like Kyrgyzstan as passive recipients of Russian, Chinese, and American cultural influence. D Billions may flip the script.

Kazakhstan Keeps Discussion of Political Repression Firmly in the Past
June 01, 2023

Kazakhstan Keeps Discussion of Political Repression Firmly in the Past

By Catherine Putz
Kazakh President Tokayev said in tweet that it was the “duty” of all to “learn the terrible lessons of the past and do everything possible so that such events do not happen again in the future.” What about the present?

War and Migration: Central Asian Migrant Worker Flows Amid the Ukraine Conflict
May 31, 2023

War and Migration: Central Asian Migrant Worker Flows Amid the Ukraine Conflict

By Catherine Putz
The same circumstances that do not dissuade Tajik migrants from heading to Russia drive some Russians toward Kyrgyzstan and beyond.

New Wave Authoritarianism in Kyrgyzstan
May 31, 2023

New Wave Authoritarianism in Kyrgyzstan

By Haley Zehrung
Sadyr Japarov represents a shift from old-school authoritarianism to new-wave methods of consolidating illiberal, autocratic power under the guise of popular support.
Anatomy of a Sausage Scandal in Kyrgyzstan
May 25, 2023

Anatomy of a Sausage Scandal in Kyrgyzstan

By Colleen Wood
Industrialized meat processing is inherently a messy business. In Kyrgyzstan, the politics of regulating the food supply and flows of trade can be just as messy. 

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