Central Asia

'Berlin Wall's Lessons For Today'

In an op-ed for "USA Today," Jeffrey Gedmin discusses RFE and the role of free media in societies living under repressive regimes. More

Uzbekistan To Deliver Natural Gas To China

Uzbekistan says it has signed an agreement to export up to 10 billion cubic meters of natural gas to China, RFE/RL's Uzbek Service reports. More

Alcohol Sales Banned Near Uzbek Schools, Mosques

The Uzbek government adopted a law on November 1 that bans the sale of alcoholic beverages near all educational and religious buildings in the country, RFE/RL's Uzbek Service reports. More

It's Not Easy Being An Environmentalist In Turkmenistan

A court in Turkmenistan has overturned a five-year jail sentence handed down last week to a biologist whose environmental organization was shut down by the state in 2003. The case marks the second time in three years that Andrei Zatoka has been sentenced and detained before being released, and highlights the difficulties activists commonly encounter in Central Asia. More

Tajikistan Detains Women For Alleged IMU Membership

Two women in Tajikistan's northern Sughd Province have been detained for alleged membership in the banned Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU), RFE/RL's Tajik Service reports. More

Kyrgyz President's Son's New Role

When Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiev put the finishing touches on his restructured government last week, he entrusted the country's future economic course to a person he has known for decades -- his youngest son, Maksim Bakiev. More

Tajik President To Pardon Thousands Of Criminals

Tajik President Emomali Rahmon has signed a decree that will grant amnesty to an estimated 10,000 prisoners, RFE/RL's Tajik Service reports. More

Kyrgyz Journalist Recounts Brutal Attack

Kyrgyz journalist Kubanychbek Joldoshev says an attack that left him hospitalized with a concussion was politically motivated, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reports. More

Tajik Health Care Workers To Work In Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia's Trade Chamber and the Tajik Interior Ministry's Migration Service have signed an agreement allowing Tajik labor migrants to work in Saudi Arabia, RFE/RL's Tajik Service reports. More

Unmasking The Truth About Swine Flu

As concerns over massive outbreaks of swine flu rise in many countries with the onset of the influenza season, doctors say much is misunderstood about how people contract the disease. We speak to experts to learn more, and whether there is any cause for panic. RFE/RL correspondent Charles Recknagel reports. More

In Fear Of The Flu

Public fears of a major outbreak of swine flu are growing in countries from Ukraine to Afghanistan. What is not clear is how many cases are actually the dreaded H1N1 strain, and whether fears of a pandemic are justified. More