Central Asia

In this photo taken on Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2012, an elderly man sits inside a bus in the station of Moscow, Russia. More and more migrants from the Central Asia are coming come to Moscow in search of work.

Russia’s war creates economic hardships for Central Asian migrants

As the Russian economy starts to slow down because of Western sanctions, migrant workers from Central Asia, who often work low-wage jobs in Russia, have been some of the first to feel the war’s economic impact.

Russia’s war creates economic hardships for Central Asian migrants
Many of the Jewish graves in Kyrgyzstan are adorned with Stars of David.

The Jewish graves in Kyrgyzstan are fading. But a small Jewish community continues to thrive. 

The Jewish graves in Kyrgyzstan are fading. But a small Jewish community continues to thrive. 
Sayfullo Saipov, the suspect in the New York City truck attack, is seen in this courtroom sketch appearing in Manhattan federal courtroom in a wheelchair in New York, NY, U.S., November 1, 2017.

No, Uzbekistan is not a hotbed for violent extremism and radicalism, experts say

No, Uzbekistan is not a hotbed for violent extremism and radicalism, experts say
A bike lies in a bicycle lane following a truck attack on the West Side Highway in Manhattan, New York, on Nov. 1, 2017.

Trump bashes immigration and justice system after New York City vehicle attack

Trump bashes immigration and justice system after New York City vehicle attack
A man walks on the roof of a traditional ger home while fixing the chimney of a coal burning stove on a cold hazy day on the outskirts of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

Mongolian nomads say goodbye to herding, hello to smog

Mongolian nomads say goodbye to herding, hello to smog
President Emomali Rahmon of Tajikistan

Meet Central Asia's leaders for life

Democracy is a blast when there are no term limits, or age limits.

Meet Central Asia's leaders for life
A teenage horseman practices his draw between rounds of horseback archery. The event, known as "Atchan jaa atuu," requires riders to shoot at targets while at full gallop.

At the World Nomad Games, top athletes compete in horseback archery, eagle hunting and more

The mission of the World Nomad Games is the revival and preservation of nomadic people's historical cultural heritage.

At the World Nomad Games, top athletes compete in horseback archery, eagle hunting and more
Uzbekistan's President Islam Karimov attends a news conference in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on Aug. 29, 2006.

Uzbekistan's President Islam Karimov is dead

The strongman's death ends more than 25 years of iron-fisted rule in the Central Asian nation with no clear successor lined up.

Uzbekistan's President Islam Karimov is dead
Saiga mass grave

What's killing the endangered Saiga antelope of Central Asia?

The saiga, antelopes that have migrated across the Central Asian steppe since the days of the woolly mammoth, are suddenly dying by the hundreds of thousands. Some researchers suspect that bacteria reacting to the effects of climate change may be to blame for this catastrophic event.

What's killing the endangered Saiga antelope of Central Asia?
A screen shot from an "Average Mohamed" animated cartoon directed at 8- to 16-year-olds that debunks ISIS recruitment messages.

Meet 'Average Mohamed,' a gas station manager who's using cartoons to fight ISIS recruitment

By day, Somali-American Mohamed Ahmed runs a gas station in the Twin Cities. By night, he's "Average Mohamed," a cartoon character trying to keeping young people from joining ISIS.

Meet 'Average Mohamed,' a gas station manager who's using cartoons to fight ISIS recruitment
Predator drones featured on a hand-woven rug from Pakistan.

Drones are everywhere — even on rugs

Weavers in Afghanistan and Pakistan have long used military-themed designs on their rugs. Now drones are getting their turn as a rug motif.

Drones are everywhere — even on rugs
An Afghan soldier inspects the site of a suicide attack in Kabul on December 11, 2014. A suicide bomber targeted a bus carrying Afghan army personnel, killing six soldiers and wounding 11.

2014 was the bloodiest year of the war in Afghanistan — for Afghans

It’s just a month since the flag came down on US combat operations in Afghanistan. But even with most American troops leaving, the war is far from over. Can Afghanistan stay intact?

2014 was the bloodiest year of the war in Afghanistan — for Afghans
Detainees in orange jumpsuits sit in a holding area under the watchful eyes of military police during in-processing to the temporary detention facility at Naval Base Guantanamo Bay in January 2002.

Here's how some veterans feel about torture tactics

The CIA's recently-released torture report has sparked a national conversation about the perceived horrors of torture — as well as its potential merits. But how do Americans who have served on the front lines feel about torture tactics? We asked veterans to weigh in.

Here's how some veterans feel about torture tactics
A training ride, outside the city of Kabul, Afghanistan

Afghan women put aside their own safety and their country's culture to create a national cycling team

Afghanistan is a country where the culture does not allow women to ride bikes. So the Afghan Women's National Cycling Team has a huge hill to climb, especially if they are to have any chance of making it to the Olympics.

Afghan women put aside their own safety and their country's culture to create a national cycling team
British troops lower the Union Flag during a ceremony marking the end of operations for US Marines and British combat troops in Helmand on October 26, 2014.

Afghan success stories aren't quite what they seem

In some scattered areas of Afghanistan, like the district of Gizab, coalition forces were able to claim victories over the Taliban, driving them out with the help of locals. But as international troops leave, those alleged successes are becoming far more fragile.

Afghan success stories aren't quite what they seem