Kyrgyzstan

billboard over building

LGBTQ Russians are fleeing to Central Asia

When Russia started drafting men to fight in Ukraine last fall, thousands fled to neighboring countries in Central Asia. The draft has been paused and some are returning home. But less so for members of the LGBTQ community, who say the government's increasing hostility has made Russia unsafe.

LGBTQ Russians are fleeing to 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

Russia’s war creates economic hardships for Central Asian migrants
The walnut forests of southern Kyrgyzstan sprawl along the tops of steep hills. They are believed to be the largest natural walnut forest on earth.

Kyrgyzstan’s walnut forests dwindle with increased cattle farming, climate change

Kyrgyzstan’s walnut forests dwindle with increased cattle farming, climate change
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. 
The World

Russian-style anti-gay legislation has inspired homophobic attacks in Kyrgyzstan

Russian-style anti-gay legislation has inspired homophobic attacks in Kyrgyzstan

World powers battle for influence over Central Asia

Central Asia has long been the focus of tense geopolitical battles between world powers. The latest one started more than a decade ago, when the United States turned the region into a primary staging ground for its war in Afghanistan. A three-way struggle has since emerged between the U.S., China and Russia.

World powers battle for influence over Central Asia

Kyrgyzstan's Akyn Poets

As the Kyrgyzstan's fledgling democracy moves forward, the local media have been covering events closely. But so has an older, arguably more powerful institution in Kyrgyzstan.

Kyrgyzstan's Akyn Poets
The World

Where Apples Come From

For our Geo Quiz, we want to know where apples originated, thousands of years ago. Scientists point to a Central Asian mountain range where Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and China meet.

Where Apples Come From

US relationship with oppressive regimes under scrutiny

Washington's past compromises now plagues its policy throughout the Arab World: supporting an unpopular strongman in exchange for a military stronghold.

US relationship with oppressive regimes under scrutiny

Strange Harvest in a Central Asian River Valley

The Geo Quiz visits a Central Asian river valley where marijuana is harvested 'au naturel.'

Strange Harvest in a Central Asian River Valley

Kyrgyzstan Tries to Get Over its Violent Past

Presidential elections are scheduled for October to make the country more democratic than its authoritarian neighbors.

Kyrgyzstan Tries to Get Over its Violent Past
The World

Democracy in Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan saw two revolutions in recent years to become the first parliamentary democracy in Central Asia.

Democracy in Kyrgyzstan
The World

Kyrgyzstan refugees flee ethnic violence

Tens of thousands of refugees from southern Kyrgyzstan are fleeing to neighboring Uzbekistan after three days of violence aimed at ethnic Uzbeks. Hamid Ishmailov, head of BBC's Central Asian and Caucasus service, reports from Kyrgyzstan.

Kyrgyzstan refugees flee ethnic violence

Turmoil in Kyrgyzstan

Unrest in the Central Asian nation of Kyrgyzstan may endanger a US military base key to operations in Afghanistan.

Turmoil in Kyrgyzstan
The World

The fate of U.S. military air base in Krygyzstan remains unclear

The United States and NATO have longed use a base in Kyrgyzstan as a vital stopover in the supply route for their operations in Afghanistan. That may be changing as Russia has offered two billion dollars in aid if Kyrgyzstan agreed to close the base.

The fate of U.S. military air base in Krygyzstan remains unclear