Tajikistan

Riot police check spectators' bags as they guard an area at the Oktyabrsky Concert Hall prior to the concert of the rock group Picnic and the symphony orchestra Tavrichesky, in St. Petersburg, Russia, March 27, 2024.

Central Asians in Russia face increased scrutiny, discrimination after mass shooting 

Race

Russia has detained four suspected shooters in the Crocus City Hall mass shooting. The suspects are all from Tajikistan. Now, there are reports in cities across Russia that people from Central Asia are experiencing a rise in harassment, mistreatment and xenophobic behavior.

European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson arrives for a meeting of EU justice and interior ministers at the European Council building in Brussels, Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021.

EU’s top migration official calls for global response to help Afghans in order to avoid migration crisis in Europe

Afghanistan
The Abuzz project hopes to help curb mosquito-borne illnesses by using cell phones to track mosquito outbreaks around the world.

Tracking some of the world’s biggest killers, via cellphone

Health
Police officers walk outside a polling station in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, Nov. 1, 2013. Tajikistan has recently announced a registry of allegedly gay citizens.

Tajikistan announces official registry of gay citizens

Sexuality
President Emomali Rahmon of Tajikistan

Meet Central Asia’s leaders for life

Global Politics
Screenshot of Gulmurod Halimov in video talking about his defection. The video has since been deleted.

Why Tajikistan’s special forces chief joined ISIS

Conflict

Tajikistan’s government claims nearly 400 Tajik nationals are fighting with ISIS. The latest to join from this Central Asian nation might be the highest profile: the head of the country’s special forces branch of its police.

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.

Should we try to end disease?

Health & Medicine

Polio has reappeared in Russia for the first time in years, igniting a debate over whether people should try to eradicate or simply manage diseases.

The World

Britain Named Most Prolific Invader

Arts, Culture & Media

A new book claims that Britain has invaded more countries than any other. Anchor Aaron Schachter discusses the claim with the World’s News Editor and resident history buff, Chris Woolf.

The World

Prince Karim Aga Khan IV and the Ismaili Sect of Shia Islam

Arts, Culture & Media

Prince Karim Aga Khan IV doesn’t exactly fit the profile you’d expect of a Muslim holy man.