central asia
The ‘Gates of Hell’ Could be Closed After Blazing for 50 Years
Maybe they shouldn't have been opened in the first place?
One-Fifth of Global Bitcoin Mining Capacity Taken Out by Kazakhstan Protests
Many Bitcoin mining operations moved to Kazakhstan when they were banned from China. A government crackdown on anti-regime protests has now taken most of them offline.
Russia Deploys Troops to End Kazakhstan's Deadly Uprising
At least dozens of demonstrators and 13 members of the security forces have died during anti-government protests and the crackdown that followed.
Inside the Weird, Opulent World of Turkmenistan’s Dentist-DJ Dictator
“This is a repressive, totalitarian regime that doesn’t care about what the United Nations or the rest of the world may think of it.”
Melons Are Uzbekistan's Favourite Road Trip Snack
Across the Central Asian nation, melons are stacked high by the roadside in amber, mustard yellow, and bright green. The ideal food when driving in desert heat.
Hundreds of students trapped in attack on American University in Kabul
The university is usually full of students on weeknights who attend classes after working day jobs.
Americans are fighting and dying again in southern Afghanistan
American troops just returned to southern Helmand province to help defeat a Taliban offensive that threatens the provincial capital, and one US service member has already been killed.
The US might have killed the Islamic State leader in Afghanistan with a drone
The Pentagon hopes that the alleged death of Hafiz Saeed Khan will disrupt Islamic State activities in the region.
This Cookbook Will Change Everything You Thought You Knew About Soviet Food
The cuisine of former Soviet countries in Central Asia has long been written off as bland. Food writers Eleanor Ford and Caroline Eden want to change that—starting with the Uzbek rice dish of plov.
Islamist militants suspected in shootout targeting police in Kazakhstan
Authorities have reportedly detained two suspects after an attack on police and security offices that killed three cops and a civilian in Almaty on Monday.
These Bronze Age Humans Were History's Biggest Weed Dealers
The finest dank the Caucasus had to offer.