Stories
The Grey Wolf Sign: A Fair Sign of Celebration or an Unacceptable Political Message?

The Grey Wolf Sign: A Fair Sign of Celebration or an Unacceptable Political Message?

Who could think that a football match would trigger debates on the genesis and myths of the Turkic people? Merih Demiral, Team Türkiye’s midfielder has come under a spotlight after he displayed a Grey Wolf gesture to celebrate his second goal.

Stories
Abishovs family

Landmine Victims: Struggle for Safety in Post-Conflict Azerbaijan

The Abishov family is among the many Azerbaijani families who have suffered the loss of their loved ones to landmines. As more lives are claimed by landmines planted due to the occupation of Azerbaijani lands, urgent international support is essential to address this ongoing problem.

50

Number of wooden mosques in Georgia’s Adjara district

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$150-$300

The fine for graffitiing on administrative buildings in Tbilisi, Georgia

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5000km

The annual journey Omid, the Siberian Crane takes

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16kg

The weight of the Lelo Burti ball

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3200

The number of contenders Azerbaijani film Hadis was chosen from to be shown at 2023 Annecy International Animated Film Festival

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Politics & Economy

Armenian Radical Aram Brunson Faces Charges Over Potential Anti-Azerbaijani Attacks

In an inquiry launched by FBI anti-terrorist agents in January 2023 that’s finally coming to court in the US state of Massachusetts, Armenian diaspora activist Aram Brunson is accused of hiding bomb-making activities that were likely to be used against Azerbaijani targets.

Politics & Economy

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian Pledges Action on Language Rights, Lake Urmia, and Decentralization

Azerbaijani Turks of Iran have for years felt that Tehran has taken little notice of their specific grievances. However, with the recent election of Masoud Pezeshkian, himself having Azerbaijani roots, hopes for action are suddenly rising.

Politics & Economy

Will Election of a New President Help Improve Relations Between Tehran and Baku?

The surprise victory of ‘reformist’ candidate Masoud Pezeshkian in Iran’s presidential elections suggests a new era in Iranian foreign policy, and one that should particularly improve relations with Baku given Pezeshkian’s pride in his Turkic roots.

Saiga Steaks: Kazakhstan to Cull Thousands of Once-Endangered Antelope as Numbers Rebound
Central Asia, Stories

Saiga Steaks: Kazakhstan to Cull Thousands of Once-Endangered Antelope as Numbers Rebound

Due to the once-endangered saiga antelope population increasing tenfold, the Kazakh government plans to cull 337,000 to protect farmers from agricultural damage caused by the animal’s grazing habits.

Uzbekistan’s Tourism Villages
Central Asia, Stories

Uzbekistan’s Tourism Villages

Uzbekistan’s tourism village scheme is highlighting best practice in community-based tourism by supporting the rural tourism industry, with one village, Sentob, winning the 2023 UNWTO award for Best Tourism Village.

Yurt Central Asia
Central Asia, Opinion

Are Glamping Yurts Yet Another Cultural Appropriation in The West?

Traditional housing used among many Central Asian nations today is utilized as an eco-friendly glamping option in the Western world. This is not the first instance when the heritage of the oppressed and underrepresented ethnic groups is used for profit. Yet who is to say what makes it cultural appropriation?

Caspian Region Gets New UNESCO Listings
Caucasus, Central Asia, Culture

Caspian Region Gets New UNESCO Listings

On September 18, Unesco unveiled 27 new World Heritage features including three in the Caspian Region countries, plus the extension of another in Azerbaijan.

How Kazakhstan Is Reviving the Aral Sea that the Soviet Union Destroyed
Central Asia, Stories

How Kazakhstan Is Reviving the Aral Sea that the Soviet Union Destroyed

Kazakhstan is leading the charge in reviving the Aral Sea, which while once a vital ecosystem, now remains a stark reminder of environmental consequences.

In Kazakhstan, the Fight Against Animal Cruelty is Far from Over
Stories

In Kazakhstan, the Fight Against Animal Cruelty is Far from Over

Despite new laws regarding animal abuse, incidents continue to make headlines in Kazakhstan, but what more is being done to prevent these horrific acts of cruelty?

Opinion

ProTenge’s Founder and Editor-in-Chief Found Guilty of “Spreading False Information”

Investigative journalist, founder, and editor-in-chief of the independent media ProTenge Jamilya Maricheva was fined for her January post on Telegram expressing support for Radio Azattyq’s journalists.

Opinion

Kazakhstan: Will The New Amendments to the Law “On Mass Media” Infringe Media Freedom Even More?

RFE/RL’s lawsuit against the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, a potential ban on foreign media, and discrimination against journalists—Kazakhstani media’s troublesome reality.

Opinion

The Latest Misogynist Remarks from Kazakh Politicians

As the government in Kazakhstan is reviewing a new bill with harsher sentences and penalties for domestic violence, Kazakh politicians continue to shock the public with their misogyny.

Mosque in Oskemen, Kazakhstan

The Rising Divide in Religious and Secular Societies in Kazakhstan

Amidst the news of the Kazakhstani politicians trying to regulate the rise of religious extremists, we spoke with Ayan Oryntay, a religious studies scholar from Kazakhstan, to try to understand the current state of affairs.