Region

Some Bristle At Iran's Offer Of Unfiltered Internet To A Select Few

Iranian journalists have criticized a government offer to provide 100 of them with free Internet, saying they'd reject such a privilege because unrestricted Internet is everyone's right.

Squeaky Wheels Sent Away Ahead Of Uzbek Inspectors' Visit

Authorities in the Uzbek province of Andijon have warned residents against complaining to inspectors from the president's office who are visiting the region, and "usual complainers" got special attention.

Won't Fade Away: Former, Current Kyrgyz Presidents On Collision Course

Former Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambaev is back in politics and wasted no time criticizing his own pick to succeed him as president.

Tashkent Conference Backs Afghan Government's Peace Offer

Uzbekistan has offered to host peace negotiations between Afghanistan's government and the Taliban.

Majlis Podcast: Is Iran-Saudi Tension Reaching Central Asia?

This latest session of the Majlis explored the ties Iran and Arabic countries such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have with the five Central Asian states.

Turkmen Elections Look Like Next Step Toward Dynasty

Turkmenistan's parliamentary elections are usually meaningless events, but there are some interesting aspects to the March 25 vote. (The views expressed in this blog post do not necessarily reflect the views of RFE/RL.)

Mattis Accuses Iran Of 'Mucking Around' In Iraq's Elections

U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis has accused Iran of "mucking around" in Iraq's parliamentary elections, in which Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi is seeking another term in office in May.

'Counting The Days': Tajiks, Uzbeks Have Great Expectations After Landmark Border Deals

People in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan hope the landmark package of agreements signed between the two countries will bring many positive changes to their everyday lives.

Uzbekistan Seeks Bigger Role in Afghan Peace Process

UN Report Decries Iran Clampdown, 'Pattern' Of Abuses In Prisons

A new United Nations report criticizes the Iranian government for its continued crackdown on freedom of expression and restrictions on access to information, while detainees appeared to be systematically subjected to abuse, including torture and rape.

Brother Of IS 'War Minister' Resigns From Tajik Prisons Department

The brother of Gulmurod Halimov, the fugitive Tajik colonel who joined the Islamic State (IS) group, has resigned from his post at Tajikistan's department of prisons after three of his close relatives were sentenced on terrorism-related charges, Tajik government sources say.