“Mongolia cannot be understood through one lens.” Dr @MendeeJ on democracy, corruption, China and Russia, the SCO, and Mongolia’s growing ties with Central Asia. novastan.org/en/kazakhstan/m…

“The idea of having choices was so new.” Former MP and minister @oyunlt reflects on Mongolia’s 1990 democratic revolution, corruption, women in politics, younger voters and the future of local democracy. novastan.org/en/kazakhstan/o…

Remittances are Central Asia’s invisible welfare state. They pay for food, homes, school, medicine and weddings - but they also reveal how many families depend on income earned abroad. Our latest piece looks at the hidden economy of migration. novastan.org/en/society/remi…

Most Bukharan Jews no longer live in Central Asia. From Bukhara and Samarkand to Queens, Vienna and Toronto, their story is now one of migration, memory, language and reinvention. novastan.org/en/culture-spor…

Central Asia’s forests are under growing pressure from climate change, fires, overgrazing and illegal logging. Our latest piece by @MathieuL5 looks at why these fragile ecosystems matter - and what is being done to protect them. novastan.org/en/environment/…

“Follow the invoices.” @mariusdrag explains how money shapes journalism - from state advertising and donor funding to subscriptions, grants and AI-driven disruption. novastan.org/en/kyrgyzstan/i…

“Mongolia does not need to choose between Russia and China.” Researcher @lady_bolor explains how Ulaanbaatar balances its two neighbours while deepening ties with “third neighbours” such as South Korea, Japan, India and the EU. novastan.org/en/politics/mon…

Afghanistan is often reduced to clichés like the “graveyard of empires.” Political scientist @fahimabdullatif explains why those narratives obscure how the Afghan state actually formed - and why it collapsed in 2021. novastan.org/en/politics/afg…

Photography can preserve more than an image. It can preserve a way of life. Mongolian photographer Ganzorig Miimaa reflects on documenting people, traditions and landscapes at a time of profound social and cultural change. @500px novastan.org/en/interview/ga…

“Engagement without benchmarks becomes normalisation.” @NilofarAyoubi argues that international engagement with the Taliban must carry measurable conditions on women’s education, employment, movement and participation in public life. novastan.org/en/uzbekistan/n…

When does reform actually change people’s lives? Former UNDP Resident Representative @MatildaDimovska reflects on public services in Uzbekistan, disability inclusion, women’s participation, and Mongolia’s struggle with energy poverty and air pollution. novastan.org/en/uzbekistan/u…

Novastan has reached 6,000 Instagram followers - and, for the 1st time, one of our posts has received more than 1,000 likes! 🎉 Thank you to everyone helping independent journalism about Central Asia reach new audiences. Want to support our work? Donate: donorbox.org/support-novasta…

Our #photooftheday by Danil Usmanov novastan.org/en/photo-of-the… Danil Usmanov’s exhibition “The Valley of the Winds” at the L’Aléatoire gallery, from Saturday 6 June 2026 until Saturday 13 June 2026.

Our #photooftheday by : Salomé Aldeguer-Roure (France) In Konorchek Canyon, about two hours from Bishkek, the mineral landscape unfolds in shades of ochre. novastan.org/en/photo-of-the…

Our #photooftheday by Gereon Wintz novastan.org/en/photo-of-the… Barely fifty years ago, this goitered gazelle was on the brink of extinction. Today, around 5,000 animals once again roam Altyn-Emel National Park, Kazakhstan.

Our #photooftheday by Simone Bergonzi (Italy, @simobergz) Mukhtar Auezov postly.app/4a3a