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Catherine Putz

Catherine Putz

The Diplomat

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Kyrgyz Supreme Court Dismissed Kloop’s Appeal of ‘Extremist’ Declaration

The beleaguered outlet, and its founder, had been branded “extremist” in October 2025.

09.03.2026 4

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz

The US Hasn’t Designated Violators of International Religious Freedom Since 2023

In its latest report, USCIRF has urged the Trump administration to finally make designations of egregious violators of religious freedoms.

05.03.2026 10

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz

Man Convicted in Allamjonov Assassination Plot Dead by Suicide in Prison

According to RFE/RL's Uzbek Service, Ismail Jahongirov – sentenced last year to 23 years in prison – died by suicide while in the prison’s...

04.03.2026 3

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz

Central Asia Watches, Worries, as Conflict Threatens to Engulf the Middle East

It’s awkward to be on record calling Trump the “president of peace” as he plunges the Middle East into a likely catastrophic conflict.

02.03.2026 7

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz

EU Sanctions Envoy Asks Kyrgyzstan to Stop Helping Russia Dodge Sanctions

"We are not asking Kyrgyzstan not to have trading relations with Russia. We only ask that that trading relationship does not involve the deliberate...

26.02.2026 6

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz

Ukraine Rebuked by Washington Over Caspian Pipeline Consortium Strikes

Ukraine’s ambassador to the U.S. said the complaint cited the risks posed to “American investments which are being performed through Kazakhstan.”

25.02.2026 10

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz

Where Did Tajik President Emomali Rahmon Disappear To? And Why Does It Matter?

Rahmon surfaced after an apparent 17-day absence on February 14. His stepping out of the limelight stirred up rumors of ill health.

23.02.2026 40

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz

Early Presidential Election Off the Table in Kyrgyzstan

And Japarov’s time in office seems to have been given an end-date: 2032.

19.02.2026 20

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz

Security Shakeup in Kyrgyzstan Continues to Unfold

The Border Service has been taken out from under the GKNB and at least five people who signed a letter calling for early presidential elections have...

12.02.2026 1

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz

Kazakhstan Rushes Forward With Constitutional Referendum, Date Set for March 15

Less than six months ago, Tokayev said haste in changing the constitution was “completely inappropriate.” 

11.02.2026 3

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz

Citing ‘Unity,’ Kyrgyz President Japarov Dismisses Key Ally, Security Chief Tashiev

The surprise dismissal comes while Tashiev is reportedly out of the country.

11.02.2026 4

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz

How Did Japan’s Space Program Evolve?

In "The Islands and the Stars," Subodhana Wijeyeratne charts how Tokyo's space program has changed over the past century.

10.02.2026 6

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz

Why Did Canadian Firm Laramide Abandon a Uranium Project in Kazakhstan?

Laramide President and CEO Marc Henderson called recent changes to the country's subsoil use law “a spectacular own goal." He characterized it as...

10.02.2026 8

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz

In Kyrgyzstan, US Special Envoy Gor Brushes Aside Visa Restrictions, Promotes Business

U.S. policy toward Central Asia has narrowed to the economic realm.

05.02.2026 4

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz

Traffic Jam at Kazakh-Kyrgyz Border Result of Increased Inspections

Kazakh authorities, and the Eurasian Economic Commission, say the slowdown is resulting from increased measure to combat the “illegal trafficking of...

04.02.2026 4

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz

Kazakh Ministry of Defense Outlines Emergency Measures in Wake of Recent Deaths

Since the start of 2026, at least four Kazakh servicemen – mostly young conscripts – have died in accidents, some with murky circumstances and...

29.01.2026 4

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz

UN Expert Urges Uzbekistan to Release Tajimuratov Amid Continued Torture Allegations

The Karakalpak lawyer was sentenced in 2023 to 16 years in prison; ever since there have been consist reports of his mistreatment and torture.

29.01.2026 30

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz

Kyrgyzstan Files EAEU Lawsuit Against Russia Over Migrant Medical Care

Bishkek has reportedly taken Moscow to the EAEU court over Russia's failure to provide social protection – medical insurance – to the families of...

28.01.2026 4

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz

Former Uzbekneftegaz Chairman Reportedly Detained

Uzbek media reports that Bakhodir Siddikov, until mid-December head of Uzbekistan’s state oil and gas company, has been taken into custody amid a...

28.01.2026 10

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz

Kazkahstan, Uzbekistan Sign On to Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’

Central Asia’s two largest states have both sought to court the famously temperamental and transactional U.S. president.

23.01.2026 10

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz

Sayragul Sauytbay Speaks: Xinjiang, China, and Fighting for Justice

“I believe that, eventually, the Chinese government will pay the price for its actions.”

20.01.2026 7

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz

Aspiring Political Parties in Kazakhstan Continue to Meet With Rejection

Despite presidential pledges to expand opportunities for the development of parties, Kazakhs seeking to register new political parties are more often...

16.01.2026 5

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz

US Pauses Immigrant Visa Processing for 75 Countries, 13 in Asia-Pacific

The Asian countries apparently impacted include Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal,...

15.01.2026 10

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz

What Progress Has Been Made on Cleaning up Central Asia’s Uranium Legacy Sites?

Four of seven high priority sites have been remediated, with work underway at a fifth, partially completed but apparently stalled at a sixth, and...

13.01.2026 9

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz

Uzbekistan Eyes March 2026 Accession to the WTO

Tashkent’s progress with the WTO accelerated in 2023 and the finish line is in sight.

09.01.2026 7

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz

Uzbekistan Reimposes Gas Station Restrictions

For the second time in a month, Uzbek authorities have restricted hours at methane filling stations due to a drop in gas pipeline pressure.

09.01.2026 10

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz

Kyrgyz Deputy Prime Minister Suggests a Review of Visa-Free Scheme for Americans

Following the imposition of visa bonds for Kyrgyz travelers to the United States, a Kyrgyz politician has suggested Bishkek reassess its visa-free...

08.01.2026 6

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz

Violence in Northern Afghanistan Pits Locals Against Gold Mining Operators and the Taliban

At least four were killed in a recent outbreak of violence between locals and a gold mining company allegedly backed by the Taliban.

08.01.2026 7

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz

US Expands Visa Bond List to Include Bangladesh, Tonga, and Kyrgyzstan, Among Other Asian Countries

While the pilot program largely targets countries in Africa, the latest expansion includes countries in Central Asia, South Asia, and the Pacific. 

07.01.2026 4

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz

Sure, Turkmen Can Get Visas to Visit the US Again. It May Cost $15,000.

The visa bond pilot program mandates that otherwise eligible applicants for business or tourism visas from select countries, now including...

06.01.2026 6

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz

Kazakhstan Takes Up Chairmanship of EAEU for 2026

Tokayev proposed that the EAEU focus on artificial intelligence, logistics, digitalization, free trade, and global dialogue.

05.01.2026 10

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz

Ukraine: Reacting to ‘Russian Fakes’ Beneath the Dignity of Central Asian States

In the aftermath of an alleged attack on one of Putin's residences, the Central Asian governments came out quickly with calls and condemnations,...

02.01.2026 5

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz

Does It Matter That Trump Invited Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan to the 2026 G20 Summit?

As non-members, the G-20 has not been particularly relevant for either Kazakhstan or Uzbekistan. What’s relevant is the U.S. president’s attention.

31.12.2025 10

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz

Kazakh Senate Approves Law Banning ‘LGBTQ’ Propaganda”

The law goes to President Tokayev next for signature.

18.12.2025 5

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz

Even as US Travel Bans Expand, Turkmenistan Gets Good News

Unique among those countries subject to travel bans by the U.S. earlier this year, restrictions on the issuance of nonimmigrant visas to Turkmen...

17.12.2025 8

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz

What’s Behind China’s Trouble on the Afghanistan-Tajikistan Border?

An interview with Edward Lemon on the recent attacks targeting Chinese workers near the Afghanistan-Tajikistan border.

10.12.2025 10

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz

Petition Against Kazakhstan’s Proposed ‘LGBTQ Propaganda’ Law Rejected

The law is set for consideration in the Senate next week.

10.12.2025 6

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz

Death Penalty Reinstatement ‘Legally Impossible,’ Kyrgyz Constitutional Court Says

Kyrgyzstan abolished capital punishment in 2007; President Japarov has suggested reinstating it as a way to confront horrific crimes against women and...

10.12.2025 6

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz

Kambarata-1 to See Joint Financing From Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan in 2026

2026 looks to be a pivotal year in which the trilateral hydropower project will either make serious steps forward or languish, as previous efforts...

10.12.2025 8

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz

Kyrgyz Election Commission Tosses Results From District With Highest Turnout, Citing Violations

The commission says all 14 candidates won’t be permitted to run again for the seat, but a court could reverse that decision.

05.12.2025 7

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz

Kazakhstan’s Orda.kz Raided, Editor Placed Under House Arrest

Pressure has allegedly been mounting for months on the popular outlet.

04.12.2025 20

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz

5 Chinese Workers Killed in 2 Attacks in Tajikistan Along Afghan Border

In one of the attacks, a drone was reportedly used to drop grenades on Chinese workers.

03.12.2025 20

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz

Voters Favor Presidential Allies Amid ‘Stifled’ Political Scene in Kyrgyzstan

A quiet campaign resulted in low turnout for the election of a diminished parliament.

02.12.2025 20

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz

Kyrgyz Authorities Arrest Alleged Protest Plotters Ahead of Election

Once again, the Kyrgyz government has cried wolf as an election approached.

25.11.2025 10

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz

In Kazakhstan, Both Pro- and Anti-Russian Voice Are Urged Toward Silence

A pro-Russian blogger was sentenced to nearly four years; meanwhile, an activist urging the boycotting of Russian artists was called in for a...

20.11.2025 5

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz

Uzbekistan Agrees to Continue Supplying Afghanistan With Electricity

Meanwhile, Taliban officials said earlier this year that the CASA-1000 project would be completed in the next one to two years.

19.11.2025 9

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz

Asia’s Women on the Frontlines of Climate Change

"Despite its importance, women’s work is frequently undervalued and rendered invisible by government, private sector and donor-driven programs."

19.11.2025 6

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz

Destruction in the Heart of Old Samarkand

Forced evictions began in the spring in the neighborhood adjacent to the modest al-Maturidi mausoleum. Then the demolition began. 

13.11.2025 5

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz

Uzbekistan: A Silk Mirage

An interview with Joanna Lillis on the contrasts between "new" and "old" Uzbekistan.

13.11.2025 7

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz

A C5+1 or 5 C1+1s: The New Math of US Central Asia Policy

The focus of the C5 1 has narrowed to the economic realm, yielding big deals and sidelining big challenges. 

11.11.2025 9

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz