A graduate of Political Studies from American University of Central Asia. I live and work in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
Latest posts by Zukhra Iakupbaeva
What Does ISIS Want From Central Asia?
Does the radical group look to the region for cheap manpower, physical territory, or both?
Kyrgyz Rappers Trash Bribe-Takers in Hip-Hop News Segment
"There are no clean people on this old stage."
Remembering the Kyrgyz Woman Who Adopted 150 Children During the Siege of Leningrad
'Here is an example of a truly human relationship to other people! I hope that she raised her children the way she was herself. As real people!'
Leader of the Nation to Rescue Kazakhstan's Economy
Living next to Russia and being dependent on oil have made life difficult for Kazakhstan, which is about to re-elect its 74-year-old leader ahead of schedule.
ISIS Claim Their Kazakh Children Are Murdering Russian Spies [UPDATED]
Radical group ISIS released footage today of what it says is a Kazakh child assassinating two agents of Russia's Federal Security Service. Should we believe it?
Fear of ISIS Threatens Media Freedom in Kyrgyzstan
A Kyrgyz media outlet refused government requests to delete a reposted video of Kazakh children training in ISIS camps. Now it is partly blocked in both countries.
Kazakh Authorities Censor Videos of Children in ISIS Training Camps
Videos of Kazakh children in ISIS training camps have gone viral. Now the government is engaged in a futile damage limitation exercise.
Thousands of Miles Away From Ebola, Kazakh Scientists Promise a Vaccine
Central Asia has no recorded cases of Ebola yet, but while citizens of one country in the region are avoiding bananas, scientists in another are striving for a vaccine.
Uzbekistan's Controversial Cotton Harvest ‘Feeds the Regime, not Citizens’
Another violent and exploitative cotton season wraps up in Uzbekistan. The harvest's front line, from teachers and schoolchildren to doctors and nurses, will be the last to see the profits.
Tajikistan Still Debating the Good and Evil of Halloween
The holiday of Halloween is back on the government's agenda in Tajikistan, meaning citizens in possession of a pumpkin should beware.
Kyrgyzstan's Historical Matriarch Makes a Bid for an Oscar
The seven figure budget of Kurmanjan Datka: Queen of the Mountains may not raise eyebrows in Hollywood, but in Kyrgyzstan the film has divided movie-goers and spurred an Oscar charge.
Eating Central Asian Plov in New York and London
Plov, a Central Asian meat, rice and carrot staple, is becoming a delicacy in London and New York, where regional culinary traditions are pleasing locals and expatriates alike.
Central Asia and South Korea Are More Connected Than You Might Think
South Korea is an unheralded but important partner to the post-Soviet states of Central Asia, serving both as a destination for Central Asian migrants and a source of regional trade.
All Aboard! This is Landlocked Kyrgyzstan's Train to the Coast!
The train to the seaside is a time-honored tradition in countries across the world. Even countries like Kyrgyzstan, that don't have a sea.
Alexander Sodiqov Is Not the First Person to Be Arrested in Tajikistan for Doing His Job
The Tajik government's arrest of Alexander Sodiqov for conducting academic research in Tajikistan's troubled GBAO region echoes the arrest of a BBC journalist in the same country three years ago.
Between Ukraine and Russia, Kazakhstan's Chocolate Might Come Out a Winner
Kazakhstanis can be very, very patriotic about their national chocolate, Rakhat. With Ukrainian chocolate disappearing from the lucrative Russian market, some hope it is Rakhat's turn to shine.
