Central Asia

Religious liberties in Central Asia are under threat, the US State Department's annual International Religious Freedom Report finds.

Religious liberties in Central Asia are under threat, the US State Department's annual International Religious Freedom Report finds.

October marks the beginning of military call-up season in much of Central Asia. But Talant, a 24-year-old Kyrgyz man, says he intends to avoid the draft at any cost.

"Under current circumstances in the army, I wouldn't want to serve in the armed forces,' said Talant.

"We hear a lot about bullying in the army, about poor social conditions in the army."

Jovid always dreamed of becoming a police officer, but now he finds himself taking exams to become a tax collector.

Presidents of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) have gathered in the Kyrgyz lakeside resort of Cholpon-Ata for what is being billed as an informal summit.