Central Asia - Catalyst

U.S. Intervention and Taliban Influence on Food Insecurity in Afghanistan

February 20, 2022February 16, 2022 Laila Mirza

While it is easy to blame only the Taliban for all the problems present in Afghanistan, it is vital to understand the influence that US intervention has on the situation. It is very likely that the Taliban would have never gained such influence or even come into existence without the ill-fated efforts of the United States.

Empowering Women in Rural Balochistan through Midwifery: The MLCD Project

November 9, 2021November 19, 2021 Laila Mirza

I had the opportunity to speak with Dr. Quratulain Bakhteari, the founder of IDSP and mastermind behind the MLCD project, on why this project is crucial to the people of Balochistan and how it is positively impacting their lives.

A Troubled Past Unburied: The Return of the Taliban to Power in Afghanistan

November 8, 2021November 8, 2021 Tara Orange

For those who lived through the first Taliban regime, memories spark fear that they will return to a place of little to no freedom of expression, minimal employment, poor security, and, more specifically, gender inequality.

The Myth of the Oriental Beauty: The History of the Hypersexualization of Asian Women

April 9, 2021November 10, 2021 Ruolan Ma

After nearly 200 years, Asian women are still not being given the respect and dignity that they deserve, all because of a sick and incorrect stereotype. When will the world stop seeing Asian women through this hypersexualizing and dehumanizing filter?

Electoral Unrest in Kyrgyzstan

November 1, 2020November 10, 2021 Emily Duecker

Kyrgyzstan has a reputation of being one of the only countries in central Asia to have a semi- democratic government. Despite this, the country is no stranger to political unrest: in the past 15 years, two presidents have been overthrown by revolts, and recent developments in the ongoing situation hint there could be a third.

Coronavirus Outbreak: Discussing the Effectiveness of the Chinese Government’s Response

February 5, 2020November 10, 2021 Enkhuun Byambadorj

Fear and panic engulfed China’s usually vibrant and thunderous New Year festivities, as the country was faced with the outbreak of a novel coronavirus originating in Wuhan, China, the capital of Hubei province. December 8th, 2019 witnessed the first death … Continue reading