Levi Bridges
Russia's war turns Armenia into a booming tech sector
Thousands of Russian tech workers have fled to Armenia, helping the country’s tech sector double in size and fueling dramatic economic growth over the last year.
Georgia faces a rocky road to EU membership
‘You have no rights here’: Ukrainian refugees in Georgia struggle to find affordable housing
War in Ukraine sparks fertilizer crisis that may impact the future of global food production
Critical permafrost research in Russia disrupted by war in Ukraine
Most of the world’s permafrost lies in Russia. Critical research looks at how melting permafrost contributes to global warming. But sanctions against Russia this year have disrupted field work and threatened collaborations among scientists.
War disrupts Ukrainian soccer, but the game still goes on
Ukraine didn't qualify for this year’s World Cup, and Russia was banned from the games. But soccer goes on in both countries, amid a war that could decide the future of the sport in Crimea and eastern Ukraine.
Russia’s war creates economic hardships for Central Asian migrants
As the Russian economy starts to slow down because of Western sanctions, migrant workers from Central Asia, who often work low-wage jobs in Russia, have been some of the first to feel the war’s economic impact.
The war in Ukraine is hampering efforts to stop a polio outbreak
Just 10 days before the war began last February, Ukrainian officials launched a nationwide vaccination campaign to stop a rare polio outbreak in the country. But the war has made controlling the outbreak nearly impossible.
Kyrgyzstan’s walnut forests dwindle with increased cattle farming, climate change
Climate change and increased cattle farming have created intense pressure on Kyrgyzstan’s walnut forest — the largest one on Earth. A new app helps herders to better monitor and manage their pastures in an effort to protect the walnut forests.
Maine’s lobster industry is still feeling the effects of the trade war with China
As US-China relations continue to deteriorate over China’s messaging on Taiwan, the Biden administration recently announced it won’t remove tariffs on Chinese goods put in place by former President Donald Trump. The news is a blow to businesses that do substantial business with China.
The Jewish graves in Kyrgyzstan are fading. But a small Jewish community continues to thrive.
An estimated 40,000 Jews fled fighting in the western part of the Soviet Union during World War II and sought refuge in Central Asia. Today, only about 1,500 Jews still live in Kyrgyzstan, but the small community continues to thrive.
Longtime refugees in Georgia say goodbye to the Soviet-era sanatoriums they called home
Displaced people have spent decades living in old sanatoriums and hotels scattered throughout Georgia. Now, the government plans to restore the dilapidated buildings to boost tourism.
As Putin’s war in Ukraine continues, historians say it’s crucial to reflect on Stalin’s reign in the Soviet era
For some Georgians, Stalin represents a rags-to-riches tale — they see him as the country’s most-famous native son who put Georgia on the map. Others are pushing for a more comprehensive view of the man responsible for millions of deaths.
Russians in Georgia help to evacuate Ukrainians
Hundreds of Russian dissidents and members of civil society who have challenged Vladimir Putin’s government have settled in nearby Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia. The country’s relaxed visa rules and low cost of living have attracted artists, activists and journalists. Some who’ve settled there are now working to support their fellow Russians and protest the war from afar.