Central Asia’s Combined ‘Army of Turan’: Could a Hypothesis Become a Reality?
Kazakhstan will host the military exercise, "Birlestik-2024" in July of this year. Notably, this became known from the press service of the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan. The exercises will be jointly held by the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. It is a convenient occasion to refresh the topic of the 'Army of Turan', which is periodically raised by experts both in Central Asia and neighboring countries.
The Army of Turan is a hypothetical military bloc of Turkic-speaking coun...
Focus on Ethnic Germans in Kazakhstan
On 21 May, Astana hosted the 20th meeting of the Kazakh-German Intergovernmental Commission for the Affairs of Ethnic Germans in Kazakhstan, co-chaired by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Roman Vassilenko and Germany’s Federal Government Commissioner for Matters Related to Ethnic German Resettlers and National Minorities, Member of the...
Amid Russian Sanctions, Kazakhstan Can Benefit From Shanghai Cooperation Organization
After Astana hosted the latest meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states, Almaty-based financial analyst and expert in cross border business and asset value recovery, Rassul Rysmambetov believes that Kazakhstan still has huge potential in the organization that is yet to be...
U.S. and Kazakhstan Discuss Shared Values at High-Level Dialogue on Human Rights and Democratic Reforms
The United States and the Republic of Kazakhstan held their third annual High-Level Dialogue on Human Rights and Democratic Reforms on May 20, 2024, in Astana, Kazakhstan. The U.S. delegation was headed by Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights Uzra Zeya, while the Kazakh delegation...
Higher Education in Central Asia: Leaders and Outsiders
In June, it will be three years since the signing of a declaration at a forum held in the city of Turkestan between the heads of the Ministries of Education of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Kyrgyzstan. According to the document, the Central Asian states agreed to expand cooperation and...
The Outlook for Kazakhstan’s Rail Network
As a core infrastructure industry, railways play a strategic role in Kazakhstan’s economy. Today, over 50% of freight in the country is transported by rail, while the figure for passengers is 15%. Kazakhstan’s favorable geographical position between the largest producer of goods in the world, Asia, and the largest consumer,...
One Dead and Six Missing in Turkmenistan Mudslides
One soldier has been killed and six are missing during mudslides caused by recent heavy rains in Turkmenistan. It is being reported that the man died at the Serakhs border outpost in Akhal province. "On May 17, around 17:00 hours, seven soldiers from the 16-border outpost of the Border Troops connection...
Arrest Made in Connection with Bishkek Unrest
The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Kyrgyzstan has announced the detention and opening of a criminal case against a man suspected of beating foreigners during unrest which occurred on the night of May 18, leaving 41 people hospitalized. The suspect also allegedly transported people to places where foreigners lived during...
Kyrgyzstan’s President Warns of Swift Crackdown If Unrest Flares Again
President Sadyr Japarov of Kyrgyzstan on Monday has addressed the nation about recent unrest and anti-foreigner sentiment, saying “our hot-blooded youth” were led astray by inflammatory internet posts and warning of a crackdown if it happens again. Japarov spoke after a week of tension in Bishkek that began with a fight...
Construction of First IT Town in Uzbekistan Begins
24 hours ago
Focus on Ethnic Germans in Kazakhstan
1 day ago
The Outlook for Kazakhstan’s Rail Network
2 days ago
Airport Opens in Talas, Kyrgyzstan
2 days ago
Turkic Investment Fund Opens Operation
2 days ago
Central Asia’s Combined ‘Army of Turan’: Could a Hypothesis Become a Reality?
Kazakhstan will host the military exercise, "Birlestik-2024" in July of this year. Notably, this became known from the press service of the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan. The exercises will be jointly held by the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. It is a convenient occasion to...
The Outlook for Kazakhstan’s Rail Network
As a core infrastructure industry, railways play a strategic role in Kazakhstan’s economy. Today, over 50% of freight in the country is transported by rail, while the figure for passengers is 15%. Kazakhstan’s favorable geographical position between the largest producer of goods in the world, Asia, and the largest consumer,...
Central Asian Views on Pro-Palestinian Protests in the West
Pro-Palestinian protests erupted in university campuses and other locations worldwide in response to the ongoing conflict involving the Israeli Defense Forces and Palestinians in Gaza. European cities, including in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Germany, and Belgium, have been major flashpoints where, in some cases, the police resorted to...
Central Asia’s “C5” Security Bloc Can Become a Reality
Central Asia is an emerging economic region that offers the world immense natural resources, a viable trade corridor, and a young, educated workforce. On a diplomatic level, major global powers have sometimes chosen to engage with the five Central Asian nations (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan) as a bloc...
Turkmenistan’s Gas and Türkiye’s Plans to Become a Gas Hub
By Robert M. Cutler A series of ongoing political consultations between Turkmenistan and Türkiye continued on 25–26 April, as a Turkmen delegation led by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ahmet Gurbanov visited Ankara, hosted by Turkish counterpart Burak Akçapar. Beyond the regular bilateral agenda of political-diplomatic, trade-economic and cultural-humanitarian...
Without Security, There Can Be No Development in Afghanistan
Indian author Arundhati Roy once said, “Either way, change will come. It could be bloody, or it could be beautiful. It depends on us.” Almost three years after Taliban’s resurgence to power in Afghanistan, there are practically no developments to highlight in its relations with the outside world. The situation...
Growth of Non-Custodial Sentences in the Kyrgyz Republic Since 2020
The Kyrgyz Republic has reported a decrease of its prison population, which speaks to the ongoing humanization of its criminal justice system. In 2023, the prison population amounted to just 7,728 persons, a 20% decrease compared to 2020 (9,658 prisoners). Despite a 22% increase in the number of convictions, from...
Uzbekistan Seeks to Expand Trade Horizons with Europe
- Opinion by Robert Cutler Uzbekistan's economic landscape has been evolving, with announcements of major reforms and international cooperation aimed at economic modernization and increasing its profile in global markets. Its partnership with the European Union (EU) has focused on critical raw materials. At the same time, Tashkent plans...
The Taliban and its Neighbors: An Outsider’s Perspective
This is part two of a piece of which part one was published here. The topic of a regional approach to solving Afghanistan's problems is increasingly being discussed in various expert and diplomatic circles. The International Crisis Group (ICG), a reputable think tank whose opinion is extremely interesting as part...
Uzbekistan: From Silk Roads to New Horizons
Cradled by the embrace of the Syr Darya and Amu Darya Rivers, Uzbekistan boasts a rich tapestry woven from the threads of history. Being home to trade hubs like Samarkand and Bukhara, this land has been at the center of cultural exchange for over a millennia. From the Turkic-Mongol tribes...
The New Silk Road
In light of the current geopolitical situation in the world, many countries are puzzled by the search for new alternative transport routes. One of these is the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), which runs through China, Kazakhstan, the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and further to Turkey and European countries. New...
Taliban and its Neighbors: A Regional Format for Overcoming Challenges in Afghanistan and Beyond
The process of making Afghanistan an independent economic entity that can work constructively within globally accepted economic standards and formats will require addressing pressing security issues as well as strengthening regional partnerships and cooperation. In the long term, this will not only benefit the people of Afghanistan but also its...
Kazakh PM Meets With German Rhenus Group to Discuss Middle Corridor
Cooperation in the transport and logistics sectors were discussed at a recent meeting between prime minister of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov and the chairman of Rhenus Group Tobias Bartz. Rhenus Group is one of the 25 largest logistics companies in the world, and has a network of 70 terminals in Europe,...
Central Asia’s Combined ‘Army of Turan’: Could a Hypothesis Become a Reality?
Kazakhstan will host the military exercise, "Birlestik-2024" in July of this year. Notably, this became known from the press service of the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan. The exercises will be jointly held by the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. It is a convenient occasion to...
Kyrgyz Pharmacists Speak Against Abolition of Tax Exemptions
Kyrgyzstan's Ministry of Economy and Commerce has submitted for public discussion a draft law abolishing tax exemptions for importers and manufacturers of some medicines. The ministry believes that by abolishing preferences, the government will increase aid to citizens in need. "We will start to collect taxes on medicines. Help those...
Construction of First IT Town in Uzbekistan Begins
The construction of the first IT town in Uzbekistan is underway in the Parkent district of the Tashkent region, the press service of the Ministry of Digital Development has reported. The launch ceremony was held last week, on May 18, with the “Villayat Samsarak: Creative Eco-IT Village” project being presented....
Despite Negative Outlook, Moody’s Upgrades Kyrgyzstan’s Credit Rating
The international rating agency Moody's has raised Kyrgyzstan's credit rating from negative to stable. Contrary to Moody's forecasts, the country's economy and budget indicators have been almost unaffected by western sanctions against Russia, Kyrgyzstan's largest trading partner. The agency had previously speculated that foreign investment in the mining sector could...
Bishkek Thermal Plant Set For Upgrade With Eurasian Development Bank Funds
The Eurasian Development Bank and JSC "Electric Stations" have signed an agreement to buy equipment for Bishkek's thermal power plant. The project, financed by the EDB's Technical Assistance Fund, aims to prevent another accident at the plant, after a serious fault that occurred on 2 February this year. Five people...
Turkmen Scientists Find Way to Make Depleted Gas Wells More Productive
The government of Turkmenistan has reported that a group of scientists working for the state company Türkmengaz have developed a new technology to increase the productivity of depleted gas wells. The technology, which uses hydrogen thermobaric chemicals, impacts the reservoir and increases production of oil, gas, and condensate. This allows...
Eurasian Development Bank To Finance Another Solar Plant in Kyrgyzstan
The Eurasian Development Bank has signed an agreement to finance the construction of a solar power plant in the village of Toru-Aigyr in Kyrgyzstan's Issyk-Kul region. The project, which will use photovoltaic solar energy conversion with an installed capacity of up to 300 MW, will be undertaken in partnership with...
Central Asia’s Combined ‘Army of Turan’: Could a Hypothesis Become a Reality?
Kazakhstan will host the military exercise, "Birlestik-2024" in July of this year. Notably, this became known from the press service of the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan. The exercises will be jointly held by the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. It is a convenient occasion to...
Construction of First IT Town in Uzbekistan Begins
The construction of the first IT town in Uzbekistan is underway in the Parkent district of the Tashkent region, the press service of the Ministry of Digital Development has reported. The launch ceremony was held last week, on May 18, with the “Villayat Samsarak: Creative Eco-IT Village” project being presented....
Higher Education in Central Asia: Leaders and Outsiders
In June, it will be three years since the signing of a declaration at a forum held in the city of Turkestan between the heads of the Ministries of Education of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Kyrgyzstan. According to the document, the Central Asian states agreed to expand cooperation and...
NGOs in Kyrgyzstan Have Two Months to Register as “Foreign Agents”
Kyrgyzstan's Ministry of Justice has approved the creation of a register for "non-governmental organizations performing the functions of a foreign representative", which gives authorities the right to inspect their activities. All non-profit agencies that receive foreign funding have been given two months from 16 May to submit documents to the...
Prospective Kazakh Citizens Must Know Country’s Language and History
Under a new law, people applying for Kazakh citizenship will be refused if they do not show at least basic knowledge of the country's language, history and constitution, reports Kursiv. Ministry of Internal Affairs representative Shyngys Alekeshev commented on the law: "The elementary level will be determined by the Ministry...
Turkmenistan Bans People From Talking About the Weather
For almost ten days Turkmenistan's capital Ashgabat has been flooded with rain, in what local meteorologists think have been the worst downpours since the 1970s. The rain has caused significant damage to the city's infrastructure. The Akhal province has also been badly affected, with agricultural land flooded. Mudflows hit the...
A Demographic Phenomenon in Kazakhstan — the Population is Rapidly Getting Younger
Kazakhstan stands out sharply on the demographic map of the world, according to Alexei Raksha, a Russian demographer. The republic's government supports high birth rates, which not only bring significant benefits but can also be a source of risk. Independent demographer Raksha has repeatedly said that Kazakhstan does not fit...
Floods in Kazakhstan: Affected Citizens Make Demands to the Authorities
The situation with floods in several regions of Kazakhstan remains critical. In Atyrau region, it has already acquired the character of a political crisis; in the city of Kulsary, since May 15, residents, dissatisfied with the amount of compensation offered have continued to speak out. On May 20, the Ministry...
Kazakh PM Meets With German Rhenus Group to Discuss Middle Corridor
Cooperation in the transport and logistics sectors were discussed at a recent meeting between prime minister of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov and the chairman of Rhenus Group Tobias Bartz. Rhenus Group is one of the 25 largest logistics companies in the world, and has a network of 70 terminals in Europe,...
Central Asia’s Combined ‘Army of Turan’: Could a Hypothesis Become a Reality?
Kazakhstan will host the military exercise, "Birlestik-2024" in July of this year. Notably, this became known from the press service of the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan. The exercises will be jointly held by the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. It is a convenient occasion to...
U.S., Uzbekistan Discuss Judicial Reforms and Combating Corruption
On May 22, US deputy secretary of state Uzra Zeya visited Uzbekistan and met with foreign minister Bakhtiyor Saidov. “We discussed several pressing issues on our bilateral agenda, and we agreed to continue our efforts to enrich the close cooperation between Uzbekistan and the USA in all areas, especially to...
Amid Russian Sanctions, Kazakhstan Can Benefit From Shanghai Cooperation Organization
After Astana hosted the latest meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states, Almaty-based financial analyst and expert in cross border business and asset value recovery, Rassul Rysmambetov believes that Kazakhstan still has huge potential in the organization that is yet to be...
U.S. and Kazakhstan Discuss Shared Values at High-Level Dialogue on Human Rights and Democratic Reforms
The United States and the Republic of Kazakhstan held their third annual High-Level Dialogue on Human Rights and Democratic Reforms on May 20, 2024, in Astana, Kazakhstan. The U.S. delegation was headed by Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights Uzra Zeya, while the Kazakh delegation...
Eurasian Development Bank To Finance Another Solar Plant in Kyrgyzstan
The Eurasian Development Bank has signed an agreement to finance the construction of a solar power plant in the village of Toru-Aigyr in Kyrgyzstan's Issyk-Kul region. The project, which will use photovoltaic solar energy conversion with an installed capacity of up to 300 MW, will be undertaken in partnership with...
Turkic Investment Fund Opens Operation
The inaugural meeting of the Board of Governors of the Turkic Investment Fund (TIF) was hosted by Istanbul on 21 May. The Turkic Investment Fund, the first financial institution for economic integration of the countries of the Turkic world was officially established by Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkey on...
NGOs in Kyrgyzstan Have Two Months to Register as “Foreign Agents”
Kyrgyzstan's Ministry of Justice has approved the creation of a register for "non-governmental organizations performing the functions of a foreign representative", which gives authorities the right to inspect their activities. All non-profit agencies that receive foreign funding have been given two months from 16 May to submit documents to the...
Higher Education in Central Asia: Leaders and Outsiders
In June, it will be three years since the signing of a declaration at a forum held in the city of Turkestan between the heads of the Ministries of Education of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Kyrgyzstan. According to the document, the Central Asian states agreed to expand cooperation and...
Ruins of a Sixth-Century Castle Discovered in Tajikistan
Archaeologists have found the ruins of an ancient castle in the Tajik city of Penjikent, the National Museum of Tajikistan has reported on its social networks. The ruins were found by an archeology specialist from the museum, Muhsin Bobomulloyev. The castle likely consisted of two floors, the first made from...
A Demographic Phenomenon in Kazakhstan — the Population is Rapidly Getting Younger
Kazakhstan stands out sharply on the demographic map of the world, according to Alexei Raksha, a Russian demographer. The republic's government supports high birth rates, which not only bring significant benefits but can also be a source of risk. Independent demographer Raksha has repeatedly said that Kazakhstan does not fit...
Lost Identities: Tackling Statelessness in Central Asia
The collapse of the Soviet Union and the subsequent emergence of 15 new countries transformed what was once considered internal migration, leaving an extraordinary number of people marooned across newly established borders. Many found themselves holding obsolete Soviet passports or lacking any documentation with which to verify their birthplace. Such...
Why Have Cases of Abduction of Women for Marriage Not Decreased in Kazakhstan?
In Kazakhstan, the statistics related to criminal cases regarding the abduction of women as brides does not show material change, a study conducted by analysts at Ranking.kz shows. Referring to the data of the Committee on Legal Statistics and Special Records of the General Prosecutor's Office of Kazakhstan, the authors...
Educating Uzbekistan: QR Codes, Quizzes and Some Critical Thought
The Times of Central Asia visited a school in Uzbekistan and talked to students and teachers for a report about the government's push to reform education. --- Break time at a school in Uzbekistan. Clusters of students in uniform – white shirt and dark trousers or skirts - chatter in...
Sixth Eurasia Creative Guild Film Festival to be Held in the U.K.
From May 24-28, Premier Cinemas Romford will host the Eurasia Creative Guild (ECG) Film Festival, in collaboration with the Romford Film Festival for the sixth consecutive year, featuring a diverse line-up of films from across the globe. Founded by the ECG to foster deeper cultural ties and understanding, the festival...
French ELLE to be published in Uzbekistan
The world-famous fashion, beauty, lifestyle, health and entertainment magazine, ELLE will now be published in Uzbekistan. Founded in 1945 by Ellen Gordon-Lazarev, ELLE is currently the world's largest fashion magazine, reaching 32 million readers and more than 90 million unique visitors per month on 56 local sites. When social media...
Another Uzbek Citizen Convicted of Insulting Mirziyoyev
A court in Uzbekistan has sentenced a 28-year-old Almalyk resident to correctional labor for insulting the country's president Shavkat Mirziyoyev. The man said he wrote insulting comments on the internet during a fit of anger because he had received several fines from the tax office. According to the case, the...
Arrest Made in Connection with Bishkek Unrest
The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Kyrgyzstan has announced the detention and opening of a criminal case against a man suspected of beating foreigners during unrest which occurred on the night of May 18, leaving 41 people hospitalized. The suspect also allegedly transported people to places where foreigners lived during...
Kyrgyzstan’s President Warns of Swift Crackdown If Unrest Flares Again
President Sadyr Japarov of Kyrgyzstan on Monday has addressed the nation about recent unrest and anti-foreigner sentiment, saying “our hot-blooded youth” were led astray by inflammatory internet posts and warning of a crackdown if it happens again. Japarov spoke after a week of tension in Bishkek that began with a fight...
Lost Identities: Tackling Statelessness in Central Asia
The collapse of the Soviet Union and the subsequent emergence of 15 new countries transformed what was once considered internal migration, leaving an extraordinary number of people marooned across newly established borders. Many found themselves holding obsolete Soviet passports or lacking any documentation with which to verify their birthplace. Such...
UN Special Rapporteurs Denounce Repressions of Independent Media in Kyrgyzstan
A number of UN Special Rapporteurs have denounced the repression of independent media in Kyrgyzstan and sent a letter to the authorities of the country. In the letter, they mentioned recent events related to the publications Kloop, 24.kg and Temirov Live, Vesti.kg reports. The UN Special Rapporteurs called on the...
“I Hope Saltanat’s Family Can Find Peace” – Women of Kazakhstan Speak Out on Bishimbayev’s Sentence
On November 9, 2023, former Kazakh Minister of the National Economy, Kuandyk Bishimbayev was caught on surveillance cameras arguing with and then brutally beating his common-law wife, 31-year-old Saltanat Nukenova, for around eight hours outside a restaurant he owned in Astana. A forensic examination showed that she had been strangled,...
Kazakhstan Still Repatriating Its Citizens From War Zones
Kazakhstan is still repatriating its citizens from war zones, 24KZ reports. Since 2019, more than 750 Kazakhs have been successfully repatriated to the republic as part of a humanitarian operation. Similar efforts are underway in other Central Asian countries. For example, Uzbek authorities have evacuated more than 500 citizens from...
Nationwide Survey on Domestic Violence in Kazakhstan Publishes Results
A large-scale statistical analysis on domestic violence in Kazakhstan was conducted by three professors from Karaganda Medical University: Saule Musabekova, Ksenia Mkhitaryan and Hamida Abdukadirova. The study, conducted between 2019 and 2022, covered 14,342 women between the ages of 18 and 75 from 14 regions of Kazakhstan. The questionnaire included...
More Irrigation Water Pledged for Southern Kazakhstan
A revision of interstate water flow limits for Kazakhstan, through the operation of transboundary rivers and canals, has been approved by the country’s upstream neighbors. The agreement made on 20 May, which will increase the supply of irrigation water during this year’s growing season, aims to benefit farmers in the...
Turkmenistan Bans People From Talking About the Weather
For almost ten days Turkmenistan's capital Ashgabat has been flooded with rain, in what local meteorologists think have been the worst downpours since the 1970s. The rain has caused significant damage to the city's infrastructure. The Akhal province has also been badly affected, with agricultural land flooded. Mudflows hit the...
Bishkek Bets on Bikes and Buses
To alleviate congestion and traffic bottlenecks in the capital, the Bishkek Mayor's Office has green-lit a strategic plan for enhancing the city's road transport infrastructure over the 2024-2030 period. This initiative, as detailed on the municipal website, encompasses an ambitious range of projects. Highlights include the construction of bridges and...
EU to Allocate €600,000 to Uzbekistan for Green Budgeting
An agreement on financing a new project in support of green development in Uzbekistan was signed on May 6 by representatives of the French Development Agency (AFD), the European Union, and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). According to the UNDP's press service, the project aims to assist the Uzbek...
“This Disaster Has Shown We Are All United”: An Interview with Zakirzhan Kharisovich, Deputy of Petropavlovsk, about the Kazakh Floods
This spring Kazakhstan struggled to contain flooding that displaced upwards of 120,000 people -- described by president Kasym-Jomart Tokayev as the country’s ‘worst natural disaster in 80 years’. With the flooding now contained, and excess water being repurposed, The Times of Central Asia spoke to Zakirzhan Kharisovich, a deputy of...
Favorable Water Volumes Forecast for Uzbekistan’s Amu Darya and Syr Darya Rivers
According to the news agency UzA, Uzbekistan's Minister of Water Management Shavkat Hamroyev told a parliamentary hearing that watersheds from the Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers are forecast as favorable this year. The announcement was made in response to Muqaddas Tirkasheva, a member of the lower house of parliament,...
ADB Allocates $56 Million for Sewage Treatment Plant to Protect Issyk-Kul
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has agreed to allocate money for the construction of a sewage treatment plant in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan's main resort city on the northern shore of the high-mountain Lake Issyk-Kul, which is the crown jewel of the Kyrgyz tourism industry. . According to the State Agency of...
Military in Kazakhstan Head Back to Bases After Working to Contain Floods
Kazakh military units that deployed to help with flood control measures in the past weeks are returning to their barracks as the crisis that hit large parts of the country winds down. “Due to the stabilization of the situation and the drop in water levels, some of the personnel and...
