The Times Of Central Asia | Eurasian Publication & News Online

Last week, the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council convened in Almaty, where the heads of government from the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) member states agreed to standardize securities trading across their stock exchanges. The agreement is expected to further integrate the financial markets of the five member countries, according to Myktybek Abirov,...

Starlink internet

The Twilight of Starlink in Kazakhstan?

USAID

USAID’s Retreat from Kazakhstan: Central Asia Braces for a New Power Struggle

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has long been a key player in funding various projects in Kazakhstan and Central Asia, supporting both development initiatives and media organizations. However, under the new administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, the agency's activities have been significantly curtailed. With USAID scaling...

Banking

Powering the Green and Economic Revolution: An Interview With Andi Aranitasi, Head of the EBRD in Uzbekistan

Media Freedom

Sentencing of Journalist Rukhshona Khakimova Draws Outrage in Tajikistan

Crime

Kazakhstan Targets Bride Kidnapping

Sunkar Podcast

Repatriating Islamic State Fighters and Families: Balancing Security and Humanity

00:00 / 00:00

Opinions

Does the European Parliament Judge Central Asia Fairly?

Stephen M. Bland

Kazakhstan Ends Era of Cheap Fuel: Price Controls Set for Abolition

Olzhas Baidildinov

Afghanistan as Part of Central Asia: Expectations, Reality, Challenges, and Threats

Aidar Borangaziyev

Kazakhstan Could Save America’s Energy Future

Dr. Robert M. Cutler

Kazakhstan’s High-Stakes Balancing Act in the Aktau Crash Investigation

Dr. Robert M. Cutler

How the Azerbaijan Airlines Crash Could Shake Relations with Russia

Dr. Robert M. Cutler

How Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan Anchor a Strategic Middle-Power Hub in Central Asia

Dr. Robert M. Cutler

Turkmenistan’s Geopolitical Shift Toward the West

Nikola Mikovic

Kazakhstan, with China’s Help, Plans to Export Green Energy to Europe

Nikola Mikovic

Kazakhstan and Taliban Afghanistan: An Overview of Relations

Aidar Borangaziyev

Kazakhstan and Serbia Strengthen Ties Despite Different Geopolitical Paths

Nikola Mikovic

Risk and Reward: Why Savvy Investors Should Dive into Central Asia-Caspian Region

Dr. Elkhan Nuriyev

Business & Economy

Digitalization

Kazakhstan to Build Fiber-Optic Highway for Internet Traffic

On February 6, Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation, and Aerospace Industry signed a memorandum of cooperation with Freedom Telecom Holding Ltd. to construct a fiber-optic highway and data centers for the transit and storage of international internet traffic. According to the ministry, the West-East national highway will significantly expand data transmission capacity and position Kazakhstan as a key hub for international internet traffic transit. The project aims to enhance connection speeds, improve data transfer efficiency, and establish an alternative route for internet traffic between Europe and East Asia. The hyper-highway is scheduled for completion in 2026. It is expected...

Finance

Single Securities Market to Be Launched in the EAEU

Agriculture

Kyrgyzstan to Export Agricultural Products to China

State Budget

Kazakhstan Explores Budget Cuts and Tax Reforms with Input from Elon Musk

Water Management

Uzbekistan to Supply 16 Billion Cubic Meters of Water to Kazakhstan by October 2025

Digitalization

Uzbekistan Sets Digital Performance Targets for Ministers and Khokims

Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has instructed the government to establish individual key performance indicators (KPIs) for each minister and khokim (local governor) to accelerate digitalization reforms. According to presidential spokesperson Sherzod Asadov, officials will not only be assigned specific KPIs but will also be required to meet strict deadlines for task completion. As an example, Mirziyoyev directed the State Committee for Tourism to develop a unified digital platform integrating hotel reservations, airline and rail tickets, museum and theater visits, and services for guides and interpreters. Another priority is expediting the issuance of electronic visas - the Ministries of Foreign Affairs...

International investment

British Company to Produce Flexible Concrete Material in Kyrgyzstan

The government of Kyrgyzstan and British company Concrete Canvas have signed an agreement to build a plant in Kyrgyzstan that will produce flexible concrete canvas, the government’s press service announced on February 6. Concrete Canvas manufactures waterproof, flexible, concrete-filled geosynthetic composite mats, primarily used to line irrigation canals to prevent erosion and reduce seepage losses. The planned production capacity of the new plant is at least 5 million square meters of concrete canvas per year. At the signing ceremony in Bishkek, Chairman of the Kyrgyz Cabinet of Ministers, Adylbek Kasymaliyev, highlighted the project as an example of an effective public-private...

Banking

Powering the Green and Economic Revolution: An Interview With Andi Aranitasi, Head of the EBRD in Uzbekistan

As the Head of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) in Uzbekistan, Andi Aranitasi plays a key role in driving the country’s economic transformation. Under his leadership, the EBRD has expanded its investments in key sectors such as energy, infrastructure, and private enterprise, supporting Uzbekistan’s shift toward a more open and sustainable economy. With a focus on green energy, digitalization, and financial reforms, Aranitasi’s efforts contribute to the nation’s long-term development and integration into global markets. In 2024, the EBRD set an investment record in Uzbekistan by signing off on 34 projects worth €938 million (US $960 million)....

Digital Service

Kazakhstan to Provide Tourists with QR-Code Security Cards

Foreign visitors entering Kazakhstan will now receive a special card with a QR code linking to the multilingual portal SafeTravel.kz, a platform designed to enhance tourist safety and provide access to essential services. The Ministry of Internal Affairs has launched this initiative as part of broader efforts to improve security measures for foreign visitors. Cards with QR codes are now being distributed at border checkpoints and airports, with the first set already in use at Kazakhstan’s international airport in Astana. Through SafeTravel.kz, tourists can access: The "102" mobile app for instant contact with police, including an SOS function A memo...

Local Politics

Starlink internet

The Twilight of Starlink in Kazakhstan?

For every country in the world, the appearance of the internet has presented vast possibilities but also formidable challenges. This was especially true in Central Asia where the governments are obsessed with controlling information that can be accessed by the public. Kazakhstan is unique among the Central Asian states in that the Kazakh government has expended significant energy and resources to make Kazakhstan a modern country with a tech savvy population. Control over the internet remains an issue and has sparked a debate in Kazakhstan about the use of foreign telecommunications satellites. Countrywide Connections In late 2024, Kazakhstan’s Ministry of...

Legislation

Citizens of Kyrgyzstan Can Now Choose Traditional Surnames Under New Law

City Planning

Shopping Center May Be Built Beneath Bishkek’s Ala-Too Square

Energy Infrastructure

Kazakhstan’s Energy Minister Discusses Construction of Three CHP Plants with Russian Participation

Healthcare

Criticism of Kazakhstan’s Health Insurance System Reaches Parliament

Legislation

Kazakhstan Moves to Strengthen Penalties for Inciting Ethnic Hatred

The Ministry of Culture and Information of Kazakhstan has proposed tougher legislation to prevent interethnic and interreligious conflicts. Minister Aida Balayeva emphasized the need to strengthen legal responsibility for inciting discord, highlighting that approximately 4,000 religious associations representing 18 different confessions are registered in Kazakhstan. According to Balayeva, the existing legal framework should be reinforced. "It is necessary to accelerate the process of legal support for this issue," she stated. She added that the government continues to provide grant support to ethno-cultural associations as part of broader efforts to maintain interethnic harmony and unity. The ministry is also intensifying its...

Elections

Citing Restrictions, OSCE Withdraws Observer Mission Ahead of Tajikistan’s Elections

The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe has canceled plans to observe parliamentary elections in Tajikistan in March, saying the authorities have not provided assurances that its mission observers will be accredited for the event. The Dushanbe-based election experts of the OSCE haven’t been able to start working since their observation mission opened on Jan. 22, according to the group’s office for democratic institutions and human rights. The office had concluded that it needed 20 long-term observers and 150 short-term observers to monitor concerns about the impartiality of Tajik election officials, the lack of independence of the judiciary and...

Media

Turkmen Civil Servants Could Lose Jobs for Misusing Newspapers with Pictures of Berdimuhamedovs

Authorities in Turkmenistan have warned civil servants that they could face dismissal for misusing state newspapers featuring images of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and his father, former President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. Officials have been explicitly banned from using these newspapers as toilet paper, food packaging, or firewood. Government employees are now required to sign pledges to “carefully keep the pages” containing photographs of the ruling family. According to civil servants, they have been instructed to ensure that images of the Berdimuhamedovs do not end up in the trash or repurposed for household use. Authorities are reportedly even considering introducing QR codes on...

Kyrgyz-Tajik Border

Kyrgyz-Tajik Villages to Be Relocated as Part of Border Resolution

Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov recently spoke with the Kabar news agency about progress in resolving the Kyrgyz-Tajik border dispute. He also addressed plans for the relocation of villages and homes situated in the checkerboard-like border areas. Progress Toward Resolution Japarov provided an update on the status of negotiations, commenting: “The border issue is almost resolved. Right now, both sides are working on documenting the agreement. After this, the intergovernmental commissions will sign the documents, followed by the foreign ministers. Then, the parliaments of both countries will ratify the agreement. Finally, the presidents of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan will sign it, and...

International Affairs

Media Freedom

Elon Musk Calls for Closure of RFE/RL and VOA: What Would It Mean for Central Asia?

Following recent discussions on the potential closure of USAID, which has already caused concern among journalists and public activists receiving its grants, Elon Musk has weighed in on more U.S.-funded institutions. The billionaire has called for the shutting down of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) and Voice of America (VOA) - media organizations funded by the U.S. government. Musk criticized the outlets, labeling their employees as “radical leftist lunatics who talk to themselves while burning through $1 billion a year of American taxpayer money.” However, in Central Asia, RFE/RL's affiliates differ significantly from their European counterparts. They are far from...

Taliban

Uzbekistan-Afghanistan Relations Falter Over Return of Taliban Helicopters

USAID

USAID’s Retreat from Kazakhstan: Central Asia Braces for a New Power Struggle

Justice

Switzerland to Return $182 Million in Confiscated Gulnara Karimova Assets to Uzbekistan

Tourism

Kyrgyzstan Facilitates Group Travel Tourism from China

Migration

Uzbekistan to Send 7,000 Workers to Russia Under New Agreements

Uzbekistan and Russia have agreed to establish a new system for regulating labor migration. The decision was reached during a meeting in Moscow between the director of Uzbekistan’s Migration Agency, Behzod Musayev, and the head of Russia’s Federal Agency for Labor and Employment, Mikhail Ivankov. A key component of the agreement is the creation of specialized training centers in Uzbekistan to prepare citizens for employment in Russia. These centers will provide essential skills and qualifications to facilitate the transition for Uzbek labor migrants. Additionally, Uzbek workers will now be able to take a required Russian language exam in Tashkent before...

Migrant Workers

Half a World Away: Central Asian Workers on British Farms

Few countries have more patriotic supermarkets than Britain. Whether it’s a sortie through the sausage section, or browsing the fruit aisle, customers are almost guaranteed to be confronted with the red, white and blue of the Union Jack. In a country not famed for its food, it’s perhaps strange to see the national flag given such prominence. The practice is far less common in continental Europe. Nevertheless, over the past decade there has been a push, propelled by an odd alliance of environmentalists and nationalists, to source homegrown food. Retailers have cottoned onto this and seem glad to leave the...

Migration

Are Registry Errors Behind Migrants’ Bank Account Freezes in Russia?

Dozens of migrants in Russia have complained that they were wrongfully included in the newly launched Register of Controlled Persons, leading to blocked bank accounts, detentions at the border, and job dismissals, according to human rights activist Valentina Chupik. During the first two days of the registry's operation, 31 people sought Chupik's assistance: 13 were citizens of Kyrgyzstan, eight from Tajikistan, seven from Uzbekistan, and one each from Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Turkmenistan. Among them were three holders of Russian residence permits and one with a temporary residence permit. All claim they were added to the list without justification. The majority...

Bilateral Relations

Slovakia Opens Job Opportunities for Kyrgyz Bus Drivers

The Center for Employment of Citizens Abroad, operating under the Ministry of Labor, Social Security, and Migration of Kyrgyzstan, has begun registering candidates for bus driver positions in Slovakia. The Center has signed an agreement with INDEX NOSLUS s.r.o., a Slovak company specializing in human resources management and international recruitment. “This agreement aims to strengthen bilateral ties in labor migration and create reliable conditions for Kyrgyz citizens working in Slovakia,” the Employment Center stated. Kyrgyz authorities believe the partnership will significantly increase the number of legal employment opportunities for Kyrgyz workers while ensuring transparent hiring conditions and social security protections....

Life & Culture

Air Pollution

Kyrgyz Engineer Develops Unique Air Purification Filter

Amid rising air pollution in Kyrgyzstan, hydraulic engineer Amantur Salymbayev has developed an innovative smoke filter that operates without electricity or water, relying solely on aerodynamic principles. The device is currently undergoing patent registration with Kyrgyzpatent. According to the Department of Environmental Monitoring, research has confirmed that the filter captures 98% of harmful pollutants, including soot and carbon dioxide (CO₂). A key feature of the Salymbayev filter is its complete autonomy - it requires no connection to power or water supplies. This makes it particularly effective in reducing harmful emissions and improving air quality in highly polluted areas. So far,...

Photography

Grounding the Stars: Andrew McConnell’s Lens on Space and the Steppe

Migration

Russia May Impose Stricter Rules on Central Asian Migrants

Sports

Uzbek Chess Player Apologizes to Indian Opponent After Handshake Stir

Art and Culture

Museum Showcasing Traditional Rishtan Ceramics to Be Established in Uzbekistan

Tourism

Visits of Chinese Tourists to Kazakhstan Surged in 2024

In 2024, 655,000 Chinese tourists visited Kazakhstan, representing a 78% increase compared to the previous year, Nurtas Karipbayev, chairman of the Tourism Industry Committee at the Ministry of Tourism and Sports of Kazakhstan, announced at a press conference on February 6. The surge in visitors comes as Kazakhstan declared 2024 the "Year of Kazakhstan Tourism in China", an initiative aimed at strengthening cultural and economic ties between the two countries. The program promoted Kazakhstan as a travel destination and facilitated collaborations between tourism industry stakeholders from both nations. As part of the initiative, leading Chinese media and social networks -...

Art and Culture

Kazakh Singer Dimash Kudaibergen Climbs U.S. Charts with “Smoke”

Kazakhstani singer Dimash Kudaibergen has achieved significant success on the U.S. charts with his song Smoke, ranking highly on both Amazon and iTunes. Throughout January 2025, international media outlets, including publications in Argentina, the United Kingdom, and the United States, featured stories on the singer. Reports highlighted his exceptional vocal range, creative independence, and dedication to Kazakh national culture - qualities that have earned him a global fan base. “Dimash Kudaibergen is rapidly becoming one of Asia's best-known artists, captivating audiences worldwide with his unique fusion of neo-classical, pop, Kazakh folk, and contemporary trends. His independence allows him to experiment...

Education

International University of Turkic States Established in Tashkent

Uzbekistan is to establish the International University of Turkic States in Tashkent. The university aims to strengthen political, economic, cultural, and humanitarian ties among Turkic states. The institution will offer specialized training in engineering, construction, logistics, information technology, healthcare, agriculture, and the food industry, as well as economic and social sciences. Educational programs will be developed in collaboration with leading universities in Turkey, ensuring international academic standards. The university is a non-governmental higher education institution, jointly founded by the Councils of Higher Education of Uzbekistan and Turkey. Starting in the 2025/2026 academic year, its curricula will be based on those...

Art and Culture

Japanese Musician Mashu Komazaki Named “Ambassador of Uzbek Culture”

Japanese singer and musician Mashu Komazaki has been awarded the title of “Ambassador of Uzbek Culture,” becoming the first Japanese citizen to receive this distinction, Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Culture has announced. As an Ambassador of Uzbek Culture, Komazaki will work to promote Uzbekistan’s traditional music and arts in Japan. The Ministry of Culture has pledged full support for her activities, providing national costumes, musical instruments, and other cultural materials. Komazaki has a close connection to Uzbek music, having previously volunteered as a music teacher in Bukhara. She plays the dutor, a traditional Uzbek stringed instrument, and has performed at major...

Justice

Media Freedom

Sentencing of Journalist Rukhshona Khakimova Draws Outrage in Tajikistan

Tajikistan’s Supreme Court has convicted journalist Rukhshona Khakimova of high treason and sentenced her to eight years in prison. Her lawyer criticized the ruling, noting that the court failed to take into account her status as a mother. Meanwhile, Tajikistan’s journalistic community has condemned the sentence as "excessively harsh" and "shocking." Khakimova’s relatives plan to appeal the verdict. The court’s decision was announced on February 5 during a closed hearing held at the Dushanbe detention center, alongside other verdicts in the “coup d’état case." Khakimova is the niece of Shokirjon Khakimov, the first deputy chairman of the Social Democratic Party...

AZAL Plane Crash

In Azerbaijan, Anger Toward Russia Simmers After Plane Crash Report

Justice

Uzbek National Arrested in Florida Voter Fraud Case

Rule of law

Kazakhstan Proposes Polygraph Testing for Law Enforcement Officials

Criminal Responsibility

U.S. Weapons Smuggled into Russia via Kyrgyzstan, Authorities State

Crime

Kazakhstan Targets Bride Kidnapping

Kazakhstani parliamentarian Murat Abenov has proposed introducing a specific article in the Criminal Code to criminalize bride theft, suggesting prison terms of up to ten years. While some lawmakers support his initiative, others believe existing laws are sufficient to address such crimes. Proposal to Address Bride Theft According to Abenov, three crimes against women have been recorded this year under Article 125 of the Criminal Code, which covers “Kidnapping.” However, Abenov believes the actual number of such cases is significantly higher. For instance, over the past three years, 214 women filed complaints related to bride theft, but only ten cases...

Justice

Tajikistan Sentences Defendants in Alleged Coup Attempt Case

Tajikistan's Supreme Court handed down sentences on February 5 in a high-profile coup attempt case, convicting former high-ranking officials, politicians, and journalists. Among those sentenced are a former foreign minister, a former chairman of the Supreme Soviet, and retired security officials. Sentences and Key Defendants Former Tajik Foreign Minister Hamrokhon Zarifi received a 27-year prison sentence. Shokirjon Khakimov, the first deputy leader of the Social Democratic Party of Tajikistan, and Ahmadshokh Komilzoda, former deputy chairman of the Democratic Party, were each sentenced to 18 years. Journalist Rukhshona Khakimova, the niece of Khakimov, was sentenced to eight years on charges of...

AZAL Plane Crash

“Mayday! Mayday!” Kazakhstan Releases Report on AZAL Plane Crash

A preliminary report on the Dec. 25 crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines passenger plane in Kazakhstan contains details that could be consistent with widespread assertions that the aircraft was damaged by ground fire during an earlier attempt to land as planned in Russia. But the report, released on Tuesday by Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Transport, leaves many questions unanswered about the crash that killed 38 out of the 67 people on board the plane and sharpened tensions between Azerbaijan and Russia. [caption id="attachment_28337" align="aligncenter" width="923"] Image: Department for Investigation of Accidents and Incidents in Transport preliminary report[/caption] An investigation is ongoing...

Justice

Riot in Tajik Prison Leaves Several Inmates Dead

On February 3, a riot broke out in Tajikistan's Vahdat Penitentiary No. 3/2, 15 miles from Dushanbe, resulting in the deaths of several prisoners. According to Tajikistan’s Ministry of Justice, the incident occurred when nine inmates - convicted over links to Islamic State and the Jihadi Salafi movement - launched an armed attack on prison staff using improvised weapons. “As a result of the attack, three guards were seriously injured,” the ministry’s statement said. The prisoners, armed with makeshift knives, refused to comply with prison authorities and attempted to kill security personnel in an escape attempt. According to the authorities,...

Environment

Aral Sea

Hope for the Northern Aral Sea as Restoration Efforts Continue

Between October 2024 and January 2025, one billion cubic meters of water will be directed to the Northern Aral Sea - 100 million cubic meters more than initially planned. Agreements with Central Asian countries will further increase this figure to 1.6 billion cubic meters by March. According to Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, the current water volume in the Northern Aral Sea stands at 22.1 billion cubic meters, up from 18.9 billion cubic meters at the beginning of 2022. By the end of 2025, this volume is projected to reach 23.4 billion cubic meters. The reservoir’s surface area...

Ecology

Turning the Tide and Tackling Pollution in Uzbekistan: Insights from the Head of Environmental Policy

Ecology

Bishkek Tests Chinese Catalytic Converters in Effort to Reduce Air Pollution

Air Pollution

Bishkek Residents Can Now Monitor Air Quality in Real Time

Solar Energy

Kyrgyzstan Begins Construction of a New Solar Power Plant

Agriculture

Kyrgyzstan Aims to Develop Organic Agriculture

As Kyrgyzstan seeks to expand the production and export of environmentally friendly organic agricultural products, the country’s Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture, and Processing Industry has drafted a Program for the Development of Organic Production in the Kyrgyz Republic for 2025-2029. The document has been submitted for public discussion. The program aims to create favorable legal, economic, and social conditions for organic producers through state support. Kyrgyzstan has natural advantages for developing organic agriculture, including a clean ecosystem, ecologically unpolluted soils and water in mountainous and foothill regions, traditional farming methods with minimal agrochemical use, rich biodiversity, and strong export...

Environment

Kyrgyz Authorities Aim to Improve Air Quality in Bishkek

Kyrgyzstan’s Minister of Natural Resources, Ecology, and Technical Supervision, Meder Mashiev, has outlined plans to tackle air pollution in Bishkek. Speaking at a meeting with representatives of an interdepartmental commission tasked with addressing environmental issues, Mashiev announced that the government is prepared to issue interest-free loans for environmental projects, with a particular focus on improving air quality in the capital. Bishkek ranks among the worst cities globally for air pollution, placing fifth from the bottom in terms of air quality. According to some reports, funding for these projects will come from the World Bank. Similar loan programs are expected to...

Green economy

Uzbekistan Aims for 50% Green Energy by 2030 in Major Power Expansion

On January 28, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev held a meeting to outline Uzbekistan’s power sector development strategy for 2025-2035. In the past eight years, electricity production has increased by 38%, reaching 81.5 billion kilowatt-hours. Private sector participation has grown significantly, adding 11.2 gigawatts of new capacity. As a result, private power generation now accounts for 24% of the total, while renewable energy contributes 16%. Rising Demand and Infrastructure Expansion Household electricity consumption has doubled since 2016, surpassing 21 billion kilowatt-hours, driven by rising incomes and greater use of home appliances. By 2030, Uzbekistan’s population is expected to reach 41 million, and...

Aral Sea

Kazakhstan Continues Afforestation Efforts on the Aral Sea

Kazakhstan is pressing ahead with a large-scale afforestation project aimed at restoring the ecosystem on the dried bed of the Aral Sea. The initiative brings together KATCO - a joint venture between the French state-owned company Orano and Kazakhstan’s national atomic company Kazatomprom - and other state and private entities to create artificial forests, combat land degradation, and improve environmental conditions in the Aral region. The Decline of the Aral Sea Once the world’s fourth-largest inland body of water, the Aral Sea spanned 68,000 square kilometers, straddling Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. However, starting in the 1960s, extensive water diversion from its...

Half a World Away: Central Asian Workers on British Farms

Latest

Features

Features

Sunkar Podcast

Latest

Sunkar Podcast

Opinions

Opinions

Stephen M. Bland

Olzhas Baidildinov

Aidar Borangaziyev

Dr. Robert M. Cutler

Dr. Robert M. Cutler

Dr. Robert M. Cutler

Dr. Robert M. Cutler

Nikola Mikovic

Nikola Mikovic

Aidar Borangaziyev

Nikola Mikovic

Dr. Elkhan Nuriyev

Business & Economy

Business & Economy

Kazakhstan to Build Fiber-Optic Highway for Internet Traffic

Uzbekistan Sets Digital Performance Targets for Ministers and Khokims

British Company to Produce Flexible Concrete Material in Kyrgyzstan

Powering the Green and Economic Revolution: An Interview With Andi Aranitasi, Head of the EBRD in Uzbekistan

Kazakhstan to Provide Tourists with QR-Code Security Cards

Local Politics

Local Politics

The Twilight of Starlink in Kazakhstan?

Kazakhstan Moves to Strengthen Penalties for Inciting Ethnic Hatred

Citing Restrictions, OSCE Withdraws Observer Mission Ahead of Tajikistan’s Elections

Turkmen Civil Servants Could Lose Jobs for Misusing Newspapers with Pictures of Berdimuhamedovs

Kyrgyz-Tajik Villages to Be Relocated as Part of Border Resolution

International Affairs

International Affairs

Elon Musk Calls for Closure of RFE/RL and VOA: What Would It Mean for Central Asia?

Uzbekistan to Send 7,000 Workers to Russia Under New Agreements

Half a World Away: Central Asian Workers on British Farms

Are Registry Errors Behind Migrants’ Bank Account Freezes in Russia?

Slovakia Opens Job Opportunities for Kyrgyz Bus Drivers

Life & Culture

Life & Culture

Kyrgyz Engineer Develops Unique Air Purification Filter

Visits of Chinese Tourists to Kazakhstan Surged in 2024

Kazakh Singer Dimash Kudaibergen Climbs U.S. Charts with “Smoke”

International University of Turkic States Established in Tashkent

Japanese Musician Mashu Komazaki Named “Ambassador of Uzbek Culture”

Justice

Justice

Sentencing of Journalist Rukhshona Khakimova Draws Outrage in Tajikistan