War in Ukraine: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan Tell Citizens to Step Up Safety
Some Central Asian countries are urging their nationals to consider leaving Ukraine as the war with Russian forces escalates there. “Due to the increased frequency of artillery shelling and airstrikes in Ukraine, the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Ukraine strongly advises its citizens to consider leaving areas close...
Kyrgyzstan’s Largest Hydropower Plant Boosts Generating Capacity
On November 19, Kyrgyzstan launched the modernized hydroelectric generating unit No. 1 at the Toktogul Hydroelectric Power Plant (HPP), the country’s largest power facility. Located on the Naryn River, the Toktogul HPP generates approximately 40% of Kyrgyzstan’s electricity. The modernization of hydroelectric unit No. 1 began in March 2024 and...
Kazakhstan Abandons Universal Income Declaration Plan
Kazakhstan Scraps Universal Tax Declarations Amid Public Concerns In a surprising move, the Kazakh government has proposed canceling the universal tax declaration system set to take effect in 2025. The decision, aimed at alleviating public anxiety amid worsening economic conditions, will exempt over 90% of the population from filing declarations....
Kazakhstan and Serbia Strengthen Ties Despite Different Geopolitical Paths
Serbian President Vucic (54) might physically resemble Kazakh leader Kassym-Jomart Tokayev (71), but the geopolitical positions of Sebia and Kazakhstan could not be more different. While the Balkan nation – a European Union candidate since 2012 – remains in the EU’s “eternal waiting room”, the Central Asian country – a...
Caspian Sea Water Decline Requires Urgent Action, Says UNEP Chief
By the end of this century, the water levels of the Caspian Sea could drop by up to 18 meters, a decline that would devastate ecosystems and species, threaten livelihoods, and jeopardize food security and regional stability. Inger Andersen, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Director of the United...
Tajik MMA Fighter Chorshanbiev, Imprisoned For Criticizing Authorities, Faces New Charges
In Tajikistan, the well known MMA fighter and prominent blogger Chorshanbe Chorshanbiev, already serving an 8.5-year prison sentence, has been handed an additional four years on new charges. Journalist Anora Sarkorova reported the development on November 18, which was later confirmed by sources at Radio Ozodi. Chorshanbiev, known for criticizing...
Out With the Old and in With the New: From Politicians to Felons – Part Two
The end of the first president of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev’s era coincided with a wave of mass protests across the country. The widely-accepted cause was the death of five children in a fire in a dilapidated annex to a private house, the like of which there are many in the...
Mirziyoyev Tells Uzbekistan’s Parliament That He Wants a Stronger Opposition
Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev said on Monday that the parliament should be more dynamic about solving society’s problems, and that the “opposition” should have more rights in the assembly. His comments were in line with the government’s reform push, but also reflected Mirziyoyev's tight political control over Uzbekistan, because none...
Sunkar Podcast
Kazakhstan’s Return to Nuclear Power
