The Times Of Central Asia | Eurasian Publication & News Online

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...

Media Freedom

Sentencing of Journalist Rukhshona Khakimova Draws Outrage in Tajikistan

Crime

Kazakhstan Targets Bride Kidnapping

AZAL Plane Crash

In Azerbaijan, Anger Toward Russia Simmers After Plane Crash Report

Commentators in Azerbaijan have reacted to a preliminary report on the Dec. 25 crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines plane with another round of scathing criticism of Russia, which Azerbaijan accuses of accidentally firing on the aircraft from the ground. The report that was released on Tuesday by Kazakhstan, where the...

Bilateral Relations

Kyrgyzstan Raises First Sovereign Bond to Mitigate China’s Growing Influence

Economy

Trump’s Trade Wars and Kazakhstan’s Economic Jitters

AZAL Plane Crash

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

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

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

Digital Service

Kazakhstan to Provide Tourists with QR-Code Security Cards

Economy

Kyrgyzstan Economy at Risk of Stagnation, Warns World Bank

Economic Cooperation

Kazakhstan’s Parliament Approves Regulations for the Central Asia International Industrial Cooperation Center with Uzbekistan

Agriculture

Kyrgyzstan to Export Agricultural Products to China

On February 6, in Beijing, Kyrgyzstan’s Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Minister of Water Resources, Agriculture, and Processing Industry, Bakyt Torobayev, and China’s Head of the General Administration of Customs, Sun Meijun, signed protocols allowing the export of Kyrgyz agricultural products to China. The approved goods include beans, wool, cashmere, poultry meat, and offal. Torobayev emphasized that these agreements represent an important step forward in strengthening trade and economic ties between Kyrgyzstan and China. According to the Kyrgyz Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture, and Processing Industry, trade turnover between the two countries nearly tripled from 2019 to...

State Budget

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

Kazakhstan is exploring ways to optimize its state budget, drawing inspiration from recent U.S. reforms. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy Serik Zhumangarin revealed that Elon Musk, head of the newly established U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has offered assistance in implementing similar measures in Kazakhstan. According to Zhumangarin, Musk proposed helping the government identify potential cost-cutting areas, though he acknowledged that reducing social expenditures would be challenging. He welcomed Musk’s input, suggesting the formation of a working group to assess possible savings while ensuring that cuts do not negatively impact ordinary citizens. The discussion on budget...

Water Management

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

Uzbekistan has agreed to supply 16 billion cubic meters of water to Kazakhstan by October 1, 2025, according to Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation. This agreement was reached during the 12th meeting of the Joint Working Group on Bilateral Water Cooperation, attended by Kazakhstan’s Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, Nurzhan Nurzhigitov, and Uzbekistan’s Minister of Water Resources, Shavkat Khamrayev. In the previous water-sharing period (October 2023 - October 2024), Kazakhstan received 15 billion cubic meters of water. This year, the allocation will increase by 1 billion cubic meters. Uzbekistan has also pledged to ensure a stable water...

Economic Cooperation

Uzbekistan to Import Afghan Coal in $4.5 Million Trade Deal

Uzbekistan has agreed to import coal from Afghanistan as part of efforts to balance bilateral trade, Tasnim News Agency reported. During a meeting in Kabul, an Uzbek delegation expressed its readiness to purchase Afghan coal, resulting in the signing of trade agreements worth $4.5 million between private companies from both countries. The discussions also covered trade privileges, plans to construct a cement plant in Afghanistan’s Samangan region, and the organization of joint exhibitions. In May 2024, Uzbekistan’s Transport Minister, Ilhom Mahkamov, led a delegation to Afghanistan, where he met with Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi. During the talks, both sides...

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

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 back its operations, the question arises: Who will step in to fill the gap? USAID’s Departure: A Near Total Withdrawal While USAID is reducing its presence, it is not shutting down entirely. The Trump administration has announced plans to retain a mere 294 of the agency’s more than 10,000 employees...

Justice

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

Tourism

Kyrgyzstan Facilitates Group Travel Tourism from China

Bilateral Relations

Japarov Highlights China as Key Trade and Investment Partner for Kyrgyzstan

Trade

Uzbekistan and Afghanistan Sign $4.5M Trade Deal as Economic Ties Grow

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....

Bilateral Relations

Kyrgyzstan Raises First Sovereign Bond to Mitigate China’s Growing Influence

On February 4, Kyrgyz president Sadyr Japarov embarked on a four-day state visit to China, visiting Beijing and the northern city of Harbin for the opening ceremony of the 2025 Asian Winter Games. The visit comes against a backdrop of increasing engagement between Bishkek and Beijing. Temur Umarov, a fellow at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, says that certain groups within the government are worried about an overreliance on China. “This is the problem of the current political leadership,” Umarov says. “They want to do more with China … they want to have more investment from China, but they have...

Economy

Trump’s Trade Wars and Kazakhstan’s Economic Jitters

U.S. President Donald Trump is addressing his country's economic challenges with aggressive trade policies, threatening tariff barriers and demanding concessions from major economies. The Times of Central Asia explores whether these actions could deepen economic challenges in Kazakhstan and the broader Central Asian region. A New Round of Trade Wars In early February, the United States officially announced a 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico, alongside a reduced 10% tariff on Canadian energy resources. Additionally, a 10% tariff was imposed on all Chinese imports. The justification given was to curb illegal immigration and drug trafficking. While Mexico and...

Life & Culture

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”

Education

International University of Turkic States Established in Tashkent

Art and Culture

Japanese Musician Mashu Komazaki Named “Ambassador of Uzbek Culture”

Sports

Kazakhstan to Reconstruct Medeu, the World’s Largest High-Altitude Skating Rink

Photography

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

Award-winning photographer and filmmaker Andrew McConnell has dedicated his career to illuminating the world’s overlooked regions and underreported stories. He has a distinctive ability to examine major global issues and events from fresh, often unexpected perspectives. Ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances are the focus of McConnell’s lens. From conflict zones in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the hidden lives of the Sahrawi people in Western Sahara, his work frequently highlights human endurance in challenging environments. His new book, Some Worlds Have Two Suns, takes a different direction. It explores the vast, remote Kazakh Steppe, where the sparse local...

Migration

Russia May Impose Stricter Rules on Central Asian Migrants

New immigration regulations in Russia could affect millions of Central Asian migrants. A proposed bill from the Russian Ministry of Education would require migrant children to pass a Russian language test. Those who fail would be required to enroll in a three-month language program, funded by their parents. If a child does not attend the required language classes, regional authorities will investigate the family’s living conditions and report the case to the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Parents who fail to ensure their child meets the language requirements could face administrative penalties. As of September 1, 2024, nearly four million Central...

Sports

Uzbek Chess Player Apologizes to Indian Opponent After Handshake Stir

A chess grandmaster from Uzbekistan who declined to shake hands with his Indian female opponent ahead of their game and later cited “religious reasons” has kicked up debate and criticism of his conduct on Indian social networks and media. Nodirbek Yakubboev, a Muslim, later tried to atone for what had looked like a snub by giving flowers to grandmaster Vaishali Rameshbabu in a filmed street encounter on Jan. 30 after she had beaten him days earlier at the 2025 Tata Steel Chess Masters, in Wijk aan Zee, Netherlands. “I’m sorry,” Yakubboev, 23, said in the video posted by ChessBase India....

Art and Culture

Museum Showcasing Traditional Rishtan Ceramics to Be Established in Uzbekistan

A museum dedicated to the history of traditional ceramics will be established in the Uzbek town of Rishtan. The institution, organized as a non-governmental entity, aims to serve as a center for preserving and promoting the region’s unique pottery heritage. The museum’s key objectives include collecting and preserving exhibits, conducting cultural and educational programs, and training young artisans in pottery through the traditional mentoring system. Additionally, it will foster international cooperation by collaborating with foreign museums to organize exhibitions and exchange expertise. To implement the project, a working group has been formed to develop the museum’s concept and oversee its...

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

Ecology

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

In recent years, air pollution in Uzbekistan has become an issue of growing concern, while the drying up of the Aral Sea continues to draw global attention. The Times of Central Asia spoke with Farruh Sattarov, Head of the Environmental Policy Department at the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan, about the country’s environmental challenges and the ministry’s efforts to raise public awareness. TCA: Can you briefly describe the main projects currently being implemented by the Ministry of Ecology? Sattarov: To improve the environmental situation, we are working on several major projects. One...

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

Air Pollution

Kyrgyzstan’s Capital Grapples with Smog: Minister Outlines Pollution Sources and Plans for Cleaner Air

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...

Environment

Uzbekistan Launches Two New Environmental Projects

Uzbekistan has initiated two major international projects aimed at environmental protection and advancing the green economy. The projects, spearheaded by the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change in partnership with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), are funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) with a total budget of $6.5 million. Both initiatives are set to run through 2030. Project 1: Updating the National Biodiversity Strategy The first initiative, titled the “Comprehensive Programme to Support the Renewal of the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) and the Seventh National Report,” is part of a global effort involving...

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

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

British Company to Produce Flexible Concrete Material in Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan to Export Agricultural Products to China

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

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

Uzbekistan to Import Afghan Coal in $4.5 Million Trade Deal

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

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

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

Slovakia Opens Job Opportunities for Kyrgyz Bus Drivers

Kyrgyzstan Raises First Sovereign Bond to Mitigate China’s Growing Influence

Trump’s Trade Wars and Kazakhstan’s Economic Jitters

Life & Culture

Life & Culture

Visits of Chinese Tourists to Kazakhstan Surged in 2024

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

Russia May Impose Stricter Rules on Central Asian Migrants

Uzbek Chess Player Apologizes to Indian Opponent After Handshake Stir

Museum Showcasing Traditional Rishtan Ceramics to Be Established in Uzbekistan

Justice

Justice

Sentencing of Journalist Rukhshona Khakimova Draws Outrage in Tajikistan