Uzbekistan at the 2025 Venice Biennale: Ekaterina Golovatyuk on the Modernist Legacy of a Soviet-Era Solar Furnace
Is it possible to preserve architectural heritage while working towards sustainability? And what to make of the architectural relics of the past century? Can they somehow take on new meaning rather than remaining a representation of dystopias and utopias of the past? All these questions and more are addressed by...
How Nauryz Was Celebrated in Kazakhstan: Traditions and Festivities in Astana, Almaty, and Taraz
Nauryz, one of Kazakhstan’s most cherished holidays, marks the arrival of spring and the renewal of nature. This year, cities across the country held vibrant celebrations, blending national traditions with festive performances and heartfelt hospitality. Astana: Festivities at the EXPO Site In Kazakhstan’s capital, the main Nauryz celebrations took place...
Climate Change – A Catalyst for Poverty and Environmental Degradation in Central Asia
Climate change encapsulates the gradual yet profound shifts in temperature and weather patterns over extended periods. While these changes can arise naturally from various phenomena — such as fluctuations in solar energy or significant volcanic eruptions — the advent of the industrial age in the 1800s marked a pivotal point...
Opinion: In Central Asia, the EU Defies Its “Geopolitical Dwarf” Label
As the United States and Russia reportedly aim to create a new global security architecture, other major actors in the international arena are working to improve their positions in the redefined world order. Often underestimated in terms of its geopolitical influence, the European Union has actively focused its attention on...
Tajik Entrepreneurs Return to Kyrgyz Markets
Following the reopening of the Kyrgyz-Tajik border, Tajik entrepreneurs have resumed visits to markets in Batken Oblast, Kyrgyzstan. Local media report that residents are welcoming the return of their southern neighbors. Once a week, the market in Ak-Turpak village becomes a hub of activity, drawing sellers and buyers from across...
Uzbekistan’s New Emphasis on the Military
Uzbekistan has become Central Asia’s leader in terms of military spending. This raises some questions about why Uzbekistan has boosted its military spending, but it should also get the attention of Uzbekistan’s Central Asian neighbors. According to Global Firepower’s 2025 Military Strength ranking, Uzbekistan’s defense budget was a little more...
Power Shifts in Central Asia: The Unpredictable Path of Leadership
European Union Commissioner for International Partnerships Josef Sikela has concluded his tour of Central Asia, a visit conducted against the backdrop of global geopolitical turbulence. Unlike previous engagements, where European officials often criticized the region’s leadership for a lack of democratic progress, Sikela refrained from making demands on local governments....
A New Chapter of Peace and Cooperation in Central Asia: The Kyrgyz-Tajik Border Agreement
On March 13, 2025, a historic milestone was achieved with the signing of the Kyrgyz-Tajik border agreement. This long-anticipated treaty, signed by Kyrgyzstan's President Sadyr Japarov and Tajikistan’s President Emomali Rahmon, resolved a long-running dispute over the 984-kilometer boundary between the two nations. Clashes in 2021 and 2022 left scores...
Sunkar Podcast
Repatriating Islamic State Fighters and Families: Balancing Security and Humanity
