The Times Of Central Asia | Eurasian Publication & News Online

Spring in Astana traditionally begins with one of the country’s most beloved holidays, Nauryz. In 2026, citywide celebrations once again brought together thousands of residents and visitors to open-air venues, where ancient traditions, national games, crafts, and family activities combined to create a vibrant festive atmosphere. In recent years, Nauryz...

Power Struggle

Kyrgyzstan Braces for Showdown Between President Japarov and Former Security Chief Tashiyev

EAEU

New Russian Trade Controls Add Friction to Central Asian Trade

Russia is tightening trade procedures in ways that could reshape how goods move across Central Asia. The changes are technical, but their impact could be significant. The clearest sign is Russia’s new SPOT import-control system, which takes effect for road shipments from Eurasian Economic Union countries on April 1. Under...

Podcast

Pannier and Hillard’s Spotlight on Central Asia: New Episode Out Now

Caspian Region

War Reaches the Caspian: Central Asia Faces Growing Regional Risk

The United States and Israel's war with Iran began on February 28, 2026. The intensity of the conflict has fluctuated, but daily reports of missile strikes and explosions are increasingly resonating across Central Asia. Meanwhile, Russia’s latest war against Ukraine has continued for 1,466 days since it began on February...

Kazakhstan Constitution

Kazakhstan’s Constitutional Reform and the Logic of Modernization

Referendums, Rockets, and the Rogun Dam

00:00 / 00:00

Sunkar Podcast

Central Asia and the Troubled Southern Route

00:00 / 00:00

Opinions

Opinion: Islamic State Khorasan Province and the Strategic Risks for Central Asia

Aidar Borangaziyev

Opinion: Mirziyoyev in Washington – New Deals Expected Amidst Peace Diplomacy

Javier M. Piedra

Opinion – The “Board of Peace” and Afghan Diplomacy: A View from Kabul

Dr. Bismillah Mangal

Opinion: Kazakhstan’s Constitutional Referendum – Strategic Reset or Institutional Consolidation?

Raza Syed

Opinion: Afghanistan and Central Asia – Security Without Illusions

Aidar Borangaziyev

Opinion: The New Silk Road to the Sea – Connecting Central Asia to Karachi and Gwadar

Mian Nasser Hyatt Maggo & Engineer Arshad H. Abbasi

Breaking into Project Vault: A U.S. Role for Central Asia’s Strategic Minerals

Dr. Eric Rudenshiold

Opinion: Tokayev’s National Kurultai Address: A Moral Message, Not a Political One

Javier M. Piedra

Opinion: Central Asia–Japan Summit Signals Shift in Eurasian Geoeconomics — and Russia’s Waning Role

Anvar Nazirov

Opinion: Iranian Unrest Creates Opening for U.S., Partners in Central Asia

Nilaya Magidish

Opinion: Prospects for Central Asia’s Access to Persian Gulf Infrastructure

Timur Serikuly

Opinion: Is Uzbekistan Importing a Future Crisis?

William Cui

Business & Economy

Coal Industry

Kazakhstan to Invest Over $15.5 Billion in Coal-Fired Power Generation

Kazakhstan is launching a large-scale investment programme in the energy sector. By 2030, the country plans to attract at least $15.5 billion for the development of coal-fired power generation. The corresponding national project has been approved by the government. According to government estimates, electricity demand in Kazakhstan will grow at an accelerated pace, partly due to the expansion of the IT sector, data centers, and AI. Under these conditions, the authorities are prioritising baseload generation, which renewable energy sources are not yet able to fully provide. The national project provides for the commissioning and modernisation of 7.8 GW of capacity....

Alatau

Alatau: Inside Kazakhstan’s $20 Billion “City of the Future”

Investment

Tajikistan’s Reliance on External Funding for State Investment Projects Is Growing

EAEU

New Russian Trade Controls Add Friction to Central Asian Trade

Critical Minerals

How Kazakhstan Is Seeking to Attract Global Capital to Critical Mineral Extraction

Economy

Kyrgyz Citizens Are Spending More and Saving Less

The financial habits of Kyrgyz citizens has changed significantly in recent years: people are spending more and saving less. This conclusion was reached by the country's National Statistical Committee. According to the agency, the share of household savings has more than halved, from 24.3% of income in 2020 to 10.8% in 2024. Until 2021, however, Kyrgyz citizens had shown a tendency to save. This contributed to the growth of banks’ deposit bases, and the authorities noted increasing confidence in the financial sector. Formally, this confidence remains, but household behavior has changed. In 2024, the country’s gross disposable income amounted to...

Bilateral Trade

Kazakhstan’s Trade with China Is Growing, but the Deficit Is Widening

Kazakhstan’s trade and economic ties with China continue to deepen, yet the expansion in bilateral trade is accompanied by a widening imbalance. By the end of 2025, China had consolidated its position as one of the country’s key trading partners, accounting for nearly a quarter of total foreign trade turnover. According to data from the analytical centre of the Association of Financiers of Kazakhstan (AFK), bilateral trade reached $34.1 billion, an increase of 13.2% compared with the previous year. China’s share in Kazakhstan’s foreign trade rose to 23.7% from 21.2% a year earlier. Growth in trade was driven primarily by...

TCA Interviews

How the Container Hub in Aktau Is Changing the Game on the Trans-Caspian Route

The Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR) is experiencing rapid growth. Against the backdrop of geopolitical shifts and the restructuring of global supply chains, it is increasingly seen as a reliable alternative to traditional maritime routes. The next major step in its development will be the launch in 2026 of Kazakhstan’s first container hub in the port city of Aktau. The project is expected to accelerate cargo handling, create a full container infrastructure, and strengthen the competitiveness of the route as a whole. But will it be enough to elevate the corridor to the level of the world’s key transport routes?...

gas chemicals

Uzbekistan Explores Gas-Chemical Cooperation with South Africa’s Sasol

Uzbekistan is considering involving South Africa’s Sasol Limited in the development of its gas-chemical sector following talks held in Tashkent on March 15, according to the Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade. The meeting brought together Uzbekistan’s Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade, Laziz Kudratov, and Sasol Executive Vice President Dr. Sarushen Pillay. Discussions focused on expanding cooperation in gas-chemical and coal-chemical industries, with both sides expressing interest in joint projects based on the deep processing of natural gas and coal. According to the ministry, particular attention was given to Sasol’s potential participation in a coal-to-olefins (CTO) project aimed at...

Local Politics

Power Struggle

Kyrgyzstan Braces for Showdown Between President Japarov and Former Security Chief Tashiyev

When Kyrgyzstan’s President Sadyr Japarov suddenly dismissed his long-time friend Kamchybek Tashiyev as head of the country’s State Committee for National Security (GKNB) on February 10, he cryptically said it was “in the interests of our state, in order to prevent a split in society.” Less than two months later, that split could be coming, and there is a possibility the country is headed for a confrontation between the two men and their supporters. The Gathering Clouds Tashiyev returned to Kyrgyzstan on March 19 after being outside the country for more than a month amid a widening corruption investigation targeting...

Road Safety

Kazakhstan Senator Proposes Restoring State Oversight of Driving Schools

Kazakhstan's Constitutional Referendum

New Constitution Backed by Majority as Kazakhstan Reports Record Referendum Turnout

Constitution

Kazakhstan’s Constitutional Referendum Opens the Door to Major Institutional Reform

Deportation

Deportation Flight from U.S. Returns 65 Nationals to Uzbekistan

Kazakhstan Constitution

Kazakhstan’s Constitutional Reform and the Logic of Modernization

As The Times of Central Asia has noted throughout its special coverage, Kazakhstan’s new constitutional model is presented as modernization, not a rupture with the existing system. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has described the project as a response to a rapidly changing global landscape, arguing that the country’s basic law must be recalibrated to make governance more coherent, effective, accountable, and sustainable. That framing has included streamlining parliament, restoring the vice presidency, and redistributing authority across institutions as part of what Tokayev called a “complete reboot” of government, not a revolutionary break with existing institutions. Voters endorsed that vision in the...

Constitutional Reform

Kazakhstan Prepares for Its First-Ever Administrative Amnesty

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has announced plans to introduce Kazakhstan’s first-ever administrative amnesty. The statement was made during a ceremony marking the adoption of the country’s new Constitution. In the past, Kazakhstan has periodically granted amnesties to individuals convicted of criminal offenses, often timed to coincide with national anniversaries. The most recent such amnesty was carried out in 2025 to mark the 30th anniversary of the Constitution. The new initiative is linked to the adoption of the updated Constitution. On March 15, a nationwide referendum was held in which a majority of voters supported the new basic law. The document is...

Armed Forces

Turkmenistan’s Army Facing a Growing Exodus of Personnel

Turkmenistan’s Ministry of Defense is attempting to halt mass resignations among officers. Military personnel who have left their units without permission are being offered the opportunity to return to service on the condition that they are transferred to their home region. However, this measure has so far produced little effect and does not address the army’s core problems. Turkmenistan’s Minister of Defense, Begench Gundogdyyev, has sought to revise the government’s approach to the personnel crisis in the armed forces. At a meeting with unit commanders reviewing the results of the first two months of 2026, he addressed the issue of...

Kazakhstan Referendum

Kazakhstan Faces Landmark Constitutional Referendum

On March 15, citizens will vote in a nationwide referendum on sweeping constitutional amendments that could significantly reshape Kazakhstan’s political system. Kazakhstan’s Constitution has undergone periodic revision since independence, with changes adopted in 1998, 2007, 2011, 2017, 2019, and most recently in 2022, when 56 amendments to the basic law were approved in a national referendum. According to official statements, the proposed draft would affect about 84% of the Constitution, making it the most extensive revision in the country’s modern history. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has described the proposed document as “essentially a new Constitution.” At the same time, the draft...

International Affairs

Civil Aviation

Central Asia’s Airspace Is Growing in Value as the Iran Conflict Reshapes Routes

The war involving Iran has made Central Asia’s skies more important, but it has not made them a replacement for the Gulf. The change is narrower and more practical. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, the conflict has already reshaped Europe–Asia flight routes, with airlines forced to reroute around high-risk airspace. As EASA’s conflict-zone bulletin for Iran remains in force through March 31, and its broader Middle East and Persian Gulf bulletin advises operators to avoid a wide band of regional airspace, airlines flying between Europe and Asia now have fewer safe and efficient options than they...

Caspian Region

War Reaches the Caspian: Central Asia Faces Growing Regional Risk

G20 Summit

Trump Invites Tokayev to Miami G20 Summit

Iran Media Threats

Iran Warns of Military Action Over Iran International Broadcasts via Turkmenistan Satellite

Regional Security

Threats to Regional Security: Why Escalation Around Iran Matters for Central Asia

Peace Talks

Tokayev Proposes Turkestan as Venue for Middle East Peace Talks

Kazakhstan’s president, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, has called for immediate negotiations to resolve the conflict in the Middle East and proposed the city of Turkestan as a venue for talks. Tokayev made the remarks during a visit to the Turkestan region, warning that escalating conflicts worldwide, including the conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel, are harming global stability and trade conditions for countries not directly involved in the hostilities. He said the situation in the Middle East has reached a critical stage and that further escalation by Iran, the United States, or Israel would benefit none of the parties. “First...

Diplomatic Talks

Xi Jinping and Berdymuhamedov Sr. Discuss Expansion of China-Turkmenistan Partnership

Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov, Turkmenistan's former president and leader of its People's Council, during the latter’s official visit to China. The meeting took place on March 18 at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, according to a statement from China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Xi noted that China had recently completed its annual parliamentary meetings, commonly referred to as the “Two Sessions,” during which key socio-economic priorities were outlined. He said the country’s new development agenda would support modernization efforts and create additional opportunities for international cooperation. The Chinese president said that mutual political support...

Middle East Crisis

Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan Send Humanitarian Aid to Iran

Tajikistan is sending a convoy of 110 trucks carrying humanitarian aid to Iran, which has been targeted by heavy U.S. and Israeli air strikes in a war that started on February 28. The dispatch of aid follows similar deliveries by Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan. Central Asian countries are aiming for neutrality in the Mideast war, maintaining ties with the Iranian government even as they profess support for Gulf Arab states that have been targeted by Iranian drones and missiles. Iran’s relationships with countries to the east range from the close cultural affinity that it enjoys with Tajikistan to sometimes tense...

Energy Project

Italy’s Eni Expands Energy Projects in Kazakhstan with Hybrid Power Plant

The Italian energy company Eni is accelerating the expansion of its projects in Kazakhstan. By the end of the year, the company plans to complete construction of a hybrid power plant in Zhanaozen, one of the country’s key oil and gas centers. The 247-MW project combines three energy sources: solar, wind, and gas generation. The approach is expected to reduce the carbon footprint while providing a more stable energy supply in a region where strategically important production assets are concentrated Construction is proceeding in stages. The first component is already operational. In September 2025, a solar power plant with 80,000...

Life & Culture

TCA Interviews

Kazakhstani Cinema at a Turning Point: Screenwriter Sergey Litovchenko Discusses the Industry

Kazakhstani cinema may be entering a “golden age.” Kazakh films are increasingly appearing at international festivals, while television series are reaching major global streaming platforms and attracting millions of viewers. Yet the country has not broken through at the Oscars, and the reasons go beyond funding. Screenwriter and creative producer Sergey Litovchenko discusses the changes and challenges shaping the industry, why the pandemic unexpectedly benefited Kazakhstani cinema, and which projects he considers the most significant milestones to date. TCA: Sergey, the Oscars have just taken place. Will Kazakhstan ever win an Oscar? And when might that happen? Sergey: Our industry...

Nauryz

How Nauryz Was Celebrated in Astana: Traditions, Sports, and the Spirit of Spring

Internet

Over Half of People in Kyrgyzstan Use Russian Information Sources – New Survey

Baikonur

Russian Spacecraft Lifts Off from Repaired Launch Pad at Baikonur

Yerbol Khamitov

Kazakhstan Celebrates as Paralympic Champion Yerbol Khamitov Returns Home

Nauryz

How Kazakhstan’s Southern Cities Celebrated Nauryz

Across southern Kazakhstan, cities welcomed the arrival of spring with vibrant Nauryz celebrations that combined centuries-old traditions with modern cultural elements. Public squares, parks, and pedestrian areas were transformed into festive spaces filled with concerts, exhibitions, national games, and family activities. Almaty Kazakhstan's biggest city is one of the main venues for celebrating Nauryz. In 2026, the city marked the spring holiday on a particularly large scale, hosting more than 200 events across various locations. The main festivities unfolded in central squares, where concerts, exhibitions, craft fairs, and interactive cultural zones were organized. One distinctive feature of the celebrations was...

Transport

Prototype Driverless Taxi Unveiled in Astana

As part of the Nauryz celebrations in Astana, a demonstration run of a driverless vehicle developed at the Daulet Serikbayev East Kazakhstan Technical University (EKTU) was held. In the future, this prototype could become part of the city’s driverless taxi system. The presentation took the form of a public demonstration for residents and visitors to Kazakhstan’s capital. According to the Astana City Administration, the vehicle’s software and test route were developed by specialists from the Luban Workshop, which opened at EKTU in Ust-Kamenogorsk in late 2023 with support from China’s Tianjin Vocational Institute. The project is being implemented as part...

Podcast

Pannier and Hillard’s Spotlight on Central Asia: New Episode Out Now

As Managing Editor of The Times of Central Asia, I’m delighted that, in partnership with the Oxus Society for Central Asian Affairs, from October 19, we are the home of the Spotlight on Central Asia podcast. Chaired by seasoned broadcasters Bruce Pannier of RFE/RL’s long-running Majlis podcast and Michael Hillard of The Red Line, each fortnightly instalment will take you on a deep dive into the latest news, developments, security issues, and social trends across an increasingly pivotal region. This week, the team examine a series of major developments across Central Asia, from the results of Kazakhstan's constitutional referendum to...

Nauryz

The History of Nauryz: An Ancient Festival That Continues to Unite Central Asia

Ahead of the Nauryz holiday, The Times of Central Asia looks at the origins and enduring significance of one of the region’s oldest celebrations. More than a seasonal festival, Nauryz reflects a deep connection between people, nature, and cultural identity, a tradition that has evolved over thousands of years and remains central to life across Central Asia. Origins and Meaning Nauryz, also known as Nowruz, is one of the world’s oldest holidays, marking the arrival of spring and the beginning of a new year. It is celebrated on the day of the spring equinox, when day and night are approximately...

Justice

Crocus City Hall

Appeals Filed Against Life Sentences in Crocus City Hall Attack Case

Lawyers representing those convicted of carrying out the 2024 attack at Crocus City Hall have filed appeals against the court’s verdict, arguing that the sentences are excessively harsh, Russian state media reported. According to Russia’s state news agency TASS, defense attorneys have submitted initial appeals on behalf of the main perpetrators and several accomplices following a ruling by the 2nd Western District Military Court. Earlier, the Russian outlet RBC reported that the four gunmen who carried out the attack were sentenced to life imprisonment. The court ruled that they would serve extended initial terms in prison under the strictest conditions...

Police

Tajik Police to Patrol Dushanbe on Electric Scooters

FLEX Exchange Program

Uzbek FLEX Finalist Returns Home After Alleged Harassment by Host Father in Indiana

India

Delhi Police Arrest Man After Large Theft Targeting Uzbek Visitor

Legal System

Why Tajikistan’s Courts Rarely Hand Down Acquittals

Internet Regulation

Kazakhstan Plans to Introduce Social Media Monitoring

Kazakhstan plans to introduce a system for monitoring the information space in order to identify illegal online content. This was reported by the country’s Financial Monitoring Agency (FMA). The agency has drafted rules on monitoring the information space aimed at detecting unlawful content, including on the internet, and enabling subsequent measures to restrict access to it. The draft document has been published on the Open Regulatory Acts portal. According to the proposal, monitoring would cover information published in open sources, including websites, social networks, messaging platforms, mass media outlets, and other information and communication channels. The Financial Monitoring Agency would...

Justice

Mirziyoyev: Violence Against Women and Children Will Not Be Tolerated in Uzbekistan

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has announced tougher measures against violence toward women and children, and unveiled new economic and education programs aimed at expanding opportunities for women across Uzbekistan. Speaking on March 6 at a ceremony in Tashkent marking International Women’s Day, the president referred to a decree he signed on March 3 that strengthens the country’s response to domestic violence. According to remarks reported by Uzbek media and the presidential press service, the decree introduces a stricter system for addressing harassment and violence against women and minors. Mirziyoyev said Uzbekistan has adopted the creation of an uncompromising environment against violence...

Extradition

Kazakhstan Suspends Extradition of Navalny Associate as Courts Weigh Asylum Claim

Kazakhstan has suspended the extradition of Yulia Yemelyanova, a former staff member of Alexei Navalny’s St. Petersburg office, to Russia. Yemelyanova was detained in Almaty in August 2025 after the Russian authorities requested her transfer. The Prosecutor General’s Office halted the extradition after her lawyers filed appeals linked to her asylum claim. Earlier this month, authorities approved Russia’s request despite her pending asylum application. Her lawyer subsequently stated that he would challenge that approval before the Supreme Court. Russian investigators have accused Yemelyanova of theft linked to a 2021 case. Her defense rejects the charge and argues that the prosecution...

U.S. Sanctions

U.S. Sanctions Uzbek Citizen Over Alleged Cybercrime Links

The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has imposed sanctions on an Uzbek citizen over alleged involvement in cybercrime activities linked to Russian actors, according to an official press release published on the agency’s website. OFAC reported that Azizjon Mamashoyev, a citizen of Uzbekistan born in 1987, was added to the sanctions list under regulations related to Russia-linked activities. U.S. authorities allege that he participated in cyber operations and maintained connections with individuals suspected of conducting malicious cyber activities. The announcement included identifying details, listing Mamashoyev’s date of birth as February 20, 1987, and confirming...

Environment

Kyrgyz Retailers Prepare for Gradual Phase-Out of Plastic

Pressure is increasing on businesses in Kyrgyzstan to reduce their use of plastic. However, judging by the government’s latest initiatives, the transition to new environmental standards is expected to be gradual and shaped by compromise. The Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology, and Technical Supervision has announced the launch of the “Green Entrepreneur” platform, through which companies willing to phase out plastic can obtain official recognition. The initiative comes alongside preparations for large-scale restrictions on the use of plastic bags, scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2027. Although a full ban has not yet been introduced, several major retailers have...

Air Pollution

Report Reveals Persistently High Air Pollution Levels in Bishkek and Osh

Natural World

Kazakhstan Plans First Legal Saiga Horn Exports

Environment

“Acid clouds” from Iran? Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan Weather Agencies Say There is No Threat to Central Asia

Nature Reserves

Kazakhstan Plans to Expand Nature Reserves by Two Million Hectares by 2035

Desertification

Environmental Pressures Affect Up to 80% of Irrigated Land in Turkmenistan

Environmental pressures in Turkmenistan are intensifying, with desertification, water scarcity, and ecological degradation posing increasing risks to agriculture and public health, according to a recent analysis cited by News-Asia. The study was prepared by experts from the Central Asia Climate Foundation (CACF)’s climate change and green energy project office ahead of a regional environmental summit scheduled for April 22–24 in Astana. Researchers warn that desertification has reached critical levels across large parts of the country. The expansion of the Karakum and Kyzylkum deserts is described as among the fastest globally, threatening farmland, infrastructure, and living standards. Land degradation is being...

Agriculture

Kyrgyzstan Plans $10 Million Animal Vaccine Plant to Strengthen Livestock Sector

Kyrgyzstan is planning to build a modern animal vaccine production facility as part of broader efforts to improve disease prevention and support the development of its livestock sector. The project was discussed on March 17 during a meeting between Minister of Water Resources, Agriculture, and Processing Industry Erlist Akunbekov and representatives of Altyn Tamyr Joint-Stock Company. Altyn Tamyr is currently the country’s only producer of veterinary biopreparations, supplying the domestic market and exporting products to Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, and Azerbaijan. Akunbekov described the planned facility as a strategic initiative and instructed officials to ensure that construction and commissioning proceed...

sustainable energy

Kyrgyzstan Seeks Climate Finance and Carbon Market Funding to Cut Emissions

Kyrgyzstan is preparing to sign a carbon project aimed at supporting the country’s transition to sustainable energy. The announcement was made by Energy Minister Taalaibek Ibrayev following a meeting with World Bank Country Manager for Kyrgyzstan Hugh Riddell on March 13. The initiative will be supported by the Transformative Carbon Asset Facility (TCAF), a World Bank trust fund designed to help developing countries introduce market-based carbon pricing mechanisms and attract private investment in low-carbon technologies. TCAF provides a hybrid financing model that combines climate finance with carbon market funding. Payments are made only after verified reductions in greenhouse gas emissions...

Water Management

Uzbekistan Allocates $49 Million to Prevent Water Shortages and Upgrade Canals

Uzbekistan will allocate 600 billion UZS (about $49 million) this year to improve water management and reduce the risk of shortages, according to a presidential decision issued on March 5. The funding will support additional measures aimed at using water resources more efficiently and preparing for potential water scarcity during the irrigation season. Under the plan, most of the funds will be directed toward modernizing irrigation infrastructure. The government intends to reconstruct and concrete 389 kilometers of irrigation canals that currently experience high levels of water loss. Officials say these improvements could help save an average of 206 million cubic...

Alatau: Inside Kazakhstan’s $20 Billion “City of the Future”

Latest

Features

Features

Referendums, Rockets, and the Rogun Dam

Latest

Sunkar Podcast

Referendums, Rockets, and the Rogun Dam

Sunkar Podcast

Opinions

Opinions

Aidar Borangaziyev

Javier M. Piedra

Dr. Bismillah Mangal

Raza Syed

Aidar Borangaziyev

Mian Nasser Hyatt Maggo & Engineer Arshad H. Abbasi

Dr. Eric Rudenshiold

Javier M. Piedra

Anvar Nazirov

Nilaya Magidish

Timur Serikuly

William Cui

Business & Economy

Business & Economy

Kazakhstan to Invest Over $15.5 Billion in Coal-Fired Power Generation

Kyrgyz Citizens Are Spending More and Saving Less

Kazakhstan’s Trade with China Is Growing, but the Deficit Is Widening

How the Container Hub in Aktau Is Changing the Game on the Trans-Caspian Route

Uzbekistan Explores Gas-Chemical Cooperation with South Africa’s Sasol

Local Politics

Local Politics

Kyrgyzstan Braces for Showdown Between President Japarov and Former Security Chief Tashiyev

Kazakhstan’s Constitutional Reform and the Logic of Modernization

Kazakhstan Prepares for Its First-Ever Administrative Amnesty

Turkmenistan’s Army Facing a Growing Exodus of Personnel

Kazakhstan Faces Landmark Constitutional Referendum

International Affairs

International Affairs

Central Asia’s Airspace Is Growing in Value as the Iran Conflict Reshapes Routes

Tokayev Proposes Turkestan as Venue for Middle East Peace Talks

Xi Jinping and Berdymuhamedov Sr. Discuss Expansion of China-Turkmenistan Partnership

Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan Send Humanitarian Aid to Iran

Italy’s Eni Expands Energy Projects in Kazakhstan with Hybrid Power Plant

Life & Culture

Life & Culture

Kazakhstani Cinema at a Turning Point: Screenwriter Sergey Litovchenko Discusses the Industry

How Kazakhstan’s Southern Cities Celebrated Nauryz

Prototype Driverless Taxi Unveiled in Astana

Pannier and Hillard’s Spotlight on Central Asia: New Episode Out Now

The History of Nauryz: An Ancient Festival That Continues to Unite Central Asia

Justice

Justice

Appeals Filed Against Life Sentences in Crocus City Hall Attack Case