International Affairs - The Times Of Central Asia

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Afghanistan

Former Afghan Deputy Speaker “Abbas Dollar” Arrested in Tashkent

Abbas Ibrahimzada, a former deputy speaker of Afghanistan’s parliament, was arrested in Tashkent on September 24, according to sources cited by Amu. Despite reportedly posting bail of more than $350,000, he has remained in custody for over a week. His arrest follows multiple complaints filed by business rivals. Local sources indicate that Ibrahimzada has invested more than $50 million in Uzbekistan over the past four years, with ventures spanning commercial transport and flour production. His detention has raised concerns about potential disruptions to his extensive business interests. Ibrahimzada has not publicly commented on the case. A prominent representative from Balkh province during the 16th term of Afghanistan’s parliament, Ibrahimzada is widely known by the nickname “Abbas Dollar”, a nod to his reputation as one of Afghanistan’s wealthiest private investors. In addition to his political career, Ibrahimzada has long been active in business. According to Afghan-Bios, he heads the Ibrahimzada Group, which operates across multiple sectors, including energy, infrastructure, and education. His arrest in Uzbekistan adds a new layer of complexity to his cross-border business profile, drawing attention to the intersection of political and commercial interests in Central Asia. The case also highlights the legal uncertainties foreign investors may encounter in the region. Authorities have not released an official statement regarding the specific charges or the status of his business operations in Uzbekistan.

Organization of Turkic States

Gabala 2025: What the Turkic World Will Discuss Amid Global Turbulence

On October 7, leaders of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) will gather in Gabala, Azerbaijan, for the 12th summit under the theme “Regional Peace and Security.” At first glance, it may look like another routine engagement. Yet against the backdrop of overlapping global crises, the forum is increasingly a test of the OTS’s maturity and relevance. The summit unfolds amid a turbulent international landscape. Afghanistan continues to cast a shadow over Central Asia: economic volatility, migration risks, and the activity of extremist groups remain sources of concern for OTS members. The ongoing war in Ukraine, meanwhile, is reshaping Eurasian transit routes, placing the bloc’s states in delicate positions between East and West. At the same time, violence in the Middle East is adding to the pressures on Turkey’s already complex foreign policy environment. The Middle Corridor at the Center A key theme in Gabala will be the advancement of the Middle Corridor, formally known as the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route. This east–west route connects China with Europe via Kazakhstan, the Caspian ports of Aktau and Kuryk, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey. Investments are moving forward across the chain: Kazakhstan is expanding port and rail capacity, Azerbaijan is modernizing the Port of Baku in Alat, Georgia is upgrading its railway hubs, and Turkey is reinforcing the Baku–Kars line. Once a logistical project, the corridor is evolving into a strategic framework that ties together economic, environmental, and security considerations. Customs harmonization, digital tracking systems, and sustainability standards are now discussed as much as cargo volumes. Security, Coordination, and Soft Power Security will also be on the table, though framed in practical rather than military terms. Issues such as counter-terrorism cooperation, cyber resilience, disaster response, and the safety of emerging transit corridors are likely to feature. In this sense, security is increasingly seen as the foundation for trade and investment rather than a standalone agenda. Beyond infrastructure, OTS continues to develop soft power tools. Educational exchanges, cultural cooperation, green energy initiatives, and water management projects are part of efforts to build intra-regional trust. The recently inaugurated UN Regional Center for the SDGs in Almaty provides another anchor, aligning the Turkic bloc with global sustainability frameworks. A Turning Point for the Turkic Council? Founded in 2009 primarily as a cultural and humanitarian forum, the OTS is now edging toward a broader role. By coordinating infrastructure projects, harmonizing regulations, and cautiously addressing security concerns, it is positioning itself as a relevant player in Eurasian affairs. Much will depend on whether Gabala produces more than communiqués. Concrete steps on the Middle Corridor, digital customs corridors, joint water initiatives, or disaster coordination could demonstrate that the OTS is maturing into a platform for practical solutions. While major breakthroughs are unlikely, even incremental progress would signal that the Turkic Council is becoming a pillar of regional stability and integration.

Air Transport

Uzbekistan Airways Refutes Near-Collision Reports in Russian Airspace

Uzbekistan Airways has denied claims that one of its aircraft was involved in a near-collision with a private jet in Russian airspace, describing the reports inaccurate and misleading. The airline issued a statement in response to tabloid coverage in Russia alleging a serious aviation incident near Moscow’s Vnukovo International Airport. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, the incident allegedly occurred shortly after midnight on September 29 near Serpukhov, south of Moscow. Early accounts indicated that an Uzbekistan Airways Airbus A320 en route from Samarkand and an Embraer Legacy 650 business jet flying from Bodrum came within three kilometers horizontally and 700 feet vertically of each other—below international safety thresholds—due to a miscommunication over altitude clearance. Uzbekistan Airways has firmly rejected this version of events. In a statement from its press service, the airline stressed that its crew fully complied with all instructions from Moscow air traffic control and did not breach any flight regulations. “All altitude levels were maintained in accordance with the established rules and procedures, and the required separation between aircraft was preserved,” the statement read. The airline also clarified that the flight in question occurred on September 28, not September 29 as initially reported. It added that the aircraft’s onboard safety systems did not issue any alerts, and Moscow’s air traffic controllers made no objections or complaints about the crew’s actions. Uzbekistan Airways criticized several Russian media outlets for publishing what it described as unverified information, which was later reprinted by some Uzbek outlets without proper verification. “This created a misleading impression among readers,” the airline said. Reaffirming its commitment to international aviation standards, the company stated that flight safety remains its highest priority and that all crews operate in strict compliance with air traffic control instructions.

Military Psychologists in Kazakhstan Say AI Chatbot Can Help in Hard Times

Kazakhstan’s military has turned to artificial intelligence to help stressed service members, unveiling the “AI-sulu” Telegram bot, a digital adviser available to those in need around the clock. The development comes as military leaders around the world look more closely at AI as a tool for the psychological treatment of personnel who sometimes go through harsh and traumatic experiences as part of their job, and are reluctant to talk to other people about it. The Kazakhstani bot was introduced at a military meeting in Astana in late September by Major Qasymkhan Tuitin, head of the information department at the National Military-Patriotic Center, which hosts displays about military history and promotes education and morale in the armed forces. The goal is not to replace human responders, he said, but to offer a first line of assistance at a critical time. “AI-sulu cannot replace a live specialist, but in difficult moments it can provide first aid, listen, and direct people toward the necessary advice and resources,” Tuitin said, according to the Ministry of Defense. AI-sulu provides anonymity to military personnel and their families and is available in the Kazakh and Russian languages, the ministry says. At the Astana meeting, participants talked about how to prevent destructive behavior and the role of IT tools in psychological work. The military’s bot initiative comes as Kazakhstan prepares to deploy artificial intelligence on a large scale across the economy, government and education, though there are concerns about cybersecurity, regulatory oversight and other aspects of the fast-developing technology. Militaries in some other countries have implemented AI in psychological treatment or are looking to do so. Chatbots were introduced in Ukraine, a highly digitized society, to help address psychological trauma after Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. A recent article published in the Military Medicine journal in the United States said there has been less research in U.S. military populations, compared to civilian populations, about the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning in behavioral health. There are positive signs but more research is needed, it said, noting concerns about suicide rates and declining mental health in the military. Another article in the journal noted that progress by adversaries such as China and Russia in AI-driven military health care “underscore the urgency for the United States to accelerate its integration efforts.” The veteran affairs department of Canada’s government posted about a study this year of an AI-powered chatbot that would provide “trauma-informed” support to service members who have suffered sexual assault and harassment. “Existing resources are underutilized due to stigma, fear of retaliation, and complex procedures,” the department said. “This project will explore the potential of using Large Language Model (LLM) driven chatbots to improve access to trauma support in a safe, confidential, and judgment-free manner.”

Air Transport

Uzbekistan Airways Plane in Near Miss with Business Jet Over Moscow

An Uzbekistan Airways passenger jet and a private business aircraft came dangerously close to colliding in Russian airspace near Serpukhov, south of Moscow, due to a radio miscommunication, according to reports from the Telegram channel Aviatorshina. The incident occurred shortly after midnight on September 29, as both planes were descending toward Moscow’s Vnukovo Airport. The aircraft involved were an Embraer Legacy 650 business jet flying from Bodrum (registration RA-02753) and an Uzbekistan Airways Airbus A320 inbound from Samarkand (registration UK-32018). According to Aviatorshina, the Embraer was cruising at 9,000 feet when air traffic controllers instructed the Airbus to descend to 10,000 feet. However, the A320 crew mistakenly read back the clearance as 9,000 feet and the error went unnoticed by both of the controllers on duty, despite overseeing only six aircraft at the time. As a result, the Uzbekistan Airways jet descended below its assigned altitude, breaching minimum separation standards. The two aircraft reportedly passed each other with a horizontal gap of about three kilometers, less than the required five and a vertical distance of only 700 feet instead of the mandated 1,000 feet. Although the ground-based conflict alert system was triggered, there were no reports that the onboard Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) was activated. Both aircraft landed safely without further incident. Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency (Rosaviatsiya) has classified the occurrence as an aviation incident and launched an investigation. The event marks the eighth reported safety-related incident in Moscow’s airspace this year, with two occurring in the past week alone, including another near-collision at Sheremetyevo Airport. In response, the State Corporation for Air Traffic Management (GK ORVD) has demoted the entire management team of the Moscow Air Traffic Control Center for the month of September. Officials have warned that continued lapses in safety performance could lead to a complete overhaul of the branch’s leadership.

International Diplomacy

Mirziyoyev Secures Spotlight During U.S. Visit

In a significant diplomatic breakthrough, Uzbekistan emerged as a standout player during this year’s United Nations General Assembly events in New York. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev not only secured a high-profile meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, but also signed a landmark $8 billion deal with Boeing to purchase Dreamliner jets, a move that drew praise from Trump and captured the attention of the international business community. Trump publicly endorsed the agreement on social media, calling Mirziyoyev “a man of his word” and noting the deal would create “over 35,000 jobs” in the United States. Mirziyoyev’s visit included a high-level investment roundtable with executives from leading U.S. corporations and financial institutions. According to Forbes, trade between the two countries has quadrupled under Mirziyoyev’s leadership, with more than 300 American companies now active in Uzbekistan. Strategic sectors such as rare-earth metals and critical minerals took center stage during the discussions. Among the key meetings was one with the vice president of the Colorado School of Mines, who expressed support for establishing a research center in Uzbekistan. Other topics included joint initiatives in banking, information technology, transportation, and energy infrastructure. The scale of the Boeing deal served as a symbolic anchor to broader efforts: positioning Uzbekistan as a key connector between Central Asia and the Western economy. This aligns with a larger strategic pivot that analysts have long advocated. As U.S. engagement in Central Asia expands, countries like Uzbekistan are increasingly looking to diversify away from dependence on Russia and China. Forbes noted that the Trump administration is building on foundations laid by its predecessor by promoting regional initiatives such as the Zangezur Corridor, referred to as the “Trump Corridor”, aimed at linking Central Asia to global markets without passing through Russian territory. Mirziyoyev’s face-to-face meeting with Trump, followed by the public endorsement, also plays into shifting domestic narratives. It signals growing diplomatic credibility and a willingness to operate as an equal on the global stage. The convergence of political recognition and commercial investment may mark a turning point in Uzbekistan’s foreign policy, not just as a recipient of aid, but as a proactive economic actor. With the Boeing order and growing support from U.S. business leaders, Uzbekistan is staking its future on deepening ties with the West. Coupled with ongoing domestic reforms, the country is making a strategic bet that modernization and diversified partnerships will yield long-term dividends.