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Steel Highways: The State of Central Asia’s Railways

Railways in Central Asia have always played an important political and economic role, but amid the current geopolitical turbulence, they have become a crucial means of transporting goods from China to Europe and the Middle East, bypassing sanctioned Russia. But what is the state of Central Asia's railway industry, and is it up to the new challenges? The history of rail transport in Central Asia dates back to the end of the 19th century. In 1874, a special commission of the Russian Empire recognized the need to construct a line from Orenburg to Tashkent. Later, however, strategic considerations forced a change of plan and to ensure a stable connection between the Turkestan and Caucasus regions, the first steel highway in Central Asia would be built to connect Tashkent with the eastern coast of the Caspian Sea. This was an active period of the so-called Great Game, when Russia and Great Britain competed in Central Asia. Since then, the geopolitical importance of railways in the region, which lacks access to oceans, has not decreased whatsoever. Indeed, amid armed conflicts in the Middle East and between Russia and Ukraine, railways have become even more important given their role in ensuring the movement of goods along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR) and the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC). Against this backdrop, Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has tasked the national railway company Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ) with leading the transformation of the country into a transport and logistics hub. Kazakhstan: A story of steady development The length of Kazakhstan's mainline rail network is over 16,000 km, with over 800 stations and crossing points. The freight car fleet exceeds 120,000 units, while locomotives number more than 1,700. Kazakhstan’s railways account for 70% of freight traffic, and 60% of passenger traffic in the country. Just under 1% of the country’s population is employed in the rail industry. According to the KTZ's annual report in 2023, container transit rose 14% year-over-year to 1.282 million TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units), which drove a 30.6% year-on-year rise in operating income to KZT1.934 trillion, while net profit came in at KZT136.8 billion ($286.8 million). The volume of freight transported between Kazakhstan and China was also up 22% to 28 million tons. In addition, KTZ reported the completion of large-scale track repairs in 2023, with 1,443 km of railway track repaired, double the figure achieved in 2022. The start of large infrastructure projects was also noted. In particular, construction was launched of the Darbaza–Maktaaral and Bakhty–Ayagoz lines (with a third border crossing with China set to be opened in 2027), while construction of the bypass line around Almaty also commenced. Over 300 km of the second track was laid on the Dostyk-Moyynty railway section. Finally, a Kazakh transport and logistics terminal was opened in the Chinese dry port of Xi'an. Uzbekistan: First high-speed rail in Central Asia O’zbekiston Temir Yo’llari (UTY), Uzbekistan's national rail carrier, was founded on November 7, 1994, taking over the lines of the Soviet-era Middle...

Taliban Announces Revision of Borders With Central Asian Countries

According to the acting Afghan Minister of Energy and Water Resources, Abdul Latif Mansour, Afghanistan's borders with Central Asian countries, which have been eroded, will be revised. "Due to floods, our borders with Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan were eroded. We are working to restore these borders and have already discussed this issue with our supreme leader," Mansour said. However, it is still unclear whether the neighboring states have been notified. Mansour stressed that the plan to revise the borders, developed on the instructions of the Islamic Emirati leader, Haibatullah Akhundzad, will be implemented jointly with the ministries of the Interior, Foreign Affairs, Defense, and the General Intelligence Directorate. Mansour did not disclose the details of the strategy, but the ministry spokesman assured those assembled that Afghanistan's actions on water resources management will not harm neighboring countries. It should be noted that the borders of Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and partially Turkmenistan, along with Afghanistan, run along the Amu Darya River. When the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan, construction of the Qosh-Tepa irrigation canal, which originates from the Amu Darya, began. Once completed, the canal will supply water to the agricultural northern provinces of Faryab and Balkh. Additionally, land for three projects will be allocated, including provisions for Jawzjan. These plans have raised concerns in neighboring Central Asian countries, especially Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, which depend on water from the Amu Darya. However, the Afghan authorities argue they have a legal right to their share of the river's flow, which they have not yet utilized.

Chess: Young Kazakh Boy Takes on World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen

Magnus Carlsen, the world’s top-ranked chess player for more than a decade, stretched back and yawned as he waited to begin a match at the 2024 FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Team Championship in Astana, Kazakhstan. Facing him across the board was Nurassyl Primbetov, a young Kazakh boy who smiled and straightened his black pieces in their squares ahead of what was surely one of his biggest moments as a chess talent. Primbetov was born in 2013, according to the FIDE website. “Who is this young player? It must be so exciting for him to be facing Magnus Carlsen,” said Irina Krush, an American grandmaster doing commentary for FIDE, the International Chess Federation, on its YouTube channel. Another commentator warned against underestimating very young players, saying they are often “super dangerous” in blitz chess. It was one of the more unusual encounters in the chess event, which drew many of the world’s best players to the Kazakh capital over the past week. In the rapid chess contest, the Al-Ain ACMG UAE team was the winner, while the Decade China team led by world champion Ding Liren came second. The WR Chess team, which included Carlsen, won the blitz portion of the championship, defeating Indian squad MGD1 in the final on Monday. “I’ve been struggling a bit here, coming from a big time difference. I haven’t really been able to sleep much. Today I was really running on fumes,” a bleary-eyed Carlsen said after his team’s blitz victory in an interview on the FIDE channel. Carlsen, who is from Norway, said adrenaline had eventually kicked in and he was able to focus better. “Honestly, I just want to sleep. So, that’s how I’ll celebrate,” he said. Earlier, there was buzz around the clash between Carlsen, with a rating of 2,888 points in blitz chess, and Primbetov, with a rating of 1,904. “As a kid, it is not every day that you get to play with the world #1 Magnus Carlsen,” ChessBase India said. Representing the Baiterekchess team, Primbetov met Carlsen in a pre-knockout qualifying round. The Kazakh player came under early pressure as Carlsen’s white knights pushed hard on the black king side. Blitz games last just a few minutes and 33-year-old Carlsen was up on the clock against his young opponent, who was running out of time. Still, Krush noted that Carlsen, a world champion in multiple years, wasn’t trying to play very fast or unleash any fancy moves that could deliver a quick checkmate against the Kazakh boy. “He’s not trying to put any psychological pressure on his young opponent,” Krush said, adding that she didn’t think it was “an accident” because Carlsen tends to show a “gentleman-like demeanor towards these younger players.” Carlsen was once a child prodigy himself. As a 13-year-old in 2004, he drew a game against Garry Kasparov, one of the all-time greats. As Carlsen’s position strengthened and a win appeared inevitable, Primbetov played for a stalemate instead of resigning. But Carlsen bore down with a...

Preparations for 5th World Nomad Games Being Finalized in Kazakhstan

From September 8 to 14, 2024, Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, will host the World Nomad Games, reflecting the cultural heritage of nomadic peoples. The competition promises to be a grandiose event for all participants and spectators. According to preliminary information, about 3000 athletes from 100 countries will participate in the games. The Games, an international competition in nomadic sports, was first held in 2014 in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan, and quickly gained international recognition. The games are held every two years and aim to preserve and popularize unique ethnic sports and cultural traditions. Cholpon-Ata has hosted the international competition three times. In 2014, there were 583 athletes from 19 countries and ten sports; in 2016, there were 1,200 athletes from 62 countries with 26 sports; and in 2018, 2,000 athletes from 82 countries participated in 37 sports. The 4th World Nomad Games were held in 2022 in Iznik, Turkey, and were attended by 3,000 athletes from 102 countries with 13 sporting events. The 2024 program promises to be rich and diverse, covering many disciplines such as kokpar (buzkashi), horse racing, national wrestling, archery, hunting with birds, and traditional intellectual games. A total of 21 competitive sports will be contested, and 97 sets of medals will be awarded. This year's Games program includes rarely-seen sports, such as traditional horseback wrestling. One of the key features of the World Nomad Games is its cultural program. As part of the Games, the Nomad Universe Festival will be held, which will present ethnic exhibitions of traditional crafts and national dishes. This will allow the event's guests to become acquainted with the rich cultural heritage of nomadic peoples, feel the spirit of ancient traditions, and enjoy the unique atmosphere. The main sports venues of the Games will include the Astana Arena, Kazanat Hippodrome, Ushkempirov Martial Arts Palace, Alau Ice Palace, and Duman Complex. These modern facilities will ensure high-quality competitions and comfort for participants and spectators alike. Executive Director of the 5th World Nomad Games, Nail Nurov has said that preparations for the large-scale event have reached the final stages, also emphasizing that the World Nomad Games are not only a sporting event, but also a cultural event. "Now we are creating a large ethno-village of 10 hectares. In addition to the scenes of rich nomadic culture, there will also be a city of artisans. There will be conferences where scientific presentations will be made in the field of traditional sports. This time, there will [also] be a talk on nomadic food culture," he stated.

Cash, Horses, But No Meatballs — What Kazakhstan’s Olympic Medalists Receive For Their Success

As Kazakhstani athletes begin returning home from the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, the medalists are being greeted not only by new fans, but with payments and presents from the government. Yeldos Smetov, Kazakhstan's first-ever Olympic gold medalist in judo, received the keys to a Lexus LX 600 SUV worth at least 78 million KZT ($165,000). He was also given a 5-room apartment in his native Taraz, and a check for 2.6m KZT ($5,500). Smetov received a $250,000 government bonus, lifetime monthly payments of 369,000 KZT ($785), and was promised a herd of 100 thoroughbred horses. Meanwhile, Gusman Kyrgyzbayev, a bronze judo medalist at the Games, was also showered with gifts. A judoka who usually represents the Ministry of Defense's own sports club, Kyrgyzbayev was promoted from senior lieutenant to captain upon his return to Kazakhstan. Kyrgyzbayev was also given a Toyota Land Cruiser-250 SUV worth about 31 million KZT ($65,000), and received $75,000 as a state award. Kazakhstan's Ministry of Tourism and Sports has announced monetary incentives for anyone else who brings a medal home from Paris. Gold medalists will be paid $250,000; silver medalists will receive $150,000, and bronze medalists will receive $75,000. Bonuses of $30,000, $10,000, and $5,000 are also provided for 4th, 5th, and 6th places respectively. As generous as the Kazakh government has been, in East Asia the rewards are even more lavish. The government of Hong Kong is promising prize money of 6 million local dollars ($768,000) to any champions at the 2024 Olympics. In Malaysia, meanwhile, the recent gold medalists in badminton doubles, Apriyani Rahai and Gracie Poli, were each given five cows, a specialty meatball restaurant, and a new house.

LGBTQ+

Controversy and Confrontation Surround LGBT Issues in Kazakhstan

The situation surrounding the so-called “LGBT propaganda” conversation continues to heat up in Kazakhstan. Known for its controversial initiatives and stances, earlier this year the Parents' Union published a petition demanding a ban on demonstrations of non-traditional relationships in the country. The petition gained over 50,000 signatures, meaning Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Culture and Information must consider it under a law passed following Tokayev’s promise of a more engaged and aware “listening state.” However, UN experts have warned that Kazakhstan should not accept the petition for consideration, as it would seriously damage the republic's image in the international arena. The authors of the petition “We are against open and hidden propaganda of LGBT in Kazakhstan,” published on the official portal E-Petition.kz, is the Kazakhstan Union of Parents. The Ministry of Culture reported that according to Article 90-4 of the Administrative Procedural Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the petition should be considered. A working group, which includes representatives of interested parties, state bodies, and public associations, has been established, and hearings are underway. [caption id="attachment_21311" align="aligncenter" width="598"] Poster of Kazakh composer Kurmangazy Sagyrbaiuly and Russian poet Aleksandr Pushkin, Havas Worldwide, Facebook[/caption] UN warning On July 31, UN experts said Kazakhstan should reject the petition calling for a law banning gay propaganda. The statement was attributed to Graham Reed, Independent Expert on the Protection against Violence and Discrimination on the Basis of Sexual Orientation and Gender, Irene Khan, UN Special Rapporteur on the right to freedom of opinion and expression, Mary Llor, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, Gina Romero Rodriguez, Special Rapporteur on the right to freedom of peaceful assembly, and Farida Shaheed, Special Rapporteur on the right to education. "The Government of Kazakhstan should reject the petition it is considering for legislation that violates freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The petition itself is based on prejudice, and any legislation resulting from it inevitably and unlawfully tramples on human rights,” the UN experts stated. In their opinion, the call for a ban on propaganda of the LGBT movement contradicts the Administrative Procedure Code of Kazakhstan. According to it, the government is prohibited from considering petitions, the implementation of which may lead to the violations of human rights and freedoms. If the government responds to the petition and adopts a law banning the public expression of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) identity, it would violate many rights, including freedom of expression and equality before the law, as guaranteed by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which Kazakhstan ratified in 2005. The UN has previously expressed concern about similar bills on so-called “LGBT propaganda” in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and the Russian Federation. In Russia, laws against “LGBT propaganda” were introduced in 2013 and were tightened in 2022. A complete legal ban on LGBT propaganda (among people of all ages) was introduced, administrative cases were conducted, and internet resources were blocked. Kyrgyzstan passed a similar law in 2023, effectively...