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Central Asia and the nuclear proliferation all around

LONDON (TCA) — It is hardly a secret any longer: both Saudi Arabia and Turkey are becoming atomic powers and their plans stretch further than just Kurds and Syria. The consequences for Central Asia’s post-Soviet republics can become extremely grave sooner than it looks – not in the least because numerous cases of “disappeared” radioactive waste point in the direction of the “enemy within” – meaning Daesh, Al-Qaeda and similar groups. Put together, the facts as far as known show that the world is now closer to a nuclear military adventure, and Central Asia is not outside the danger zone. Continue reading

Central Asia between ‘extremists’ and ‘moderates’: fundamentalism on the rise

OSH, Kyrgyzstan (TCA) — A growing number of commentators and other observers, both in the west and in the former USSR, are casting doubt on the distinction between “radicals” and “moderates” among “Muslim activists” both in Syria and the world outside it. If there is one place in the world that shows how justified such suspicions are to some extent, it must be Central Asia. Continue reading

Central Asia: dynasties and power succession in autocratic regimes

LONDON (TCA) — May 22 is the date set for the final nod by the people of Tajikistan through a referendum to change the Constitution to allow the present head of state take part in presidential elections for as many terms as he wishes. Continue reading

Tajikistan security: recalling past Civil War under present situation

LONDON (TCA) — In December 1992, seven months after the start of the sectarian Tajik Civil War, the Russian 201st Motor Rifle Division recaptured the Tajik capital of Dushanbe which had been held by the United Tajik Opposition, a coalition of Islamists, nationalists and democrats. The 201st Division was a unit of the Russian Army, stationed in Tajikistan after the withdrawal from Afghanistan. The 201st were the border guards on the periphery of the Soviet Union with the 810 mile long border with Afghanistan to the south and the turbulent Chinese province of Xinjiang to the East. Continue reading

‘Peace’ with the Taliban: an open invitation to sheer terror

KABUL (TCA) — By the end of this month a four countries meeting between Afghanistan, Pakistan, China, and United States should take place in Kabul to consider a direct talks with the Taliban about peace. Will this type of “peace” in Afghanistan rehabilitate those malefactors that cause tremendous damage giving them a chance to spread more terror inside the country and beyond? Continue reading

Kyrgyzstan should give its citizens new opportunities

BISHKEK (TCA) — Kyrgyzstan still holds on to overall economic growth – in contrast to its other major-size partners within the EEU namely Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus, which have suffered from considerable contractions through the year 2015. In this country, the main question is not just growth, but how to adjust the breakdown of the national economy in such a manner that the staggering 40 per cent of the population consisting of deprived citizens can get the opportunity to improve their lives.   Continue reading