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Features

Green Future

Central Asia’s Green Energy Dream: Too Big to Achieve?

Cyberattacks

Ongoing DDoS Attack Disrupts Kazakhstan’s Digital Infrastructure

Rukhshona Khakimova

Parents of Imprisoned Tajik Journalist Rukhshona Khakimova Urge Rahmon to Intervene

The parents of Rukhshona Khakimova, a Tajik journalist sentenced in February 2025 to eight years in prison on charges of treason, have issued an open letter to President Emomali Rahmon, urging him to reconsider their daughter’s case and facilitate her release. Family Appeals for Clemency A copy of the letter,...

Oil Production

Kazakhstan Braces for Economic Fallout from OPEC+ Output Hike

Victory Day

Drone Attacks Intensify Security Worries Over Moscow Anniversary Event

Asylum

As War Rages at Home, Sudanese Student Leaves Kazakhstan for Uncertain Future

Media Freedom

OSCE, European Embassies Concerned About Media Freedom in Tajikistan

Wildlife Restoration

Despite USAID Funding Cuts, Kyrgyzstan Plans to Reintroduce Goitered Gazelle at Issyk-Kul

Kyrgyzstan has launched an ambitious project to restore the population and natural habitat of the goitered gazelle on the southern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul, a region once home to these graceful creatures. Led by the Argali Public Fund, Ilbirs Fund, and the Gulistan farm, the reintroduction effort marks a significant...

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Repatriating Islamic State Fighters and Families: Balancing Security and Humanity

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Opinions

Business & Economy

opinion

Kazakhstan Signals Early Review of Oil Production Sharing Agreements

The question of revisiting Kazakhstan’s production-sharing agreements (PSAs) with foreign oil companies is once again gaining prominence both within the country and internationally. While the Ministry of Energy is formally responsible for managing these contracts, growing pressure is coming not only from civil society but also directly from President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who has publicly questioned the long-standing terms of these deals since 2022. Confidential Terms, Public Scrutiny Recent revelations have further fueled this debate. The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) recently detailed the ongoing arbitration dispute between Kazakhstan and the North Caspian Operating Company (NCOC), which manages the Kashagan...

Gas import

Turkey to Import Turkmen Gas via Caspian Pipeline Within Five Years

Green Energy

Chinese Firms to Build 500 MW Solar Power Plant in Uzbekistan’s Jizzakh Region

Airports

Vietnamese Investment Group Eyes Airport Purchase in Kazakhstan

Crypto market

Binance Founder to Advise Kyrgyzstan President on Digital Assets

Rare Earth Elements

After Securing Ukraine Agreement, U.S. Eyes Central Asia for Rare Earths

After months of negotiations, the United States and Ukraine have finally signed an agreement to co-finance the development of Ukraine’s mineral resources, hydrocarbons, and infrastructure. According to The National Interest, the U.S. will not assume ownership of Ukraine’s assets; instead, profits will be directed into a joint investment fund, with full reinvestment in Ukraine. Ukraine’s First Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko described the deal as a mutually beneficial partnership. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent hailed it as a “historic economic partnership,” underscoring America’s enduring commitment to a “free and prosperous Ukraine.” Since his return to office in January, President Donald...

Oil Price

KazMunayGas Sees No Risk from Falling Oil Prices, Prepares for Market Fluctuations

Kazakhstan’s national oil company KazMunayGas (KMG) has developed contingency strategies to manage volatility in global hydrocarbon markets and says it is fully prepared for any changes in oil prices. As of the morning of May 5, Brent crude had dropped to $59.30 per barrel and WTI to $56.19, the lowest levels since April 9, following the OPEC+ decision to increase production. In response to questions at a media briefing, KMG Deputy Chairman Aset Magauov said the company foresees no significant risks despite this sharp decline. “Analysts expect oil prices to average around $65 per barrel this year, though no one...

Oil Production

Kazakhstan Braces for Economic Fallout from OPEC+ Output Hike

The latest OPEC+ decision to boost oil production in a strained global market threatens to push Kazakhstan closer to recession and further inflation. On May 3, OPEC+ members agreed to a significant increase in oil output for June. Leading financial outlets, including Bloomberg, suggest that the move is intended to penalize member states that have consistently breached their production quotas, most notably Kazakhstan and Iraq. The announcement triggered a sharp drop in oil prices. Production will rise by 411,000 barrels per day in June, following a tripling of output in May from the originally planned volume. Analysts attribute the shift...

Export

Kazakhstan Reduced Fish Exports Last Year

Kazakhstan exported 23,400 tons of fish products in 2024, marking a decline from the previous year despite an overall 7% growth in domestic fish production. The figures point to a significant rise in domestic consumption of fish. According to the Ministry of Agriculture of Kazakhstan, 72 enterprises are currently engaged in fish processing, with 20 of them supplying products to the European Union. Kazakhstani fish products, over 50 types in total, are exported to 21 countries. However, the 2024 export volume fell short of the 25,300 tons reported in 2023, which included 11,800 tons of processed fish, a slight increase...

Local Politics

Military

Kyrgyzstan to Unveil New Air Defense Systems at Military Parade

During recent rehearsals in the town of Tokmok, local residents spotted modern Tor-M2KM air defense systems mounted on KamAZ trucks, marking the first public appearance of these advanced missile systems in Kyrgyzstan’s arsenal. According to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Kyrgyzstan, the country's Victory Day military parade will be held on May 8 in Ala-Too Square in Bishkek. More than 120 military and special-purpose vehicles, including artillery, armored vehicles, and air defense systems, will participate in the event, alongside 8,000 service personnel. The aerial portion of the parade will feature flyovers by both Kyrgyz and Russian aircraft,...

Tourism

Tourist Season Officially Opens in Kyrgyzstan’s Issyk-Kul

Human Rights

Turkmen Cultural Workers Fired Over Refusal to Fund Presidential TV Monitor

Kyrgyz-Tajik Border

Kyrgyzstan Begins Construction of Border Fence with Tajikistan

Water

Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan Reach Deal to Share Chashma Water Spring

Cyberattacks

Ongoing DDoS Attack Disrupts Kazakhstan’s Digital Infrastructure

Kazakhstan is experiencing a large-scale Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack that is disrupting online services across government portals, banking systems, and telecommunications networks. The attack, which began earlier this week, has overwhelmed servers by bombarding them with excessive traffic, rendering critical digital infrastructure inaccessible for thousands of users. The Impact on National Systems The scope of the attack has significantly hobbled online platforms that citizens and organizations rely on for essential services. Users have reported interruptions when attempting to access online banking, state-run portals for taxes, and public resource management services. Government resources have been severely affected, whilst for...

Culture

Kyrgyzstan Proposes Closure of All Rural Libraries

Kyrgyzstan's Cabinet of Ministers has submitted a draft bill for public consultation that proposes the closure of all rural libraries across the country, citing declining readership and poor infrastructure as the primary reasons behind the move. According to the draft law, the heads of rural administrations are required to assess the operational efficiency and relevance of local libraries within three months. Libraries deemed underutilized or ineffective are to be closed, with their book collections transferred to school libraries in the same regions. The Ministry of Culture reports that Kyrgyzstan currently has 1,050 libraries: 859 rural, 9 regional, 64 district, and...

Healthcare

Kazakhstan to Fund Health Insurance for Over A Million Unemployed Citizens

Beginning in 2026, more than one million unemployed and vulnerable citizens in Kazakhstan will be covered by the country’s compulsory medical insurance system (CMIS). Health Minister Akmaral Alnazarova announced that local and regional budgets will assume responsibility for insurance contributions on their behalf. Expanding Access to Medical Coverage Kazakhstan’s current health insurance model requires employed citizens to contribute 2% of their monthly salary, capped at 17,000 KZT (approximately $33), to the Fund for Social Medical Insurance (FSMI). Employers pay an additional 3% of each employee’s salary, while individual entrepreneurs contribute 5% of their income. However, unemployed citizens, even if officially...

Water Supply

Money Seized from Corrupt Kazakh Officials to Fund Water Pipelines

In Kazakhstan's Akmola region, water supply systems will be built in the towns of Kosshy and Makinsk using funds seized from corrupt officials. The government of Kazakhstan reported that more than 1 billion KZT (approximately $2 million) from the Special State Fund has been allocated for this purpose. Water Supply for Kosshy and Makinsk A total of 476.7 million KZT (about $925,000) has been allocated to complete the construction of a water supply network in Kosshy. The project envisions full centralization of the town’s water supply. Currently, approximately 50 kilometers of pipeline have already been laid, with the total network...

International Affairs

Victory Day

Drone Attacks Intensify Security Worries Over Moscow Anniversary Event

Concerns about the security of dignitaries are circulating ahead of Russia’s plans for May 9 celebrations in Moscow of the 80th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany, an event that leaders from Central Asia are expected to attend as the Russo-Ukrainian war continues. The unease relates to Ukraine’s growing capacity in drone warfare, a dominant feature of the battlefield after years of war between Ukrainian troops and invading Russian forces. On Sunday, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said air defense forces in the urban area of Podolsk, on the outskirts of Moscow, “repelled an attack” by four drones flying toward...

Migrant Rights

Uzbekistan Raises Concern over Treatment of its Migrants in Russia

Airport Modernization

South Korean Firm to Oversee Modernization of Uzbekistan’s Urgench Airport

Electricity supply

Kazakhstan Has a Deal for Tajik Electricity, Now the Wait Begins

Drone production

Uzbekistan and Russia to Launch Joint Drone Production Plant by End of 2025

Asylum

As War Rages at Home, Sudanese Student Leaves Kazakhstan for Uncertain Future

A Sudanese student named Amir began studying at a university in Almaty, Kazakhstan in 2023, just a few months before rival military factions in his country launched a devastating civil war that, according to some estimates, has killed tens of thousands of people and forced more than 10 million to flee their homes. For Amir, the war was the beginning of an extended period of uncertainty during which he faced financial problems, worried about his displaced family back home, unsuccessfully applied for refugee status in Kazakhstan, feared deportation to Sudan and even faced the possibility of living in limbo in...

Trump Administration

U.S. Cuts Funding for Uzbek Cotton Transparency Project

On April 30, during a cabinet meeting at the White House attended by President Donald Trump, U.S. Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer announced the cancellation of more than $38 million in foreign aid programs, including funding for a project aimed at improving transparency and labor practices in Uzbekistan’s cotton industry. “We have saved $250 million by canceling foreign aid programs under ‘America Last,’” said Chavez-DeRemer, referring to initiatives the Trump administration believes do not align with U.S. interests. “It makes no sense for our funds to be spent on such things. Thank you DOGE for the savings. What we found was...

Illegal Immigration

Uzbekistan Leads Repatriation of Deported Citizens from the U.S.

A group of 131 individuals from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan were repatriated from the United States this week on a special charter flight, Fox News reports. The flight, organized and funded by the government of Uzbekistan, followed a bilateral agreement with U.S. authorities and reflects expanding cooperation between the two countries on migration and security issues. Departing the U.S. on April 30, the flight primarily carried Uzbek nationals who had been living in the United States without legal status. According to the agreement, Uzbek citizens were transported to Tashkent, while those from Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan are expected to continue on...

Migrants

U.S. Deports Over 100 Central Asian Migrants on Uzbek Charter Flight

More than 100 people from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan who were illegally in the United States have been deported on a charter flight organized by the Uzbek government, the U.S. Embassy in Tashkent said on Thursday. The operation, which happened on Wednesday, was “the first in which a U.S. partner proactively provided a dedicated flight to repatriate its citizens” and underscores collaboration on issues such as counterterrorism and law enforcement, according to the embassy. “By organizing and funding the removal of its citizens present illegally in the United States and allowing the removal of nationals from other countries on Uzbek...

Life & Culture

Guiness World Records

Kazakh Acrobats Enter Guinness World Records with Daring Feat

Batyr Zhanuzak and Marlen Maratov, acrobats from the Almaty Circus, have entered the Guinness World Records following a breathtaking performance at the international show Lo Show Dei Record in Milan. The duo stunned both the jury and audience when Zhanuzak climbed up and down a ladder twice, all while balancing Maratov in a one-arm handstand on his head. Their feat, completed in 36 seconds, was recognized as a world record in the category: “Fastest time climbing and descending two ladders with a person standing on their hands on the head.” “We already have four records with the team, though not...

Culture

Record-Breaking Carpet Unveiled at Tulip Festival in Kazakhstan

May Day

May Day in Central Asia: From Soviet Parades to a Celebration of Unity

STEM

Video: From Hardship to Accomplishment – Meet the Kazakh Woman Supporting Female STEM Students

Higher Education

Korean Universities Expand Cooperation with Kazakhstan

History

The Story of World War Two Hero Tair Tastandiev

During World War II, the Soviet leadership established the “Order of Glory”, to honor soldiers for acts of personal bravery. Often referred to as the “Soldier’s Order,” it was awarded strictly for individual merit. According to its statute, the order was to be conferred progressively, beginning with the 3rd Class and culminating in the 1st Class. Those who received all three classes became Full Cavaliers of the Order of Glory and were granted the same rights as recipients of the title “Hero of the Soviet Union.” Yet during the war, for unclear reasons, there were curious cases in which the...

Space Exploration

Soviet Space Probe to Fall to Earth 50 Years After Baikonur Launch

In 1972, the Soviet Union launched a Venus-bound lander probe called Cosmos 482 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, which was then a Soviet republic. The probe, which never got out of Earth's orbit, is expected to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere in a week or so. “Because the probe was designed to withstand entry into the Venus atmosphere, it is possible the probe (or parts of it) will survive reentry at Earth and reach the surface,” U.S. space agency NASA said on Friday. “It is thought that a malfunction resulted in an engine burn which did not achieve sufficient velocity for...

History

Twentieth Century Travelogue Documents British Women’s Experiences in Central Asia

Interpreting English-language sources accurately for Kazakh readers can be quite challenging. It often requires drawing on the richness, expressiveness, and natural rhythm of the Kazakh language. I came to appreciate this during an internship in the United States. Each evening, on the first floor of our home in Arlington, Virginia, I would spend about three hours in the study, poring over old library books containing historical records about Kazakhs. A quote often came to mind during those long nights: “A person with a good book is never truly alone.” It became both a source of inspiration and motivation. One day,...

Healthcare

Kyrgyzstan Triples Blood Donation Compensation to Boost Supplies

The Kyrgyz government has tripled financial compensation for blood donors in a move aimed at securing adequate blood supplies for hospitals nationwide. The decision marks the first increase in donor payments since 2009. According to a government statement, the new policy is designed to promote blood donation, enhance the quality of medical care, and ensure consistent availability of blood and its components for hospitalized patients. “Despite technological advances, donated blood and its components remain an indispensable national resource,” officials noted. Under the updated compensation scheme, blood donors will now receive 800 Kyrgyz som, or approximately $9-10, in addition to a...

Justice

Economy

Tajikistan Has the Harshest Fines Relative to Income in Central Asia

Tajikistan ranks first among Central Asian countries in the ratio of maximum fines to average salaries, a disparity that has sparked growing dissatisfaction among the population. Structure and Scale of Fines Fines in Tajikistan fall into two categories: administrative and criminal. Administrative fines apply to less serious infractions, such as traffic violations, breaches of sanitary rules, and disorderly conduct. Criminal fines, by contrast, target serious offenses including fraud, tax evasion, and property crimes. Administrative penalties are more common and tend to disproportionately impact ordinary citizens. As of January 1, 2025, the minimum administrative fine for individuals and sole proprietors is...

Rukhshona Khakimova

Parents of Imprisoned Tajik Journalist Rukhshona Khakimova Urge Rahmon to Intervene

Racial Discrimination

Supreme Court of Kyrgyzstan Speaks Out Against Racial Discrimination

Human rights

Turkmenistan Denies Torture Allegations in Case of Activist Mansur Mingelov

Visa

Visa-Free Deal Under Review After Arrests of Uzbek Citizens in Dubai

Trump Administration

U.S. Offers $1,000 Incentive for Voluntary Self-Deportation

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has launched a new program offering financial and travel assistance to undocumented immigrants who voluntarily leave the United States. Announced on May 5, the initiative provides a $1,000 stipend and covers airfare for eligible individuals who arrange their departure through the CBP Home mobile app. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem described the program as a "historic opportunity" that is safer, more orderly, and more cost-effective than traditional deportation methods. According to DHS estimates, the average cost of arresting, detaining, and deporting an individual is approximately $17,121. The self-deportation program is projected to reduce these...

Media Freedom

OSCE, European Embassies Concerned About Media Freedom in Tajikistan

A conference was held in Dushanbe to mark World Press Freedom Day, celebrated annually on May 3. Despite Tajikistan's slight rise in the 2025 Press Freedom Index, international observers remain unconvinced that the situation in the country has improved. Official ratings vs. real-world conditions The event was organized by the media unit of the OSCE Office of Programs in Tajikistan, with support from Internews, the EU Delegation, and the embassies of Germany, France, and the United Kingdom. Discussions focused on the state of free speech, prospects for sustainable media development, and the role of women in journalism. According to Reporters...

Migrants

Uzbekistan and Russia Hold First Meeting on Labor Migration and Migrant Rights

On April 29, an interagency delegation from Uzbekistan visited Moscow for the inaugural session of the Uzbekistan–Russia working group on labor migration and migrant rights. The Prosecutor General’s Office of Uzbekistan reported that the delegation was led by Uzbekistan’s Deputy Prosecutor General Shohrukh Aminov. The Russian delegation was headed by Deputy Prosecutor General Pyotr Gorodov and included representatives from the Prosecutor General’s Office, the Federal Security Service, and the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Internal Affairs. Uzbekistan’s delegation comprised officials from the Prosecutor General’s Office, the State Security Service, the Migration Agency, and the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Internal Affairs,...

Healthcare

Kazakhstan to Equip Emergency Medical Workers with Body Cameras in Security Push

The Ministry of Health of Kazakhstan plans to introduce body cameras for emergency medical personnel by the end of 2025, in a move aimed at increasing their protection amid rising incidents of violence. Health Minister Akmaral Alnazarova announced the initiative during a government briefing. “As for protection, we will introduce video badges that will record everything that happens. We have issued a corresponding order. Local authorities will have to allocate funds. I think we will carry out this work in stages by the end of this year,” said Alnazarova, as quoted by Zakon.kz. According to the minister, the pilot initiative...

Environment

Water

Underground Tunnel Proposed to Channel Water from Black Sea to Caspian Sea

Azerbaijan’s ADOG company, in partnership with Zira Sea Port, has proposed an ambitious plan to construct an underground tunnel linking the Black Sea to the Caspian Sea. The goal is to counteract the rapid decline in the Caspian’s water level, which presents mounting environmental, economic, and infrastructural risks for the five littoral states. According to the analytical portal Minval Politika, the project envisions a 10-meter diameter tunnel connecting the Black Sea, either from the Georgian or Russian coastline, to the Caspian Sea. Engineers propose using the natural elevation difference between the two bodies of water to enable gravity-fed flow from...

Wildlife Restoration

Despite USAID Funding Cuts, Kyrgyzstan Plans to Reintroduce Goitered Gazelle at Issyk-Kul

Water Access

Opinion – Central Asia’s Looming Water Crisis: A Ticking Time Bomb

Environment

Kazakhstan and France Join Forces to Save Lake Balkhash

Ecology

Ecologists Warn Central Asian Dams May Threaten UNESCO Heritage Site

Green Future

Central Asia’s Green Energy Dream: Too Big to Achieve?

Although most Central Asian nations are heavily dependent on fossil fuel production and exports, they are aiming to significantly increase the use of renewable energy, hoping to eventually become crucial suppliers of so-called green electricity to Europe. Achieving such an ambitious goal will be easier said than done, given that developing the green energy sector in the region requires massive investment. What Central Asian states – struggling to attract long-term private capital into clean energy projects – need is financing for projects that modernize power networks, improve grid stability, and enable cross-border electricity flows. These upgrades are essential for large-scale...

Remembrance Day

UN Backs Earthquake Victims Day, Highlighting Uzbekistan’s Seismic History

On April 29, the United Nations General Assembly officially declared a new international observance — the International Day in Memory of the Victims of Earthquakes. The initiative, jointly proposed by Chile, the Philippines, and Uzbekistan, received widespread support from UN member states. The day will be commemorated annually to honor the victims of past earthquakes and raise awareness about seismic risks and disaster preparedness. Earthquakes remain among the deadliest natural disasters in human history, responsible for massive destruction and loss of life. Most recently, on March 28, a powerful earthquake in Myanmar claimed more than 3,700 lives. In Turkey and Syria,...

Environment

UN Adopts Uzbekistan’s Initiative on Global Forest Restoration

The United Nations General Assembly has adopted a resolution put forward by Uzbekistan to declare 2027-2036 as the Decade for Afforestation and Reforestation. The announcement was made in a statement by Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Titled “The Decade of Action for Sustainable Forest Management, Afforestation, and Reforestation”, the resolution was passed during a session in New York and garnered the support of over 80 co-sponsoring nations. Among them were all Central Asian countries, as well as Azerbaijan, Russia, Brazil, Austria, Germany, Finland, Portugal, India, Iran, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Bahrain. According to the Foreign Ministry, the...

Water

Water Level in Lake Balkhash Steadily Rising

Over the past year, the water level in Lake Balkhash has risen by 0.12 meters, and the volume of water has increased by 2 billion cubic meters, according to Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation. Located 175 miles northwest of Almaty, Kazakhstan’s largest city, Lake Balkhash is the world’s fifteenth-largest lake. In May 2024, reports indicated that Balkhash’s water level had risen by 0.23 meters since the start of the year, largely due to increased rainfall and snowmelt floods during spring. Since the beginning of 2025, 3.8 billion cubic meters of water have been released from the Kapchagay reservoir...

Kazakhstan Signals Early Review of Oil Production Sharing Agreements

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Features

Features

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Sunkar Podcast

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Opinions

Opinions

Dr. Robert M. Cutler

Mohammad Suhail & A.X. Ravshanov

Dr. Robert M. Cutler

Business & Economy

Business & Economy

Kazakhstan Signals Early Review of Oil Production Sharing Agreements

After Securing Ukraine Agreement, U.S. Eyes Central Asia for Rare Earths

KazMunayGas Sees No Risk from Falling Oil Prices, Prepares for Market Fluctuations

Kazakhstan Braces for Economic Fallout from OPEC+ Output Hike

Kazakhstan Reduced Fish Exports Last Year

Local Politics

Local Politics

Kyrgyzstan to Unveil New Air Defense Systems at Military Parade

Ongoing DDoS Attack Disrupts Kazakhstan’s Digital Infrastructure

Kyrgyzstan Proposes Closure of All Rural Libraries

Kazakhstan to Fund Health Insurance for Over A Million Unemployed Citizens

Money Seized from Corrupt Kazakh Officials to Fund Water Pipelines

International Affairs

International Affairs

Drone Attacks Intensify Security Worries Over Moscow Anniversary Event

As War Rages at Home, Sudanese Student Leaves Kazakhstan for Uncertain Future

U.S. Cuts Funding for Uzbek Cotton Transparency Project

Uzbekistan Leads Repatriation of Deported Citizens from the U.S.

U.S. Deports Over 100 Central Asian Migrants on Uzbek Charter Flight