Azerbaijan Mulls Praise from Chechnya Two Months After Crash
Two months ago, an Azerbaijan Airlines plane crashed in Kazakhstan after – Azerbaijan says – it was accidentally hit by Russian ground fire in the Russian region of Chechnya. Now Chechnya’s leader says he wants to give an award to the surviving crew members, an announcement that initially angered some...
Cargo Spacecraft Heads for Space Station in First Baikonur Launch of 2025
Three tons of food, fuel and other supplies are on their way to the International Space Station after a Russian spacecraft lifted off on a Soyuz rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. It was the first launch from the space facility this year. The Roscosmos Progress MS-30 cargo spacecraft,...
Strategic Cooperation Between Turkey and Turkmenistan Gains Momentum
Turkey and Turkmenistan have accelerated their cooperation in recent years, advancing economic, energy, and diplomatic initiatives that underscore their shared cultural and strategic interests. Their deepening of bilateral ties reflects and expresses both broader regional dynamics and shifts in global energy geopolitics. As The Times of Central Asia reports, the...
Eagles, Heritage, and History: A Glimpse into Kazakhstan’s Ancient Art of Falconry
Inspired by TCA’s coverage of the 2024 World Nomad Games and the incredible showcase of falconry events, I reflected on a visit to the Sunkar Entertainment Complex near Almaty, Kazakhstan. Established during the Soviet era, the complex was originally designed as a mountain retreat for workers, featuring saunas, horseback riding,...
Obituary – Young Uzbek Reporter Loved Journalism, but Grew Frustrated: “There’s No Point Anymore.”
Alisher Ruziokhunov, an Uzbek journalist who had worked for Kun.uz and other online news organizations in Uzbekistan, has died of an illness in his early 30s, according to several outlets that used to employ him. In a tribute, a former colleague said Ruziokhunov drifted away from journalism in recent years...
Kazakhstan’s Rare Earth Ambitions Hindered by Investment and Control Challenges
Kazakhstan holds significant reserves of rare metals and rare earth elements, sometimes referred to as the "new oil" due to their increasing importance in global industries. However, experts say the country remains far from becoming a major supplier, as geopolitical tensions and a lack of large-scale investment continue to hinder...
A Blow to the CPC: Geopolitical Intrigue Surrounding the Pipeline
More than a week has passed since Ukrainian drones attacked the Kropotkinskaya oil refinery, part of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) system. However, the incident remains a topic of heated debate in Kazakhstan. What Happened? On February 17, the Kropotkinskaya oil pumping station, located in Kavkazsky district, Krasnodar Krai, was...
Uzbekistan Sees Opportunities in Afghanistan
Uzbekistan’s business relations with neighboring Afghanistan are booming. In 2024, Uzbek-Afghan trade came to some $1.1 billion, and more than $1 billion of that was Uzbek exports to Afghanistan. It seems after the February 22-23 visit of Taliban acting Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Abdul Ghani Baradar to Uzbekistan,...
Sunkar Podcast
Repatriating Islamic State Fighters and Families: Balancing Security and Humanity
