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Deputy Akim of Shymkent Shot and Wounded

In the Wake of Bishimbayev: From Politicians to Felons – Part One

Features

Disinformation

Kazakhstan Targets Anonymous Telegram Channels Over Disinformation Concerns

Ecology

Ecologists Warn Central Asian Dams May Threaten UNESCO Heritage Site

Nationalism

Leonid Slutsky: Scandals, Nationalism, and the Migrant Blame Game

Oil Market

Kazakhstan Weighs OPEC+ Exit, Raising Fears of Global Oil Price War

Foreign Affairs

Lavrov in Uzbekistan: Criticism, Controversy, and Clashing Narratives

Counterterrorism

Tajikistan Launches Program to Reintegrate Convicted Extremists into Society

Multi-vector Foreign Policy

How Tokayev’s Kazakhstan Bridges Global Powers

Kyrgyz Art

Altynai Osmo’s New Show in New York: Restoring Female Narratives

Sunkar Podcast

Repatriating Islamic State Fighters and Families: Balancing Security and Humanity

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Opinions

Business & Economy

Oil Market

Kazakhstan Weighs OPEC+ Exit, Raising Fears of Global Oil Price War

Kazakhstan is reportedly considering a reassessment of its participation in the OPEC+ alliance, raising concerns among major global oil market players, according to Reuters. Reuters columnist Ron Bousso Thomson noted that recent statements from Kazakhstan’s new Minister of Energy, Yerlan Akkenzhenov, emphasized prioritizing national interests over adhering to the cartel's production quotas. In an interview with Reuters, Akkenzhenov said, "Kazakhstan will proceed from its own interests in determining production volumes". Such rhetoric may signal Kazakhstan's de facto refusal to comply with OPEC+ quotas and could mark the first step toward a formal withdrawal from the alliance, which is led by...

Mining

Kazakhstan Begins Mineral Exploration in Afghanistan’s Nuristan Province

Agriculture

Kyrgyzstan Exports Over 8 Million Eggs to Kazakhstan Amid Shifting Trade Policies

Investments

Uzbekistan Attracts Over $8.7 Billion in Foreign Investment in First Quarter of 2025

TCA Interviews

Dr. Atakan Varol: Kazakhstan Should Play an Active Role in Shaping the Future of AI

Banking

Kyrgyz Bank Launches Loan Self-Limitation to Fight Fraud and Boost Cybersecurity

For the first time in Kyrgyzstan’s financial market, a state-owned bank has introduced a self-limitation service on loans, aiming to strengthen cybersecurity and protect citizens from financial fraud. A New Step Toward Cybersecurity According to the Union of Banks of Kyrgyzstan, Eldik Bank, a state-owned institution, has launched a digital self-limitation service for its clients. The bank believes the mechanism could significantly enhance cybersecurity across the entire banking sector, especially if commercial and other state banks adopt the initiative as well. Earlier, the National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic (NBKR) had started examining international experiences regarding self-prohibition of online loans...

Banking

Kazakhstan’s Central Bank Governor: Navigating the “New Global Map”

Gov. Timur Suleimenov of the National Bank of Kazakhstan spoke about U.S. tariffs, financial uncertainty, reforms and declining oil prices on Wednesday at the spring meetings in Washington of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund. Here are some of Suleimenov’s key comments in a conversation with Jihad Azour, director of the IMF’s Middle East and Central Asia department: Consumer lending and regulation in Kazakhstan: Due to advances in digitizing financial services, Suleimenov said, “consumer lending became easy for the banks because they're all interlinked to the government databases, they have developed their own databases. So checking a consumer,...

Bilateral Trade

Russia and Tajikistan to Open Joint Industrial Park by 2030

Russia and Tajikistan are planning to establish a joint industrial park in Tajikistan by 2030, in a move aimed at significantly boosting bilateral trade. The announcement was made by the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade in a recent statement. The industrial park, to be built in Tajikistan and managed by the Russian side, is designed to facilitate the entry of more Russian industrial companies into the local market. According to officials, the project seeks to increase trade between the two countries by 2.5 times within the next five years. The initiative is part of Russia’s national project on international...

Eco-Friendly Production

Turkmenistan Launches Eco-Friendly Stone Paper Production

Turkmenistan has inaugurated its first-ever production of environmentally friendly stone paper, marking a milestone in the country’s industrial development. The initiative was launched in Ak Bugday etrap of Ahal province by the Derýa Ýoly Economic Society under the Ekoston brand. The facility has an annual production capacity of 5,500 tons. The company’s products attracted significant attention at an exhibition commemorating the 17th anniversary of the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan. Stone paper is noted for its eco-friendliness, high durability, and broad range of applications. Manufactured from calcite and polymers without the use of toxic plasticizers, the production process...

Local Politics

Disinformation

Kazakhstan Targets Anonymous Telegram Channels Over Disinformation Concerns

Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Culture and Information has launched a vocal campaign against anonymous Telegram channels, accusing them of fueling misinformation and destabilizing public discourse. Minister Aida Balayeva has called for stricter controls and accountability from both platform administrators and users. Breeding Grounds for Misinformation Minister Aida Balayeva described anonymous Telegram channels as “breeding grounds for lies,” arguing that their content undermines public stability and trust. Balayeva accused their operators of systematically disseminating fake news and orchestrating provocations designed to manipulate public opinion. The ministry, she said, is pursuing legal mechanisms to identify and block such platforms. “Our clear position is...

Extremism

Tokayev Warns of Rising Extremism and Erosion of Global Norms at Assembly Speech

Nationalism

Ultra-Nationalist Russian Lawmaker Sets Sights on Uzbek Community Leader

Identity

Only Turkmen Names Allowed

Politics

Kyrgyzstan Sets Date for 2027 Presidential Election

Resettlement

Kandas Resettlement Rises as Kazakhstan Boosts Integration Efforts

Since the beginning of 2025, 3,203 ethnic Kazakhs have returned to their historical homeland and officially received received the status of Kandas. In total, since gaining independence in 1991, more than 1.15 million ethnic Kazakhs have resettled in Kazakhstan for permanent residence. The Times of Central Asia examines who today’s Kandas are and how their integration and resettlement are being managed. Geography of Return According to the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, nearly half (48.1%) of all Kandas arriving in Kazakhstan in 2025 have come from China. This is followed by ethnic Kazakhs from Uzbekistan (39.5%), Turkmenistan (5.8%), Mongolia...

Military

Kyrgyz Special Forces Showcase Combat Drone Capabilities in Anti-Terror Exercise

Kyrgyzstan’s elite State Committee for National Security (GKNB) special forces unit, Alpha, demonstrated advanced combat capabilities during the Asman Kozomolu 2025 anti-terrorist exercises, held to enhance operational readiness in modern warfare scenarios. According to the GKNB, the drills featured the use of cutting-edge weaponry, including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), first-person view (FPV) drones, and robotic ground systems. The exercises aimed to sharpen the operational skills of personnel in deploying modern combat technologies under conditions simulating real combat. “In conditions close to combat, critical capabilities of modern combat robotics and UAVs were demonstrated, along with the process of manufacturing FPV drones,”...

Ecology

Kyrgyz-Chinese Initiative to Establish Large-Scale Tree Nursery in Bishkek

Chinese partners from the city of Qingdao are working with the Bishkek municipality to establish a major nursery for tree and shrub saplings, aimed at greening the Kyrgyz capital. The initiative is part of a broader environmental restoration effort and represents a significant step toward improving the city’s ecological conditions. Over the weekend, Bishkek Mayor Aibek Junushaliyev visited the site of the future nursery, where more than 12,300 tree saplings and 9,000 shrubs have already been experimentally planted across five hectares. According to city officials, the total area of the nursery is expected to eventually span approximately 100 hectares. Initial...

Industrial Hemp

Kazakhstan to Permit Industrial Hemp Cultivation

Kazakhstan will legalize the cultivation of industrial hemp, with the measure already approved by the Mazhilis, the lower house of parliament. The provision is part of a draft law aimed at eliminating unnecessary regulation of internal affairs bodies. Vice Minister of Internal Affairs Sanzhar Adilov confirmed the development during a parliamentary session. According to Adilov, the Ministry of Internal Affairs has already issued four licenses for the cultivation of technical cannabis. The new regulation is designed to enable the use of industrial hemp in manufacturing sectors such as paper, textiles, and construction materials. Industrial Use, Not for Intoxication During discussions...

International Affairs

Nationalism

Leonid Slutsky: Scandals, Nationalism, and the Migrant Blame Game

The leader of Russia’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDPR), Leonid Slutsky has long been a figure surrounded by controversy. A hardline nationalist, Slutsky’s career has been marked by allegations of corruption and harassment. Recently, his intensified rhetoric against labor migrants – including proposed restrictions on labor migrants bringing their families into the country, a requirement for foreign workers to learn Russian, and attacks on the former head of the Uzbek National and Cultural Autonomy Council in Moscow - have further spotlighted his controversial political career. “Our people... should not suffer from boors and criminals who consider themselves masters here, gather in...

Railway Development

Uzbekistan and Russia Advance Trans-Afghan Railway Project to Pakistan

Pope Francis

Meloni Postpones Central Asia Trip After Pope Dies

Migration

Kyrgyzstan Seeks to Expand Labor Quotas for Work in the UK

Pope Francis

Pope Francis Championed Central Asia’s Role in Promoting Peace in a Multicultural Region

Foreign Affairs

Lavrov in Uzbekistan: Criticism, Controversy, and Clashing Narratives

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s official visit to Uzbekistan this week has triggered significant public and political responses, particularly after remarks he made during a visit to the Motamsaro Ona (Grieving Mother) memorial in Samarkand. While at the memorial, which honors Uzbek soldiers who died during World War II and features inscriptions in Uzbek and English, Lavrov pointed out the absence of a Russian-language text. “There is an inscription in English, but I didn’t see one in Russian. A mother is the most sacred figure,” Lavrov reportedly told his tour guide, according to TASS. Uzbekistan’s Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov was...

Multi-vector Foreign Policy

How Tokayev’s Kazakhstan Bridges Global Powers

Amid the ongoing reshaping of the global order, Kazakhstan is seeking to enhance its role as an emerging middle power. Preserving strong relations with all key geopolitical actors, strengthening its position as a de facto leader in Central Asia, and developing closer ties with other influential states on the world stage appear to be Astana’s top foreign policy priorities. The largest Central Asian state is one of the few countries that maintains good relations with geopolitical rivals such as China and the United States, as well as Russia and the European Union. At the same time, Astana is actively developing...

Foreign Affairs

Turkmenistan Steps into the Spotlight with Regional Diplomacy and Economic Reforms

Long known for its isolationist policies, Turkmenistan is gradually opening up to the international community through significant economic and diplomatic initiatives. Recent efforts include diversifying its natural gas exports, engaging in regional infrastructure projects such as the TAPI gas pipeline, and expanding trade partnerships. Additionally, the government has taken steps toward modernization and economic reforms to attract foreign investment, signaling a shift towards enhanced regional cooperation and global integration. This week, these initiatives gathered pace, as Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, continued his diplomatic tour of Central Asia with official visits to Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. Berdimuhamedov's...

Higher Education

Moscow’s MGIMO University to Open Branch in Astana

The Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO), one of Russia’s most prestigious universities and the flagship institution of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will open a branch in Astana in September 2025, according to Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Science and Higher Education. The Astana branch, known as MGIMO-Astana, will initially offer two undergraduate programs: World Mineral Resources and Energy Markets and Analysis and Modeling of Socioeconomic and Business Processes. Two master’s degree programs will also be available: Financial Economics and Financial Technologies and Multilateral Institutions and Management of Global Technological Development. Applicants will have the opportunity to apply for...

Life & Culture

Sport

Kyrgyzstan Prepares for First-Ever Ultramarathon Around Lake Issyk-Kul

Kyrgyzstan is set to host its first-ever ultramarathon around Issyk-Kul Lake, one of the world’s largest high-altitude lakes, between May 5 and 10. The event, titled the 1st Issyk Kul Six-Day Challenge, is billed as the world’s longest six-stage foot race, covering a total distance of 460 kilometers. The ultramarathon will take place over six days and six grueling stages: 90 km, 74 km, 87 km, 85 km, 79 km, and 45 km. Participants will race on a mix of asphalt, gravel roads, and dirt trails at elevations reaching up to 2,000 meters above sea level. Participation is capped at...

Cinema

Kazakhstan’s Cinema Sees Record Growth in Attendance and Revenue

Art and Literature

Adventures of the Spirit of Time: Exploring History and Imagination Through Silk Road Legends

Family

Half of Marriages in Kazakhstan End in Divorce; Deputies Propose State Alimony Fund

Sports

Two Participants Die During Half Marathon in Almaty

Kyrgyz Art

Altynai Osmo’s New Show in New York: Restoring Female Narratives

In the heart of Tribeca in New York, the Sapar Contemporary Art Gallery has launched a new exhibition, Beneath the Earth and Above the Clouds, which brings Central Asian narratives to the forefront. This dual show – which runs until May 15, 2025 - features Altynai Osmo and Aya Shalkar, two artists who have been devoted to exploring female narratives in the region, and do this through works that are both steeped into tradition, and modern and vibrant at the same time. The Times of Central Asia spoke with Altynai Osmo, a multimedia artist from Kyrgyzstan whose work weaves the...

Vaccination

Meet the Kyrgyz Woman Behind the Vaccine Revolution

COVID-19 exposed numerous challenges humanity has yet to address, with one of them being directly related to tackling potential future pandemics. A key aspect of this is vaccines, which have to be transported in refrigerated units. This allows them to maintain their effectiveness and safety, the so-called "cold chain infrastructure" saving them from becoming unusable. This complex transportation requirement, however, results in millions of people missing out on potentially life-saving vaccines. But does it have to be this complicated? “Motherhood changes people, irreversibly. For me it was not just becoming a parent, but it also influenced the direction of my...

Science

Kazakhstan’s Institute of Nuclear Physics Launches Advances in Nuclear Science and Applications Journal

Kazakhstan’s Institute of Nuclear Physics has officially launched a new international scientific journal, Advances in Nuclear Science and Applications. The presentation of the first issue took place at the Institute’s headquarters and marks a significant step in the country's efforts to promote nuclear research and academic exchange on a global scale. According to the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, the journal is designed as a high-level international platform that integrates both fundamental and applied research in nuclear science and technology. It aims to foster open knowledge exchange and collaboration across borders. The inaugural issue, published in March 2025, features...

Gender Equality

Video: Challenging Gender Stereotypes in Modern Kazakhstan

From factory workers to female boxing champions and long-distance lorry drivers, The Times of Central Asia explores the growing challenges to long-held gender stereotypes in modern Kazakhstan, as women feel more emboldened than ever to follow their dreams. [video src="https://timesca.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/%D0%93%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%B4%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%BD%D1%8B%D0%B5%20%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%BE%D1%82%D0%B8%D0%BF%D1%8B.mp4" /] This video was made by UNFPA Kazakhstan with the financial support of the UK Government. All views expressed in the video do not reflect the official position of UNFPA or the UK Government.

Justice

Assassination Attempt

Shadows of Power: Assassination Attempt Exposes Kazakhstan’s Turbulent Past

The assassination attempt on the deputy akim (head of the local government) in Shymkent, Kazakhstan’s third-largest city with a population exceeding one million, has drawn intense public attention. Shymkent, designated a city of republican significance, rarely sees violence of this nature targeting high-ranking officials. Ruslan Berdenov, the official in question, was wounded by shotgun fire from a smoothbore weapon on the steps of the city administration building, which struck him in the thigh and the shoulder. The attack appears less like a calculated contract killing and more like an act of personal retribution. Despite its entrenched presence in Russian criminal...

UAE

Lawyers Challenge Death Sentences of Uzbeks Convicted of UAE Rabbi Murder

Oil and Gas

Opinion – Tokayev Moves to Reclaim Kazakhstan’s Energy Future

Murder Trial

Open Wounds: Why a Murder Trial in Talgar Has Gripped Kazakhstan

Financial Investigation

Swiss Bank Investigated Over Ties to Central Asian Elites

Counterterrorism

Tajikistan Launches Program to Reintegrate Convicted Extremists into Society

Tajik authorities have launched a state-backed program aimed at reintegrating citizens convicted of extremism and terrorism into peaceful civilian life. The initiative, which will run from 2025 to 2029, seeks to reduce the likelihood of re-engagement with radical movements and support the return of these individuals to society. New State Initiative: Goals and Budget According to official documents, the program is set to receive 38.5 million Tajikistani somoni (approximately $3.6 million) in funding. Nearly half of the funds will come from the state budget, with the remainder provided through international grants and extra-budgetary sources. The initiative includes a comprehensive set...

Journalists

Tajik Journalist Rukhshona Khakimova Transferred to Prison After Closed Treason Trial

Rukhshona Khakimova, a Tajik journalist convicted of treason, has been transferred from a detention center in Dushanbe to a correctional facility in Nurek. The relocation was confirmed by a relative on April 22, who reported being informed of the transfer when attempting to deliver a package to the journalist. Khakimova was sentenced to eight years in prison on February 5, 2025, following a closed-door trial. Her case is among several related to an alleged attempted coup. Despite the prosecution’s request for a 17-year sentence, the court handed down an eight-year term. The judge did not account for Khakimova's family circumstances;...

Assassination Attempt

Deputy Akim of Shymkent Shot and Wounded

On the evening of April 21, Ruslan Berdenov, Deputy Akim of Shymkent, was shot and wounded in an apparent assassination attempt near the city hall. The incident occurred under unclear circumstances and has sparked widespread public attention and speculation. Preliminary reports indicate that Berdenov was hit three times by a Saiga-12 shotgun. The suspect, who was detained at the scene, was confronted by Berdenov’s driver, who reportedly accelerated the vehicle to subdue the attacker. “The assailant waited near the Akimat and shot at close range when the official exited the building. The driver intervened by striking the shooter with the...

Low-cost airlines

Uzbek Student Accuses Wizz Air of Discrimination After Being Denied Boarding without Explanation

Earlier this year, Uzbekistan’s Competition Committee took action against Wizz Air following complaints about the airline’s failure to offer safety instructions in the Uzbek language on a flight from Samarkand to Abu Dhabi. Now, another troubling incident has come to light, this time, involving an Uzbek student who claims he was denied boarding without explanation, possibly due to his nationality. ------- Suhrob Ubaydullayev, a University of World Languages student in Uzbekistan, was returning home after completing a Work and Travel program in Europe. He had booked a Wizz Air flight from Rome to Abu Dhabi, with a connection onward to...

Environment

Ecology

Ecologists Warn Central Asian Dams May Threaten UNESCO Heritage Site

A coalition of international environmentalists is sounding the alarm over the impact of large-scale dam construction in Central Asia, warning that it could cause irreversible harm to the Western Tien Shan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site jointly shared by Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan. Dam Projects Multiply Across Region According to a recent report by the coalition Rivers Without Boundaries, dozens of new hydropower projects are either in development or under construction across the region. The group says this wave of dam-building poses a significant threat to the unique ecosystems and biodiversity of the Western Tien Shan, which was inscribed on...

Art and Culture

Kyrgyzstan’s UN Mission Opens Environmental Art Exhibition in New York

Ecology

South Korea Backs Forest Restoration in Kazakhstan’s Fire-Ravaged Abay Region

Earthquake

Seismic Cities: Is Central Asia Prepared for a Major Earthquake?

Environmental Initiative

Kyrgyzstan Launches $52 Million Environmental Initiative to Combat Natural Disasters

Water Conservation

EDB Chief Economist Outlines Central Asia’s Water Challenges and Proposes Solutions

Evgeny Vinokurov, Vice-Chairman and Chief Economist of the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB), presented a sobering assessment of Central Asia’s water and energy challenges at the Annual Meetings of the Association of Development Financing Institutions in Asia and the Pacific (ADFIAP) on April 23. The event, held in Muscat, Oman, featured a plenary session dedicated to sustainable water management and practical strategies for addressing mounting environmental pressures in the region. Shrinking Glaciers and Growing Demand Vinokurov unveiled findings from the EDB’s think tank research, which paint a stark picture: Central Asia’s glaciers have shrunk by 30% over the past 50 years,...

Rogun Dam

World Bank to Investigate Regional Risks of Rogun Dam Project

The World Bank’s Inspection Panel has agreed to review a formal complaint filed by residents of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan concerning the environmental and social risks associated with the Rogun Hydropower Project (HPP) in Tajikistan. The complaint, submitted by the regional environmental coalition Rivers Without Boundaries, targets a $350 million World Bank loan and related technical assistance used to revise the project’s 2014 environmental and social impact assessments. The complainants argue that the current studies are outdated and inadequate, relying on assumptions that are more than a decade old. They contend the assessments fail to account for the downstream effects of...

Environment

Caspian Sturgeon Population Declines 90% Amid Ecological Crisis

The sturgeon population in the Caspian Sea has plummeted by 90% over the past four decades, according to Sergei Ponomarev, a deputy of Kazakhstan’s Mazhilis (lower house of parliament). Speaking during a recent meeting of the Mazhilis Committee on Ecology, Ponomarev cited both the sea’s progressive shallowing and escalating environmental degradation caused by human activity as key contributors to the decline. He emphasized that oil production and significant volumes of untreated domestic and industrial waste are the primary sources of pollution in the Caspian Sea. “Oil extraction suppresses the development of phytobenthos and phytoplankton, while sewage discharges have transformed the...

Snow Leopard

Kyrgyzstan Establishes Ecological Corridor to Protect Snow Leopards and Biodiversity

Kyrgyzstan has created the Ak Ilbirs (Snow Leopard) Ecological Corridor in the northeastern Issyk-Kul region, a major step in safeguarding rare wildlife and preserving the country’s rich biodiversity. The corridor encompasses over 792,000 hectares, linking several protected areas: the Khan-Tengri State Nature Park, the Sarychat-Eertash Nature Reserve, and the Naryn Nature Reserve. It is designed to serve as a safe habitat for the snow leopard and other endangered species, while promoting the sustainable management of natural resources. [caption id="attachment_30972" align="aligncenter" width="794"] Image: mnr.gov.kg[/caption] Key Objectives The Ak Ilbirs Ecological Corridor aims to: Conserve wild animal populations, including the endangered snow...

Shadows of Power: Assassination Attempt Exposes Kazakhstan’s Turbulent Past

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Features

Features

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Sunkar Podcast

Sunkar Podcast

Opinions

Opinions

Dr. Robert M. Cutler

Dr. Robert M. Cutler

Mohammad Suhail & A.X. Ravshanov

Business & Economy

Business & Economy

Kazakhstan Weighs OPEC+ Exit, Raising Fears of Global Oil Price War

Kyrgyz Bank Launches Loan Self-Limitation to Fight Fraud and Boost Cybersecurity

Kazakhstan’s Central Bank Governor: Navigating the “New Global Map”

Russia and Tajikistan to Open Joint Industrial Park by 2030

Turkmenistan Launches Eco-Friendly Stone Paper Production

Local Politics

Local Politics

Kazakhstan Targets Anonymous Telegram Channels Over Disinformation Concerns

Kandas Resettlement Rises as Kazakhstan Boosts Integration Efforts

Kyrgyz Special Forces Showcase Combat Drone Capabilities in Anti-Terror Exercise

Kyrgyz-Chinese Initiative to Establish Large-Scale Tree Nursery in Bishkek

Kazakhstan to Permit Industrial Hemp Cultivation

International Affairs

International Affairs

Leonid Slutsky: Scandals, Nationalism, and the Migrant Blame Game

Lavrov in Uzbekistan: Criticism, Controversy, and Clashing Narratives

How Tokayev’s Kazakhstan Bridges Global Powers

Turkmenistan Steps into the Spotlight with Regional Diplomacy and Economic Reforms

Moscow’s MGIMO University to Open Branch in Astana