Opinion – Storm Clouds Over Kazakhstan: Oil Slump and Global Risks Threaten Economic Stability
The persistent decline in Brent crude prices is the latest sign of a looming 'perfect storm' for Kazakhstan’s economy, the largest in Central Asia. With the mining sector comprising nearly half of its GDP and oil as a cornerstone resource, the nation’s economic stability is facing a cascade of potential...
UN Calls on Turkmenistan to Probe Suspected Poisoning of Journalist Soltan Achilova
The UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, Mary Lawlor, has called on Turkmenistan to launch an independent investigation into alleged attempts to poison 75-year-old journalist and human rights activist Soltan Achilova and her family members. The appeal was published on the website of the Office of...
The Ruthless History of the Great Game in Central Asia
In the so-called New Great Game, Central Asia is no longer a mere backdrop; with its strategic location, massive oil and gas reserves, and newfound deposits of critical raw materials, it’s a key player. In stark contrast to events in the 19th century, this time, Central Asia finds itself courted...
Future Nostalgia: Alexander Ugay’s Parisian Debut at NIKA Projects
Have you ever had that feeling of “Future Nostalgia” - as Dua Lipa would put it – when looking at old sci-fi movies that were imagining a future that never came to pass? The fact that this future didn’t materialise might be as might be seen as both a blessing...
Balancing Secularism and Belief: Central Asia Grapples with Rising Islamization
Although the Central Asian republics officially uphold secular governance, they may be experiencing a subtle, creeping Islamization beneath the surface. While state-controlled media across the region maintain that religious movements are well-managed, occasional incidents suggest a growing divergence between official narratives and societal realities. One such incident recently drew attention...
Culture, Climate, and Clean Water: Summit Outlines New Efforts to Restore the Aral Sea Region
From April 4 to 6, the first Aral Culture Summit took place in Karakalpakstan, bringing together local and international scientists, artists, and activists. Their goal: to find creative ways to support the social and environmental recovery of the Aral Sea region. The summit is the first in a series of...
Why Europe Is Betting Big on Kazakhstan’s Future
On April 3, Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Samarkand, ahead of the Central Asia–European Union summit. Although the meeting was brief, it came at a key moment, bringing into focus a set of shared economic and technological priorities that both sides...
Mirziyoyev Champions a Flourishing Central Asia by Enhancing Collaboration With the European Union
The global landscape is transforming, driven by geopolitical instability, economic uncertainties, and climate-related challenges. These dynamics are fostering innovative forms of international collaboration. A notable example of this shift is the remarkable fourfold increase in trade between Central Asia and the European Union over the past seven years, culminating in...
Sunkar Podcast
Repatriating Islamic State Fighters and Families: Balancing Security and Humanity
