28 Jun 2024

@Focus

Central Asia, Uzbekistan, International Affairs, Uzbekistan International Affairs

Investigation into ISIS-linked Group Smuggling Uzbek Migrants into the U.S.

The US Department of Homeland Security is investigating a cross-border group that smuggled more than 400 migrants into the country in connection with ISIS, CNN reported.

Officials said the group claimed it was smuggling migrants into the country, not terrorists. However, another criminal organization related to this group was “blacklisted” last summer due to its links with ISIS. This led to all those associated being added to the list of suspects.

It has been confirmed that the group being investigated for its ties to ISIS, brought more than 400 people to the United States. The majority were citizens of Central Asia, and particularly, Uzbekistan.

In a press report issued on June 26, Secretary of Internal Security of the United States, Alejandro Mayorkas stated that no evidence had been found regarding connections between the 400 migrants and ISIS. However, it was noted that the group that brought them into the country may have provided indirect support to the terrorist organization.

Over the past month, the United States has intensified checks on immigrants from Central Asian countries such as Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. In recent raids, eight citizens of Tajikistan were arrested on suspicion of being connected to terrorist groups. The state leadership has been tasked to determine whether citizens of Uzbekistan are associated with criminal groups.

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28 Jun 2024

@iStock

Central Asia, International Affairs

Russia Sends Some 10,000 Migrants to War in Ukraine

During recent raids, over 30,000 people who have obtained Russian citizenship but do not want to join the military register were identified.  Some 10,000 were then sent to fight in Ukraine , announced head of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation, Alexander Bastrykin.

“A year ago, I instructed our divisions to create groups on the ground to work with migrants. We actively participate in raids together with other law enforcers. We – discovered, by chance, a loophole through which – migrants began to leave the Russian Federation slowly,” stated Bastrykin. “The issue here is the implementation of the Constitution and Russian laws that requires anyone granted citizenship to register for military service and, if necessary, take part in a military operation.”

Bastrykin added that migrants who have obtained Russian citizenship “are now joining the ranks of rear units.”

According to experts, the bulk of the migrants sent to fight in Ukraine hail from Central Asia.

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28 Jun 2024

@TRC

Central Asia, Turkmenistan International Affairs, Turkmenistan, Turkmenistan Business & Economy, Business & Economy

Turkmenistan Strengthens Cooperation with Japanese Investors

As reported by TDH, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, chairman of the Khalk Maslakhaty of Turkmenistan, recently engaged in a meeting with representatives of Japan’s Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd., including Senior Strategic Advisor Tatsuya Watanabe and Executive Director Kenji Sanada.

During the meeting,  Japan’s role as an important strategic partner for Turkmenistan in the Asia-Pacific region was noted, with particular regard to bilateral cooperation between the two countries and within the framework of international organizations, including the UN.

A long-term partnership has been established with Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd., and several major projects have been implemented, including a plant for producing gasoline from natural gas in Ovadandepe, a urea plant in Mary province, and the Keliati cement plant.

New opportunities for cooperation were discussed alongside Turkmenistan’s plans to produce and process natural gas. The importance of using advanced technologies and observing environmental standards in the implementation of projects was emphasized.

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28 Jun 2024

@Ht.kz

Central Asia, International Affairs, Business & Economy

U.S. Seeks Alternative Routes for Central Asia’s Exports

According to reports, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs James O’Brien stated to the House Foreign Affairs Committee,  that the United States wants to ensure that items exported from Central Asia go through routes that exclude Russia and China. One such route is through Azerbaijan.
“This applies to the entire Central Asian region; all of these countries’ exports to world markets currently go through China and Russia. For a workaround, they need to cooperate with Azerbaijan,” commented O’Brien, regarding goals of his upcoming trip to Baku.

“One route goes through Georgia to the Black Sea, but another, potentially larger, would go through Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Turkey.” In order to orchestrate such, the diplomat explained, “we need a peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia.”

O’Brien added that the U.S. supports the conclusion of a peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

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28 Jun 2024

@hronika.tm

Central Asia, Turkmenistan, Turkmenistan International Affairs, International Affairs, Turkmenistan Business & Economy, Business & Economy

Turkmenistan to Increase Border Crossing Limit from Afghanistan to 120 Trucks Daily

Bakhtar News reported on June 26 that Turkmenistan is ready to increase the number of commercial cargo trucks passing through the border between Serkhetabad and Torgundi from Afghanistan to 120 per day. This issue was discussed at a meeting between the Consul General of Turkmenistan in Afghanistan, Batur Yulov, and the Governor of Herat Province, Sheikh Mawlana Noor Ahmad Islamjar. Consul General Yulov also reported that Turkmenistan has completed repair work at the Noor Jihad substation to increase the volume of electricity exported to Afghanistan.

In turn, Mawlana Noor Ahmad Islamjar once again called for acceleration of the construction of the TAPI gas pipeline, as well as organizing a meeting with the participation of the transport departments of Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan to discuss the resumption of the China-Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan route. The governor of Herat also asked that the procedure for issuing visas to Afghan traders who are transporting fresh and dried fruits to Turkmenistan be simplified.

In February 2024, the chairman of the Halk Maslahaty (People’s Council), Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, promised to simplify the issuance of visas to Afghan businessmen and transport workers in a meeting with the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan, Amirkhan Muttaki.

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28 Jun 2024

photo: US Embassy in Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan, Kyrgyzstan Life & Culture, Kyrgyzstan Business & Economy

Largest Makerspace Opens in Kyrgyzstan with U.S. Support

The Makerspace Learning and Design Centre, part-funded by the U.S. government, opened at the American University of Central Asia (AUCA) in Bishkek on June 24.

As reported by the U.S. Embassy in Kyrgyzstan, the U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) American Schools and Hospitals Abroad initiative, Bard College, and American University of Central Asia funded the centre’s construction.

The Makerspace is a creative space equipped with high-tech equipment, including 3D printers, laser cutters, robotics kits, and sewing equipment. Open to AUCA students as well as scientists, engineers, entrepreneurs, and developers, the centre will provide facilities for users to network, learn, exchange ideas, create prototypes, and attract investors.

In his speech at the opening ceremony, Akylbek Japarov, Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic, announced: “Makerspace is a place where technologies become accessible to everyone, and innovative projects become reality. There are many creative and progressive people in Kyrgyzstan who urgently need opportunities offered by the space to realize their potential and benefit society.”

USAID/Kyrgyz Republic Mission Director Kaya Adams praised the new facility saying, “We are especially proud of our partnership with the American University of Central Asia. This new building will strengthen AUCA’s international, diverse learning community and multidisciplinary learning approach. It will bring together creative thinkers of differing nationalities, ethnicities, gender, and professional backgrounds, including people with disabilities, to forge innovative solutions.”

 

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