Kyrgyzstan Faces Elite Realignment as Tashiyev Network Comes Under Pressure
In the last week, political tensions in Kyrgyzstan have risen following the arrest of Shairbek Tashiyev, the brother of Kamchybek Tashiyev, the former head of the State Committee for National Security (GKNB). Shairbek, a former member of the Jogorku Kenesh, Kyrgyzstan’s parliament, was detained on April 1 following questioning at...
Kazakhstan Pushes to Unlock Private Investment as IFC Backs Reform Drive
Kazakhstan is positioning itself as a more attractive destination for private investment, as authorities push to expand infrastructure, improve access to capital, and strengthen its role along key Eurasian trade routes. In an interview with The Times of Central Asia, Lisa Kaestner, the new Regional Director for Türkiye, Kazakhstan, and...
Big Names in Chess Praise Sindarov, Now Candidates Frontrunner
The chess world knew Javokhir Sindarov was dangerous heading into the FIDE Candidates Tournament this year, even though he was making his debut at the prestigious event and, at 20 years old, is the youngest of the eight elite contenders. But few people expected the Uzbekistani phenomenon to tear through...
The Iran War Is Repricing Central Asia’s Connectivity
Europe’s aviation regulator has extended its current conflict-zone bulletin for the Middle East and Persian Gulf through April 10 and continues to advise operators to avoid Iranian and adjacent airspace at all altitudes. Reuters reported soon after that the squeeze on normal flight paths was pushing more traffic into narrower...
Uzbekistan’s Cotton Sector: Focus Shifts to Farmers as Dialogue Continues
The Times of Central Asia previously published an interview with Komoliddin Ikromov, head of the Agribusiness Association, addressing recent land disputes, legal processes, and ongoing reforms in Uzbekistan’s agricultural sector. In a separate conversation, Umida Niyazova, founder of the Uzbek Forum for Human Rights, has offered an additional perspective, focusing...
Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister: Astana and Kyiv Seeking to Restore Trade
Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister, Olexandr Mishchenko, discussed prospects for trade and economic cooperation, including the possible resumption of the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation, during a meeting on April 2 with Serik Zhumangarin, Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the National Economy. In comments to The Times...
Kyrgyzstan Weighs Nuclear Power as Rosatom Talks Advance
Kyrgyzstan is still in talks with Russia’s state-owned nuclear power company Rosatom about building a nuclear power plant (NPP) in Kyrgyzstan. But on March 3, Kyrgyz Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, Daniyar Amangeldiyev, was already speaking about conducting a national referendum on the construction of a nuclear power...
Pannier and Hillard’s Spotlight on Central Asia: New Episode Out Now
As Managing Editor of The Times of Central Asia, I’m delighted that, in partnership with the Oxus Society for Central Asian Affairs, from October 19, we are the home of the Spotlight on Central Asia podcast. Chaired by seasoned broadcasters Bruce Pannier of RFE/RL’s long-running Majlis podcast and Michael Hillard...
Arrests, Agreements and the Afghanistan-Pakistan Conflict
Sunkar Podcast
Central Asia and the Troubled Southern Route
