Page 69 – The Times Of Central Asia

16 Feb 2026

Central Asia and Azerbaijan on Board as the Gaza Peace Effort Gets Underway

February 20, 2026
By Times of Central Asia

As the Trump Administration is trying to drag the world toward the reconstruction of Gaza, an undertaking fraught with security, political, and economic challenges, a gap is emerging between the “old” Europe, skeptical of Trump, and nation-states seeking to expand cooperation with Washington. Central Asian and Caucasian “middle powers” are among the emerging allies in the Trump Administration’s latest diplomatic gambit for peace.

Kazakhstan took a leadership position as the first Muslim-majority state outside the Middle East to join the Abraham Accords in November 2025. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, an experienced diplomat, former Foreign Minister, and high-level U.N. official, represented his country at the Board of Peace inauguration during the January 2026 session of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. So did Ilham Aliev, President of Azerbaijan, and his First Lady and First Vice President, Mehriban, both of whom met with Trump in Davos.

The attendance and participation of leaders of other majority-Muslim states outside the Middle East are also noteworthy. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan, Prabowo Subianto of Indonesia, Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu of Kosovo, and Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan signed the Charter on behalf of their respective nations.

Those who chose not to participate are equally noteworthy. France, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Portugal, Canada, and Australia, which publicly announced or reaffirmed recognition of a State of Palestine around the U.N. General Assembly in September 2025, each determined not to attend the signing ceremony at Davos, despite the fact that the establishment of the Board was officially welcomed by the UN Security Council in November 2025. This underscores the challenges that will arise as Trump’s Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict enters its second phase, which foresees Hamas’ disarmament.

Similarly, differences in policy toward Israel among the Muslim-majority countries that signed the Charter speak to the complexity of the Board’s task. Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Azerbaijan have longstanding diplomatic and trade relations with Israel. This contrasts with the complex and often hostile stances of Qatar, long ruled by the Al Thani family, and Turkey under Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, both of which support the Muslim Brotherhood and shelter Hamas terrorists.

Then there are countries like Indonesia and Pakistan, which have never had diplomatic relations with Israel. Indonesia, under Subianto, continues to condition recognition of Israel on the creation of a Palestinian state. Pakistan has been officially hostile since its founding, and is particularly fearful of Jerusalem’s increasingly close relations with India, though it does have a history of covert information sharing and unofficial cooperation. Once again, navigating the political agendas and moving the reconstruction project forward will require a multi-dimensional chess game.

Nevertheless, the Trump White House is working on the Board of Peace’s first meeting, set for February 19^th. Currently, there is no official word about whether the leaders of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan will attend, while other leaders plan to, such as President Aliyev, who just signed a Strategic Partnership Charter during a visit by U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance to Azerbaijan, and PM Nikol Pashinyan of Armenia, who also signed a $9 billion nuclear cooperation agreement with the U.S. during Vance’s visit.

Attendees will also include President Javier Milei of Argentina, PM Viktor Orban of Hungary, and President Subianto, whose country is reported to be readying 8,000 troops to deploy to Gaza to focus on medical and engineering roles. These troops are the first to be committed to the International Stabilization Force (ISF), led by Major General Jasper Jeffers, envisioned under the 20-point Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict.

Astana, Tashkent, and Baku are viewed as potential candidates to provide personnel for the ISF, although Azerbaijan earlier stated it would not do so.

What Happens in the Middle East Doesn’t Stay in the Middle East

The inclusion of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan in the Board of Peace marks a significant shift in the diplomatic landscape of Central Asia. With the future of the Iranian regime and the consequences of Russia’s war in Ukraine still unpredictable, one thing is clear. The world is in the throes of a systemic, prolonged, and fundamental geo-strategic change. Central Asia will be affected and is also seeking the ability to influence its pace and direction. While Russia and China remain powerful, nuclear-armed neighbors and business partners, this global transformation requires a good working relationship with the U.S.

Although the White House has made it clear that “boots on the ground” are out of the question in Iran for now, it has taken an assertive approach to developments in the Middle East and is increasingly involved in Central Asia and the South Caucasus after a lengthy period of low-profile, rather selective engagements, often dictated by external events, such as the war in Afghanistan. Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan, bordering troubled Iran, have a direct interest in deepening their ties with the U.S. to bolster their security, as evidenced by the recent visit to the “permanently neutral” country of Turkmenistan by U.S. Central Asia Special Envoy Sergio Gor and Secretary of the Army Daniel Driscoll.

Costs, Dangers, and Opportunities

While there is no cost to join the Board of Peace, countries that choose to become permanent members will reportedly pay $1 billion during the first year post the Charter. However, that pales in comparison with the estimated $70 billion needed to reconstitute Gaza, including the indispensable reconstruction of Gaza’s infrastructure, as discussed earlier.

Then there is the thorny question of what to do about Hamas, which is tightening its grip on the territory in Gaza it has left, while its leaders loudly proclaim that they refuse to leave or disarm.

As the February 19th meeting approaches, the world will be watching to see if the “high-wire act” held together by American willpower can compel the confidence, resources, and determination to bring a new dawn to Gaza and, through it, increased opportunities for those who came to the effort early, including in Central Asia and the South Caucasus.

14 Feb 2026

Central Asia, Home, Kazakhstan, Business & Economy, Kazakhstan Business & Economy, Kazakhstan Featurees, Kazakhstan Home

Kazakh Startup Higgsfield AI: From “Unicorn” to Racism and Sexism Scandal

February 24, 2026
By Tamila Olzhbaekova

In October 2025, the Kazakh startup Higgsfield AI officially joined the ranks of “unicorns” – companies valued at more than $1 billion. The rapid growth continued: by early 2026, the platform had surpassed 15 million users, and its annual revenue approached $200 million.

From the outset, the project targeted the international market. Although its headquarters is registered in San Francisco, Kazakh engineers play a significant role in its development, and the startup is a participant in the Astana Hub program.

For many observers, the emergence of the first Kazakh “unicorn” symbolized the country’s transition to a new stage of technological development, attracting the attention of global investors and stimulating the domestic IT sector.

However, the company’s rise was soon overshadowed by controversy. By early 2026, Higgsfield found itself at the center of an international scandal. Media reports and social media discussions cited allegations of aggressive advertising, opaque subscription practices, and, more worryingly, promotional content containing racist and sexist messages.

Approximately 85% of its users were marketers utilizing the service to create advertising videos, a factor that significantly contributed to its rapid scaling.

In Kazakhstan, the development was widely presented as a national achievement. However, questions soon emerged regarding the company’s business practices.

Shortly after achieving unicorn status, Higgsfield faced a wave of user complaints, primarily concerning subscriptions and refunds.

During major promotional campaigns, including “Black Friday” discounts of up to 65%, reducing the monthly price to $25, customers were promised unlimited access to advanced models. However, many users later reported a sharp decline in video generation speed after payment. According to these accounts, the application became difficult to use without purchasing additional credits, despite advertised “unlimited” access.

The company attributed the disruptions to bot attacks, stating that tens of thousands of fake accounts had been blocked, and that approximately $1.35 million had been refunded to legitimate users due to service issues.

In December 2024, the situation escalated when users reported widespread account suspensions without prior notice. The peak occurred on December 25-26, when clients with Russian IP addresses were reportedly restricted. Affected users lost not only access to paid services, but also the ability to download previously created content.

Initially, the company did not publicly comment. It later stated that the suspensions were linked to suspicious payment activity and anti-bot measures.

Additional criticism focused on alleged “dark patterns” in subscription management. Users claimed that payments were processed instantly, while subscription cancellation was difficult or technically inaccessible. On social media platforms, users compiled complaints alleging unfair practices, and warning others about what they described as a problematic business model.

Under mounting pressure, Higgsfield reinstated certain accounts and issued refunds.

Controversial Marketing: Racism and Sexism Allegations

Particular criticism targeted the company’s marketing strategy. In early 2026, reports emerged that Higgsfield’s marketing team had distributed ready-made promotional materials to content creators, including videos that allegedly contained racist and sexually explicit language inserted into the voices of well-known cartoon characters.

According to media reports, some clips included racially charged phrases and statements widely perceived as discriminatory. Critics also alleged that the company used deepfake technology to create content featuring well-known public figures, including actors Sydney Sweeney and Zendaya, as well as Donald Trump and Elon Musk, without authorization. Some of the content was described as sexualized.

Observers further argued that certain marketing materials reflected sexist undertones, relying on provocative imagery that many viewers considered degrading toward women.

Some commentators compared the strategy to “rage marketing,” a tactic based on deliberate provocation to generate attention. However, in Higgsfield’s case, critics argue that the international scale of distribution magnified reputational risks, potentially affecting perceptions of Kazakhstan’s technology sector abroad.

Amid intensifying criticism, co-founder Alexander Mashrabov publicly acknowledged operational shortcomings. In a statement on social media, he said that rapid scaling had created “real challenges” and “failures in internal processes,” adding: “Our internal processes and external communications did not always keep pace with our values, and we made mistakes. We take full responsibility and are actively correcting our course.”

Despite these assurances, the controversy has damaged Higgsfield’s reputation. Allegations concerning subscription practices, the use of deepfakes, and claims of racist and sexist content may complicate the company’s relationships with partners, regulators, and investors.

14 Feb 2026

Central Asia, Home, Life & Culture, Kazakhstan Life & Culture, Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan Home

Figure Skater Shaidorov Delivers Gold for Kazakhstan at Winter Olympics

February 14, 2026
By Times of Central Asia

Mikhail Shaidorov of Kazakhstan won his country’s first gold medal in figure skating at the Winter Olympics, while the favorite, Ilia Malinin of the United States, finished eighth after falling twice during his program.

Secured with five quadruple jumps, Shaidorov’s unexpected win in Italy on Friday also marked the first gold medal for Kazakhstan in any sport at a Winter Olympics since the games in Lillehammer, Norway in 1994. In those games, Vladimir Smirnov came first in cross-country skiing.

“To be honest, I still can’t believe it. I struggled with myself throughout the season. This season was very tough for me,” Shaidorov said in comments posted on the Telegram channel of Kazakhstan’s Olympic team. “In competitions, I tried about three times to perform five consecutive quadruple jumps, but none were successful. But today, everything went well. I was lucky and managed to do it.”

Shaidorov, 21, finished with a score of 291.58 in the men’s individual figure skating. Yuma Kagiyama and Shun Sato, both of Japan, won silver and bronze, with scores of 280.06 and 274.90, respectively.

“The support from the fans in the stands was especially felt. Everything felt like a movie,” the gold medalist said. “This medal is very important both for me and for our country. I want figure skating to develop in Kazakhstan. I will put all my effort into this. I hope conditions will be created and opportunities given to the youth.”

Shaidorov also paid tribute to Denis Ten, a Kazakhstani figure skater who won bronze at the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia in 2014 and was killed in an attempted robbery in Almaty in 2018. Ten was 25 years old.

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan congratulated Shaidorov, noting that sports fans and others at home are proud of his achievement.

“The Head of State decided to award Mikhail Shaidorov the Order of “Barys” II degree, and also expressed gratitude to the coaching staff, the Figure Skating Federation, and the leadership of the relevant ministry for their work,” the presidency said. The award that the skater will receive is one of Kazakhstan’s highest state honors.

Malinin, the two-time defending world champion, struggled through his program, causing the crowd to hush and gasp as it became apparent that he would not live up to expectations. Earlier in the games, Malinin helped the United States win a team gold medal with a performance that included a rare backflip. His Russia-born parents, Tatiana Malinina and Roman Skorniakov, skated at the elite level for Uzbekistan for many years.

Malinin and Shaidorov embraced after the final results of the individual contest. The American congratulated the Kazakhstani skater.

13 Feb 2026

Home, Kazakhstan Local Politics, Local Politics, Kazakhstan

Cost of Holding Referendum on Kazakhstan’s New Constitution Estimated at $42 Million

February 13, 2026
By Dmitry Pokidaev

The cost of holding a national referendum on the adoption of Kazakhstan’s new Constitution is preliminarily estimated at 20.8 billion tenge (KZT), or approximately $42 million at the current exchange rate. The figure was announced at a press conference by Mikhail Bortnik, a member of Kazakhstan’s Central Election Commission.

According to Bortnik, the estimate is currently under review by the Ministry of Finance, and the final amount will be approved at a later stage. These expenses are not included in the approved republican budget for 2026; funding is expected to be allocated from the government reserve.

Approximately 75% of the total sum is projected to be spent on remuneration for members of precinct election commissions involved in organizing and conducting the vote.

Another CEC representative, Azamat Aimanakumov, stated that 12,416,759 citizens will be eligible to participate in the referendum. A total of 10,413 polling stations will be opened. Of these, 9,779 will be located at voters’ places of registration, while 634 will operate at temporary places of residence, including 82 polling stations abroad in 64 countries.

Polling station commissions are scheduled to receive voter lists on February 22. Citizens will be notified of the time and place of voting between February 27 and March 4. Ballots are to be delivered to polling stations between March 12 and 14. March 14 has been designated a day of silence, during which campaigning is prohibited. Voting is scheduled for March 15, 2026.

CEC Deputy Chairman Mukhtar Erman said that invitations to observe the referendum have been sent to relevant organizations in more than 30 countries, including European and American states, leading Asian countries, and members of the Commonwealth of Independent States. Separate invitations to international organizations will be issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Accreditation of foreign observers will close on March 9.

The draft of the new Constitution has been published on the website of the Constitutional Court of Kazakhstan. Under Article 94 of the draft, if approved in the referendum, the new Basic Law will enter into force on July 1, 2026, and the current Constitution will cease to have effect on the same date.

The Times of Central Asia previously reported that work on the draft Constitution was being conducted on an accelerated timetable, after President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced a package of political reforms, including a proposal to transition to a unicameral parliament.

13 Feb 2026

Business & Economy, Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan Business & Economy

Kazakhstan to Provide Satellite Internet to Neighboring Countries via Starlink Stations

February 13, 2026
By Vagit Ismailov

Kazakhstan plans to use Starlink satellite communication ground stations located on its territory to transmit internet traffic to neighboring countries. The announcement was made by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry Zhaslan Madiev.

According to Madiev, the development of digital infrastructure is intended to meet domestic demand while also strengthening Kazakhstan’s position as a regional hub for digital connectivity. Internet traffic will be routed through Starlink gateway stations located in the country.

He stated that satellite internet delivered via Kazakhstani ground stations is expected to become available to Tajikistan as early as 2026. In the future, the system may also be extended to Mongolia and Kyrgyzstan. At the same time, he noted that Uzbekistan has proposed off-take contracts related to a trans-Caspian fiber-optic communication line.

The deployment of Starlink infrastructure in Kazakhstan was formalized in a separate agreement between the country’s authorities and representatives of Starlink last summer.

In parallel, the government is expanding terrestrial digital infrastructure. According to the ministry, an additional 1,900 villages will gain access to fiber-optic communication lines this year.

In 2027, coverage is expected to exceed 90% of rural settlements. Authorities also plan to ensure communication coverage along all national highways, at border checkpoints, and on the main passenger routes operated by Kazakhstan Temir Zholy. Internet access is also set to become available on board the national airline for the first time.

13 Feb 2026

Business & Economy, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan Business & Economy, Kyrgyzstan Business & Economy

Tourism Master Plan for Almaty-Bishkek Economic Corridor Updated with Green Focus

February 13, 2026
By Sergey Kwan

On February 12, Bishkek hosted a presentation of the green update to the tourism master plan for the Almaty-Bishkek Economic Corridor (ABEC) between Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, a document prepared with the support of the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

The event brought together representatives of Kyrgyz government agencies, officials from the Issyk-Kul and Chui regions bordering Kazakhstan, as well as members of tourism associations and international development partners.

The ABEC tourism master plan was initially approved in 2019. According to Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Economy and Commerce, the updated version emphasizes three key areas.

The first is green tourism, including the development of eco-tourism routes, sustainable accommodation facilities, hiking and cycling trails, and measures to reduce pressure on mountain ecosystems, lakes, and national parks.

The second priority is sustainable development. This includes improving resource efficiency, introducing renewable energy sources, promoting green logistics, and reducing the carbon footprint of tourism-related activities.

The third focus area is regional integration and connectivity. Planned measures include digitalizing border-crossing procedures, developing sustainable transport solutions, strengthening cross-border coordination, and creating more convenient tourist routes along the corridor.

The updated master plan aims to attract investment and mobilize financial resources from the ADB, national governments, the private sector, and development partners to implement priority projects along the ABEC corridor.

A central infrastructure component of the ABEC initiative is the proposed construction of an alternative highway linking Almaty, Kazakhstan’s largest city, with Lake Issyk-Kul, Kyrgyzstan’s leading tourist destination.

Lake Issyk-Kul remains a major attraction for visitors from across the region and is particularly popular among Almaty residents seeking weekend or summer trips. Although the two locations are separated by only about 80 kilometers in a straight line, mountain ranges make direct travel difficult. The existing route passes through Bishkek, extending the journey to more than 460 kilometers and turning what could be a short trip into an approximately eight-hour drive to Cholpon-Ata, the largest resort town on the lake’s northern shore.

The Times of Central Asia previously reported on long-standing plans to establish a more direct road between Almaty and Issyk-Kul. In 2007, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan signed a memorandum of understanding for a route bypassing Bishkek, running through Uzynagash and Kemin and connecting directly to Cholpon-Ata. The project, however, stalled at an early stage. If completed, it would reduce the travel distance to approximately 260 kilometers and significantly shorten travel time.

The project is currently at the stage of preparing a feasibility study.