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BISHKEK (TCA) — Russia plans to hold joint military exercises with the armed forces of Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan I the second half of this year in response to regional threats arising from the war in Afghanistan. Continue reading
BISHKEK (TCA) — Authorities in China are taking tough measures against what they say are Uighur separatists and extremists in Xinjiang, but the persecution and crackdowns can backfire, making more Uighur Muslims join the ranks of such terrorist organizations as the Islamic State. We are republishing this article by Zachary Abuza* on China’s counter-terrorism policies, originally published by The Jamestown Foundation’s Terrorism Monitor: Continue reading
ASHGABAT (TCA) — Turkmenistan has put its military and law enforcement agencies on high alert for the period from August 17 until September 27, as the country is preparing and will host the 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in Ashgabat, the State News Agency of Turkmenistan reported. President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov signed a resolution ordering law enforcement and military agencies to carry out intensified mode of their work for provision of high-level security and public order, protection of the state border, prevention of crimes and illegal acts related to migration during the organization and holding of the Games. At the special session of the State Security Council on August 15, Berdymukhammedov said that the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games will kick off on September 17. Visits of numerous high-ranking guests, heads of state, representatives of international organizations and other officials are expected during this period. Turkmenistan, as the host of Ashgabat 2017 Games, has to provide absolute safety during the events. In this regards, a high alert mode of work of military and law enforcement departments is announced from August 17 to September 27, when the Games will end. All security forces are to work in a 24/7 mode, the president said, adding that the borders have to be closed, visa issuances are to be limited and customs mode is to be intensified. In addition, exit and entry permits are to be given to people travelling on private and social affairs as well as for participation in previously agreed international events, the president said. All international exhibitions and events planned to be held in Ashgabat in this period are to be postponed to other dates. The 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games is the largest sports event Turkmenistan has ever hosted.
DUSHANBE (TCA) — On July 26, Tajikistan co-hosted a meeting of the C5+1 Security Working Group with representatives from Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and the United States in Dushanbe. R. Carl Paschall, Deputy Coordinator for Operations Policy and Military Coordination of the State Department’s Bureau of Counterterrorism and Countering Violent Extremism, led the U.S. delegation with the participation of U.S. Ambassador to Tajikistan Elisabeth Millard. The group discussed regional cooperation in counterterrorism and the threat of Foreign Terrorist Fighters in Central Asia, the US Embassy in Dushanbe reported. Continue reading
WASHINGTON (TCA) — Fears of a ‘spillover’ of extremists from Northern Afghanistan into the states of Central Asia is nothing new. These claims have been echoed by Russia and the leaders of Central Asia for years; however there is little evidence to suggest genuine concern. For the Central Asian elite, this claim attracts foreign aid from wealthy states, while allowing regimes to squash both religious and secular dissent. The late ruler of Uzbekistan, Islam Karimov, used this very tactic to eliminate threats to his regime in the early 2000s by coordinating with the United States to extinguish Islamists. The Central Asian elite commonly use their security apparatus against political dissenters, and Karimov jailed hundreds of opponents under the disguise of counterterror. Continue reading
BISHKEK (TCA) — India can work closely with the US and Afghanistan in providing security in the war-torn country and supporting wider stability in the region, the US Senate Armed Services Committee says, but Indian experts rule out any direct military involvement of India in Afghanistan, Russia’s Sputnik news agency reports. Continue reading
