BISHKEK (TCA) — The Publisher’s note: Central Asia is an important geopolitical area between Europe, Russia and China. It is in Central Asia that world powers have confronted each other for centuries; it is here that China needs to succeed with its new Silk Road Belt for direct access to the Western markets; and it is here that a large wealth of raw materials has its origin. Every week thousands of news appears all over the world in printed and online media and it is quite understandable that many of them may escape the attention of busy readers. At The Times of Central Asia, we strongly believe that more information can better contribute to peaceful development and better knowledge of the region, and for this reason we are presenting this Weekly Digest of Central Asia which compiles what other media have reported during the past week.
KAZAKHSTAN
Kazakhstan opening embassy in Ireland to expand trade and attract investment
Kazakhstan is reaching out to Ireland as the Central Asian country seeks to get Irish experience and investment
Nov 4 — “The largest and richest country in Central Asia, Kazakhstan is opening an embassy in Ireland to expand trade between the two countries, learn how to attract multinationals and build an International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) like that in Dublin.” READ MORE: https://www.irishtimes.com/business/kazakhstan-opening-embassy-in-ireland-to-expand-trade-and-attract-investment-1.3278972
CENTRAL ASIA COULD BE ENTRYWAY FOR ISRAEL TO JOIN ONE BELT, ONE ROAD INITIATIVE
By expanding its ties with Central Asian countries, and particularly with Kazakhstan, Israel can tap into this economic epicenter connecting Europe and China
Nov 7 — “As US President Donald Trump is in Asia this week, a topic of conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping could be his ambitious multi-billion- dollar plan to create the Belt and Road initiative (BRI) – a modern Silk Road of trade and infrastructure connecting Asia to Europe and the Middle East.” READ MORE: http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Central-Asia-could-be-entryway-for-Israel-to-join-One-Belt-One-Road-initiative-513634
Kazakhstan: State Bailing Out Yet Another Ailing Bank
In oil-rich and relatively wealthy Kazakhstan, the banking sector has periodically faced liquidity crises by this or that bank and the persistent problem of non-performing loans
Nov 7 — “The government in Kazakhstan is mulling a generous rescue plan for a collapsing bank that the president only days ago described as being run by “thieves.” Under the solution presented on November 7, the National Bank will enlist copper miner Kazakhmys to recapitalize RBK Bank to the tune of 160 billion tenge ($480 million).” READ MORE: http://www.eurasianet.org/node/85921
Golden Boy Bishimbaev Goes On Trial In Kazakhstan
Corruption is endemic in Kazakhstan’s power echelons — with a number of high-ranking officials and even a former prime minister having been tried and convicted on corruption charges
Nov 8 — “Though just 37 years old, Kuandyk Bishimbaev has already been Kazakhstan’s deputy minister of industry and trade, deputy chairman of the sovereign wealth fund Samruk-Kazyna, chairman of the national holding company Bayterek, and economy minister. But his current title is court defendant, as his trial got under way on November 7.” READ MORE: https://www.rferl.org/a/qishloq-ovozi-kazakhstan-bishimbaev-trial-nazarbaev/28842723.html
Destination Kazakhstan
Future Power Technology correspondent visited the IAEA’s low-enriched uranium bank which was opened in Kazakhstan in August, to find out about the fuel bank and why it is needed
Nov 9 — “On 29 August, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the United Nations nuclear watchdog, officially opened its first low-enriched uranium (LEU) bank in Oskemen, Kazakhstan. The bank will be able to hold 90t of uranium, separated into 60 1.5t cylinders.” READ MORE: http://www.power-technology.com/features/destination-kazakhstan/
KYRGYZSTAN
Criminal case initiated against MP Omurbek Babanov in Kyrgyzstan
Babanov, a front-runner in the recent presidential election, is now facing criminal charges, given that President-elect Jeenbekov earlier promised to start his fight against corruption from this richest man in Kyrgyzstan
Nov 5 — “On November 4, the Prosecutor General’s Office of Kyrgyzstan initiated a criminal case against the leader of the Respublika – Ata Jurt parliamentary faction and former presidential candidate Omurbek Babanov. Babanov is accused of public calls for a violent change of the constitutional order and the incitement of national, racial or religious hatred.” READ MORE: https://timesca.com/index.php/news/18881-criminal-case-initiated-against-mp-omurbek-babanov-in-kyrgyzstan
Dispute with Kazakhstan likely to slow Kyrgyz GDP growth, IMF says
The ongoing ‘economic war’ and bottleneck at the Kyrgyz-Kazakh border is likely to take its toll on Kyrgyzstan’s economic results this year
Nov 8 — “Kyrgyzstan’s economy will grow less than previously expected this year because a diplomatic dispute with neighbouring Kazakhstan is disrupting trade, the International Monetary Fund said on Wednesday.” READ MORE: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/international-business/dispute-with-kazakhstan-likely-to-slow-kyrgyz-gdp-growth-imf-says/articleshow/61566119.cms
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND MURDER IN KYRGYZSTAN
In Kyrgyzstan, domestic violence is widespread but is routinely ignored by authorities — which often leads to tragedy and crime
Nov 9 — “Elena Pashkurova is serving 18 years for murdering her husband. At first, “we lived happily and he treated me well,” she said in a testimony given to the Chance Crisis Center for abused women. But the situation changed after the birth of their second son. “He beat me, forbade me to see friends and family, and made me have sex against my will.” READ MORE: https://psmag.com/social-justice/domestiv-violence-leads-to-murder-in-kyrgzystan
Parliament of Kyrgyzstan passes denunciation of $100-million aid deal with Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan’s $100 million aid was intended to help Kyrgyzstan adapt to the conditions of the Eurasian Economic Union, but Kyrgyzstan’s move has shown that the Russia-led economic bloc is full of internal contradictions
Nov 9 — “Parliament of Kyrgyzstan passed the law on denunciation of the agreement between the Government of Kyrgyzstan and the Government of Kazakhstan on providing $100 million technical aid to Kyrgyzstan. 105 MPs voted for, 1 against the adoption of this bill. 106 MPs were present at the Thursday plenary session, Tazabek reported.” READ MORE: https://akipress.com/news:598677/
TAJIKISTAN
Tajikistan Set to Renew Imports of Uzbek Gas
The move is largely thanks to the recent efforts taken by the new Uzbek President Mirziyoyev aimed at mending Uzbekistan’s relations with Central Asia neighbors, including Tajikistan
Nov 7 — “A source at a state-run natural gas company in Tajikistan has told media that they are finalizing negotiations to resume the import of gas from Uzbekistan after a five-year hiatus. Asia-Plus news website on November 7 cited the official at Tajiktransgaz as saying a preliminary agreement for gas deliveries was reached during recent talks in the Uzbek capital, Tashkent.” READ MORE: http://www.eurasianet.org/node/85911
Iranian FM Goes to Tajikistan on Mission to Patch Up Relations
Tehran is taking steps to mend its relations with Dushanbe, as Iran is losing to its regional rival, Saudi Arabia, in the efforts to keep Tajikistan within its sphere of influence
Nov 8 — “Iran’s foreign minister has embarked on a curious mission to Tajikistan, possibly to patch up relations that have plummeted to historic lows. Javad Zarif ostensibly flew into Dushanbe on November 8 to attend the inauguration of a new Iranian embassy — the old building having been swept up in the city’s relentless redesign.” READ MORE: http://www.eurasianet.org/node/85956
Uzbekistan, Tajikistan: New Energy Ties Power Better Relations
The Uzbek government’s decision to renew energy ties with neighboring Tajikistan confirms that relations are warming between Uzbekistan and Tajikistan under Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev
Nov 9 — “Uzbekistan is taking another small step away from its isolationist past. On Nov. 7, Uzbekistan and neighboring Tajikistan reached a preliminary agreement to rejoin their power supply networks.” READ MORE: https://worldview.stratfor.com/article/uzbekistan-tajikistan-new-energy-ties-power-better-relations
TURKMENISTAN
Turkmenistan lowers limit for ATM withdrawals abroad
Turkmenistan’s economy is facing a crisis as government revenues have dropped due to low world prices for natural gas, the country’s main export item
Nov 8 — “Authorities in Turkmenistan have reduced the limit on cash withdrawals from ATMs abroad for the third time this year, in an apparent attempt to keep more money in the country amid an economic downturn, RFE/RL’s Turkmen Service reported.” READ MORE: https://timesca.com/index.php/news/18893-turkmenistan-lowers-limit-for-atm-withdrawals-abroad
Turkmenistan’s gas deadlock: what Ashgabat to find in the embrace of Beijing
Turkmenistan is striving to put an end to its dependence on today’s only buyer of Turkmen gas — China, but gas exports diversification is hindered by political, and economic, factors
Nov 8 — “Russia is unlikely to agree to the transit of the Turkmen gas to Europe and the CIS countries. Will this really push Ashgabat into the embrace of Beijing? Today, the Chinese are the largest investor in the oil and gas complex of Turkmenistan and have already expressed willingness to help the country building gas pipelines to India and Azerbaijan.” READ MORE: https://eadaily.com/en/news/2017/11/08/turkmenistans-gas-deadlock-what-ashgabat-to-find-in-the-embrace-of-beijng
China-based CNPC willing to participate in the TAPI construction
China is increasing its presence in Turkmenistan’s oil and gas sector, as Beijing looks to benefit from Turkmen hydrocarbon exports to new markets
Nov 9 — “CNPC is ready to render assistance to Turkmenistan in building the gas pipeline Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) and the Trans-Caspian pipeline, – Li Shuliang, CEO of CNPC International Turkmenistan (CNPC subsidiary), said speaking at the international conference “Oil and gas in Turkmenistan-2017” which was held in Ashgabat on 2-4 November.” READ MORE: https://en.hronikatm.com/2017/11/china-based-cnpc-willing-to-participate-in-the-tapi-construction/
Saudi-Turkmenistan Joint Committee explores ways to boost trade, investment relations
Saudi investment would be very helpful for Turkmenistan, as the country is experiencing an economic downturn caused by decreasing gas export revenues
Nov 10 — “The Saudi-Turkmenistan Joint Committee for Economic and Trade Cooperation held its fifth session in Riyadh, reviewing bilateral cooperation and the joint committee’s important role in further enhancing trade and investment relations between the two countries.” READ MORE: http://www.arabnews.com/node/1191066/saudi-arabia
UZBEKISTAN
Uzbekistan is a breeding ground for Islamist terrorism thanks to its self-fulfilling prophecy
An author reflects on why Uzbekistan, a country remote from the violent flashpoints of the Middle East, has generated so many jihadis
Nov 7 — “Sayfullo Saipov, the 29-year-old Islamist who murdered eight people on the streets of Manhattan, is the latest in a long line of Uzbek terrorists. The Stockholm truck killer, the St Petersburg Metro bomber, the Istanbul airport attacker – all were of that handsome Turkic race. Some 1,500 Uzbeks went to fight for the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq, proportionately a huge number.” READ MORE: http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/uzbekistan-breeding-ground-islamist-terrorism-thanks-its-self-fulfilling-prophecy-1646096
Uzbekistan: Another Journalist Arrested, Casting Doubt on Liberalizing Agenda
Despite the recent steps taken by the Uzbek government towards the country’s liberalization, the National Security Service, led by the longtime associate of the late President Karimov, continues exercising tough measures against the media
Nov 7 — “Security services in Uzbekistan have arrested another journalist, Hayot Nasreddinov, sowing doubt about the seriousness of the government’s unspoken intent to expand media freedoms. Nasreddinov, 47, was arrested on October 20, but confirmation of the jailing has only been revealed in the past few days.” READ MORE: http://www.eurasianet.org/node/85941
Foreign businessmen cut investing in Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan is carrying out economic reforms to liberalize its currency regime to attract much-needed foreign investments in the country’s economy
Nov 9 — “The inflow of foreign investment into the Uzbek economy decreased by more than 40 percent, from $ 3.3 billion to $ 1.9 billion in the period from 2011 to 2016. This was announced by Azim Ahmedkhadzhayev, the Chairman of the State Committee for Investments at the round table on improving the investment climate in the country Nov. 8.” READ MORE: https://www.azernews.az/region/121936.html
EBRD underlines commitment to Uzbekistan
Following the recent developments and reforms in Uzbekistan the EBRD has welcomed the opportunity to reengage in the country with new projects
Nov 10 — “The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is ready to increase its engagement in Uzbekistan. In a speech in the capital Tashkent the Bank’s First Vice President Phil Bennett praised reforms in the Central Asian country in recent months and emphasised the importance of economic integration” READ MORE: https://timesca.com/index.php/news/18906-ebrd-underlines-commitment-to-uzbekistan
AFGHANISTAN
Dari Or Farsi? Afghanistan’s Long-Simmering Language Dispute
Language has long been a sore point in Afghanistan, exposing unresolved tensions among the country’s many ethnic and linguistic groups
Nov 7 — “What to call the Persian language in Afghanistan? It’s a question Afghans have grappled with and sparred over for decades. The long-simmering dispute was reignited after the BBC changed the name of one of its local-language Facebook pages to BBC Dari, prompting a backlash from many Afghan Persian speakers who despise the word officially used to describe their language.” READ MORE: https://www.rferl.org/a/afghanistan-dari-farsi-persian-language-dispute/28840560.html
Decoding India’s policy choices in Afghanistan
A new book, ‘My Enemy’s Enemy: India In Afghanistan From The Soviet Invasion To The US Withdrawal’, tries to decode the drivers of India’s Afghan policy in a contemporary context
Nov 7 — “In 1878, Robert Bulwer-Lytton, the viceroy of India, was convinced that the Afghan amir Sher Ali Khan was getting too close to the Russians. A team of British diplomats sent to meet Khan was turned away at the Khyber Pass. The result was the Second Anglo-Afghan War and the signing of the Treaty of Gandamak, which made Afghanistan surrender its foreign policy to the British government.” READ MORE: http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/Oysvqx8CXdmGEEKf2VTIEN/Decoding-Indias-policy-choices-in-Afghanistan.html
Remote war and public air
In another attempt to win the Afghan war, President Trump is willing to give the US military more freedom of action and let the CIA undertake covert operations against the Taliban
Nov 9 — “Afghanistan in 2016 saw 11,489 of its civilians killed in armed conflict, according to international observers. This was the highest number since external recording started in 2009. This year is expected to be at least as bad. The fighting season from May-October was particularly intense, with substantial losses among Afghan security personnel.” READ MORE: https://www.opendemocracy.net/paul-rogers/remote-war-and-public-air
More NATO Troops in Afghanistan Unlikely to Change Course of Conflict – Analysts
Political analysts comment on a potential increase of NATO mission’s troops in Afghanistan
Nov 9 — “The recently announced increase of NATO troops in Afghanistan is unlikely to change the overall course of the conflict in the country or contribute to defeating the Taliban (outlawed in Russia), analysts told Sputnik.” READ MORE: https://sputniknews.com/analysis/201711091058962796-nato-troops-afghanistan-conflict/
WORLD
The Baku Tblisi Kars (KTK) Railway Is Turkey’s Silk Road Corridor To Central Asia
The recently launched Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway is the most efficient route for the EU, Turkey, and North Africa to access Central Asia, and eventually China
Nov 6 — “President Erdogan declared that the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway is “an important chain in the New Silk Road, which aims to connect Asia, Africa, and Europe” while speaking in the Azerbaijani capital during at the opening ceremony for this transnational connectivity corridor.” READ MORE: https://www.globalresearch.ca/the-baku-tblisi-kars-ktk-railway-is-turkeys-silk-road-corridor-to-central-asia/5616975
Mogherini: Recent developments in Central Asia open new perspectives for EU’s cooperation with it
The European Union is developing new strategies of cooperation with Central Asian countries, taking into account new challenges facing the region
Nov 9 — “On the eve of the ministerial meeting between European Commissions Vice President and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini and five Central Asian foreign ministers in Samarkand on Nov. 10, she spoke about the current state and future of the European Union’s relations with the countries of the region, as well as about the recent changes in Uzbekistan and the joint responses to the challenges of Afghanistan.” READ MORE: https://astanatimes.com/2017/11/mogherini-recent-developments-in-central-asia-open-new-perspectives-for-eus-cooperation-with-it/
What is China’s Belt and Road Initiative?
An explainer sheds light on what China’s Belt and Road Initiative means for Eurasia and the world
Nov 10 — “China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a President Xi Jinping policy aimed at improving China’s “connectivity” with the rest of the world. It is intended to help close the development gap between wealthy Beijing (pictured above) and China’s eastern states, and the underdeveloped west of China.” READ MORE: http://www.sbs.com.au/news/explainer/what-chinas-belt-and-road-initiative
