The Times Of Central Asia | Eurasian Publication & News Online

The Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan has been officially recognized as the world’s largest museum dedicated to Islamic civilization, receiving a Guinness World Records title on April 13. The recognition was confirmed by Guinness World Records adjudicator Şeyda Subaşı Gemici, who attended the ceremony alongside project architects, designers, and...

Climate Change

Central Asia’s Climate Risks Could Cost Up to 130% of GDP by 2080

By 2080, climate change is expected to have a profound impact on the economies of Central Asian countries, with potential losses ranging from 20% to 130% of GDP. The most severe effects are projected for mountainous nations. These estimates were presented at a CAREC technology forum by Iskandar Abdullaev, a...

Gas Industry

Kazakhstan Appoints Operator for Karachaganak Gas Processing Plant Construction

Kazakhstan has identified the participants in a project to construct a new gas processing plant (GPP) at the Karachaganak field, aimed at supplying the domestic market with commercial gas. The national company QazaqGaz will act as the single project operator, while China’s CITIC Construction has expressed readiness to participate. Initially,...

Hungary

Hungary’s Political Shift Puts Central Asia Partnerships Under Scrutiny

Strategic Partnership

The Astana-Tashkent Tandem: A Developing Partnership Based on Mutual Interest

On April 11, Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev paid a working visit to Uzbekistan, where he was hosted in Bukhara by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. The historic city provided the setting for discussions that increasingly reflect a broader regional agenda. A second informal meeting in just over a year suggests this format...

Arrests, Agreements and the Afghanistan-Pakistan Conflict

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Sunkar Podcast

Central Asia and the Troubled Southern Route

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Opinions

Opinion – Kazakhstan’s New Constitution Sends a Key Signal for Global Partners

Javier M. Piedra

Opinion: Trump Has Golden Opportunity to Launch C6+1 on Sidelines of UN

Ken Moriyasu

Opinion: Islamic State Khorasan Province and the Strategic Risks for Central Asia

Aidar Borangaziyev

Opinion: Mirziyoyev in Washington – New Deals Expected Amidst Peace Diplomacy

Javier M. Piedra

Opinion – The “Board of Peace” and Afghan Diplomacy: A View from Kabul

Dr. Bismillah Mangal

Opinion: Kazakhstan’s Constitutional Referendum – Strategic Reset or Institutional Consolidation?

Raza Syed

Opinion: Afghanistan and Central Asia – Security Without Illusions

Aidar Borangaziyev

Opinion: The New Silk Road to the Sea – Connecting Central Asia to Karachi and Gwadar

Mian Nasser Hyatt Maggo & Engineer Arshad H. Abbasi

Breaking into Project Vault: A U.S. Role for Central Asia’s Strategic Minerals

Dr. Eric Rudenshiold

Opinion: Tokayev’s National Kurultai Address: A Moral Message, Not a Political One

Javier M. Piedra

Opinion: Central Asia–Japan Summit Signals Shift in Eurasian Geoeconomics — and Russia’s Waning Role

Anvar Nazirov

Opinion: Iranian Unrest Creates Opening for U.S., Partners in Central Asia

Nilaya Magidish

Business & Economy

Economic Growth

Why Strong Economic Growth in Central Asia Masks Underlying Risks

Central Asian countries are significantly outperforming the global average in GDP growth, largely due to differing economic models across the region. However, rapid expansion does not remove deep structural vulnerabilities. As early as March, data showed that the combined economies of Central Asian countries grew by nearly 7% in 2025 compared to the previous year. The World Bank estimates regional growth at 6.2%, while the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) places it at 6.6%. These calculations include Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan; Turkmenistan is excluded due to limited statistical transparency. By comparison, growth rates in advanced economies are much lower. The...

China

Beyond the Belt and Road: China’s New Playbook in Central Asia

Energy

Kyrgyzstan Accelerates Small Hydropower Construction to Achieve Energy Independence

Gas Industry

Kazakhstan Appoints Operator for Karachaganak Gas Processing Plant Construction

Global Logistics

Pakistan Sends First Transit Shipment to Uzbekistan via Iran Corridor

Employment

Kazakhstan Climbs 13 Positions in the World Bank Human Capital Ranking

Kazakhstan has significantly improved its position in the World Bank’s Human Capital Index Plus (HCI+), rising by 13 places to rank 42nd out of 161 countries by the end of 2025. The index evaluates human capital development, including health, education, and workforce skills, all of which directly influence economic growth and investment attractiveness. Charles McLean, founder of Borderless Consulting Group, shared his assessment of the factors behind this progress in an interview with Inbusiness.kz. According to McLean, Kazakhstan’s rise reflects not only quantitative improvements but also qualitative changes in the country’s socio-economic landscape. “Kazakhstan’s rise by 13 positions is a highly...

Food Security

Tajikistan, Dependent on Sugar Imports, Contends with Price Surge

Tajikistan’s government has been trying to reduce or at least diversify food imports whose prices are vulnerable to regional or global shocks. But a recent surge in the cost of sugar highlights ongoing challenges for the landlocked country. Tajikistan relies on sugar imports from Russia, Belarus, India, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, and other countries. Last year, it imported about 190,000 tons. Now, as oil prices fluctuate because of conflict in the Middle East, Tajikistan is among many countries, including its neighbors in Central Asia, that are struggling with uncertainty over the international energy trade. The country has faced similar cycles in the...

Energy Exports

Russia to Boost Energy Exports to Uzbekistan as Trade Surpasses $13 Billion

Russia plans to increase deliveries of oil and natural gas to Uzbekistan, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said at the sixth session of the intergovernmental commission at the level of the two countries’ prime ministers in Moscow. “Agreements have been reached to continue supplies of Russian oil and natural gas and to increase their volumes,” Mishustin said, noting that energy remains a key area of cooperation between Moscow and Tashkent. He added that Russian specialists are also involved in drilling new wells and modernizing refining and gas transportation infrastructure in Uzbekistan. The meeting brought together Mishustin and Uzbekistan’s Prime Minister Abdulla...

Economy

IMF Warns of Risks for Rapidly Growing Kyrgyz Economy

Kyrgyzstan continues to record strong economic growth and rising per capita income. At the same time, elevated inflation above the National Bank’s 5%-7% target range, rapid credit expansion, strong wage growth, and high liquidity point to signs of economic overheating, requiring timely macroeconomic policy adjustments. These are the key points of an International Monetary Fund (IMF) statement following consultations with Kyrgyz authorities in Bishkek between March 18 and April 1. The IMF noted that after recording fiscal surpluses between 2023 and 2025, the overall fiscal balance is projected to shift into deficit in 2026, reflecting higher public-sector wages and increased...

Local Politics

Hungary

Tokayev Congratulates Péter Magyar on Victory in Hungary’s Parliamentary Elections

Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has sent a congratulatory telegram to Péter Magyar, leader of the TISZA party, following his victory in Hungary’s parliamentary elections. According to the presidential press service, Tokayev noted that the election results reflect a high level of public trust in the TISZA party and its program and expressed confidence in Hungary’s continued sustainable development. Tokayev emphasised that Astana attaches great importance to strengthening its strategic partnership with Budapest, reaffirming readiness to expand bilateral cooperation for the benefit of both countries. He also wished Magyar success in his new role, along with prosperity and well-being for the...

AI Will Help the Kyrgyz Parliament Speed Up the Legislative Process

Cultural Heritage

Bukhara Demolitions Resurface as Developer Faces Financial Trouble

Kyrgyz-Tajik Border

Kyrgyzstan Develops Territories Received from Tajikistan

Freight Industry

Kazakhstan Proposes Creating a Digital Platform Within the EAEU to Coordinate Freight

Radicalization

Kazakh MP Calls for a Legislative Ban on Radical Religious Movements

Kazybek Isa, a deputy of the Mazhilis (Kazakhstan's lower house of parliament ), has called for a legislative ban on radical religious movements, arguing that their spread poses a threat to social stability and national security. In a parliamentary inquiry addressed to the government and law enforcement agencies, Isa stated that the ability of such groups to recruit followers could undermine social cohesion and national values. “A legislative ban on radical religious movements is a matter of national security. Such movements threaten social stability, and the state is obligated to protect its citizens from their influence,” the deputy said. He...

Constitutional Reform

Opinion – Kazakhstan’s New Constitution Sends a Key Signal for Global Partners

In a nationwide referendum on March 15, over 87% of voters approved a new constitution for Kazakhstan. It was a significant victory for President Tokayev and his administration, all the more so because voter turnout exceeded 73%. Kazakhstan’s new constitution is a key signal for global partners. It replaces the old bicameral system with a unicameral legislature, establishes the Halyk Kenesi (People’s Council), an advisory body intended to promote national dialogue, and creates a vice presidency to provide for clearer succession at the top of the state. The new constitution is the outcome of a strategy that has been building...

Justice

Kazakh Lawmaker Proposes Tougher Penalties for Poaching

Kazakh Senator Andrei Lukin has called for tougher penalties for poaching amid a rise in violations, including illegal fish exports and document forgery. In a parliamentary inquiry, he urged a review of existing sanctions, greater transparency in industry subsidies through digital platforms, and stronger independence for relevant scientific organizations. Current legislation provides for fines of up to $27,000 and prison sentences of up to 10 years. However, Lukin argued that these measures are insufficient. According to his data, 84,000 tons of fish were seized from illegal trade between 2022 and 2025. At the same time, stocks of commercially important species...

Power Struggle

Kyrgyzstan Moves Toward Power Consolidation Ahead of 2027 Election

Kyrgyzstan has changed leaders more often than any other country in Central Asia, with power shifts since independence driven by both elections and unrest. With less than ten months remaining before the next presidential vote on January 24, 2027, recent political developments suggest the authorities are now moving to consolidate control well ahead of the contest. Against this backdrop, Russian political analyst Arkady Dubnov, citing sources in Kyrgyzstan, has suggested that recent political decisions, including the sudden removal of Kamchybek Tashiyev on February 10, may be linked to efforts to manage regional and institutional tensions within the country. In particular,...

International Affairs

Hungary

Hungary’s Political Shift Puts Central Asia Partnerships Under Scrutiny

Hungary’s political transition following the defeat of Viktor Orbán’s party and his resignation as prime minister is drawing attention not only in the EU and the United States, but also in Central Asia, where Budapest has built growing energy and investment ties. The key question is whether the policy of cooperation with Central Asia developed under Orbán will continue under the new leadership. In recent years, under Orbán, Budapest has actively developed its Central Asian foreign policy, primarily driven by the desire to find alternatives to Russian energy supplies. That push reflects Hungary’s long-standing reliance on Russian oil and gas,...

Strategic Partnership

The Astana-Tashkent Tandem: A Developing Partnership Based on Mutual Interest

Iran

Central Asia Recalculates as the Iran War Enters a New Phase

Foreign Affairs

Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Visits Caucasus to Expand Trade and Transit Ties

CIS

Moldova Moves to Leave CIS as Post-Soviet Bloc Loses Another Member

Hungary

Central Asia Holds Back on Hungary Election as Orbán Era Ends

Central Asian governments have still yet to issue public statements on Hungary’s election, which brought an end to Viktor Orbán’s 16-year tenure. Hungary’s National Election Office published official updates after the April 12 vote, with Orbán conceding defeat after preliminary results indicated a landslide victory for Péter Magyar’s Tisza party. European leaders responded quickly, but no comparable messages have appeared on the main official channels in Astana, Tashkent, Bishkek, Dushanbe, or Ashgabat. The absence is not a breach of diplomatic protocol. Governments often wait for formal certification or initial contacts before issuing congratulations after parliamentary elections. Yet Hungary occupies a...

Space Exploration

Russia Signals Readiness to Train Turkmen Cosmonaut

Russia is prepared to support the training of a Turkmen cosmonaut if Turkmenistan expresses interest, Russian Ambassador Ivan Volynkin said on April 10 in Ashgabat. The statement was made during a ceremony marking the 65th anniversary of the first human spaceflight, during which participants laid flowers at a bust of Yuri Gagarin. The remarks were reported by the Russian Embassy’s official Telegram channel. Volynkin highlighted the achievements of Oleg Kononenko, a native of Turkmenabat in Turkmenistan, who holds the record for the longest cumulative time spent in orbit, exceeding 1,100 days. He currently heads the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center. According...

Middle Corridor

Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan Are Reinforcing the Middle Corridor’s South Caucasus Link

On April 7 Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Yermek Kosherbayev visited Tbilisi to hold talks with Georgian Foreign Minister Maka Bochorishvili and sign a 2026–2027 foreign-ministry cooperation program. He called Georgia “a key link” in the Europe–Asia transport architecture and said the common task was to raise corridor capacity, improve service predictability, and ensure tariff transparency. The materialization of the bilateral cooperation is already evident from last June’s opening of the Poti multimodal terminal by a joint Kazakhstani-Georgian company. The real meaning of Kosherbayev's discussions in Tbilisi lies in their context. On April 2 in Baku, Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov said Kazakhstan...

EU-Turkmenistan Relations

Turkmenistan Opens the Door a Little Wider to Europe

Turkmenistan has historically been a difficult partner to deal with. The Turkmen government’s isolationist policies run counter to deep cooperation with any foreign party, but the Turkmen authorities seem to now perceive that these policies are costing them opportunities and revenue. In one of the latest shifts in foreign policy, Turkmenistan appears to be warming up relations with the European Union, though currently, the EU has its own reasons to boost interaction with Turkmenistan. Let’s Meet For decades, the EU and many other countries and international organizations have gone through frustrating efforts to establish a reliable relationship with Turkmenistan. Ashgabat’s...

Life & Culture

World Nomad Games

Horses, Eagles, and Fire: The Steppe Awakens as the 2026 World Nomad Games Return to Kyrgyzstan

On the shores of Lake Issyk-Kul, where mountains drop sharply into the water, and horses and cars are found in almost equal measure, Kyrgyzstan will host the World Nomad Games 2026 from August 31 to September 6, with The Times of Central Asia reporting from the ground. Since their launch in 2014, the Games have grown well beyond their origins, drawing competitors and audiences from across the world. This year’s emblem, the snow leopard, captures that idea with unusual precision. It has been adopted as the national symbol of Kyrgyzstan in recent years and has long been central to the...

Islamic Civilization Center

Uzbekistan’s Islamic Civilization Center Enters Guinness World Records as Largest Museum

Sports

Kazakhstan Begins First Public-Private Partnership Sports Facility Project

Football

Tajikistan Didn´t Qualify for World Cup, But Its Young Players Are Winning

Aviation

Pilots for Turkmenistan Airlines to Be Trained in Turkey

Chess

Chess: Sindarov Wins Candidates Contest, Will Face World Champion

Javokhir Sindarov of Uzbekistan has won the eight-player FIDE Candidates Tournament, earning the opportunity to challenge world chess champion Gukesh Dommaraju of India later this year. Sindarov drew a game against Anish Giri at the tournament venue in Cyprus on Tuesday, “and with one round remaining, Sindarov holds a commanding two-point lead over the rest of the field,” said FIDE, the international governing body of chess. On the women’s side, Bibisara Asaubayeva of Kazakhstan defeated Ukrainian Anna Muzychuk on Tuesday to move into a tie for first place with India’s R. Vaishali. The women’s final round on Wednesday “will determine...

Motoring

Kazakhstan to Introduce AI in Driver’s License Exams

Kazakhstan plans to introduce artificial AI technologies into both the theoretical and practical components of driver’s license exams. At the same time, citizens will be allowed to take the exams an unlimited number of times without having to repeat training at driving schools. The initiatives were presented by Zhaslan Madiyev, Minister of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry, together with representatives of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. According to the proposed changes, augmented reality (AR) technologies will be used in the theoretical exam, while computer vision systems will monitor practical driving tests. These measures are intended to increase transparency and...

TCA Interviews

Contemporary Theater in Kazakhstan: Between Tradition and Experiment

Contemporary theater in Kazakhstan is undergoing a period of active development, balancing the preservation of cultural heritage with the search for new forms of expression. The Times of Central Asia spoke with Abai Kazbayev, an actor at the Zhambyl Regional Russian Drama Theater who is currently studying acting and directing, about how the theater scene is evolving, the challenges faced by actors and directors, and why experimentation has become essential. TCA: Tell us about yourself. How did your journey into theater begin, and what influenced your decision to become an actor? Abai: I entered the profession through my love of...

TCA Interviews

Kazakhstani Neurosurgeon Galymzhan Issabekov on Brain Research in Berlin

In an era of globalization, science has become an increasingly borderless field dedicated to advancing human well-being. This is especially evident in neuroscience, where ongoing discoveries are deepening understanding of the human brain, one of the body’s most complex and least understood organs, while shaping the future of medicine. Among the emerging researchers in this field is Kazakhstani neurosurgeon and PhD scholar Galymzhan Issabekov. Issabekov is part of a new generation of scientists building international careers in research and medicine. His academic path began at Peking University, where he received medical training and developed a strong foundation in research. He...

Justice

Court Cases

Minister Sydykov on the Bakai Bank Verdict and Kyrgyzstan’s Economic Path Forward

On April 13 in Washington, D.C., The Times of Central Asia’s Javier M. Piedra spoke with Kyrgyzstan’s Minister of Economy and Commerce, Bakyt Tolomushevich Sydykov, regarding the April 7 verdict in the “Bakai Bank vs. Open Dialogue Foundation” case before the Enterprise Court of Brussels - an important legal win for Kyrgyzstan and its stance in international financial markets. In a verdict with international implications for Kyrgyzstan and the region, the Enterprise Court of Brussels sided with Bakai Bank, a Kyrgyz financial institution, in connection with a high-profile defamation case between Bakai Bank and Open Dialogue Foundation (ODF) – finding...

court case

Kyrgyz Bank Wins Brussels Court Case Over Sanctions Accusations

migrant workers

Uzbekistan Officials Intervene Over Wage Delays for Migrant Workers in Russia

Power Struggle

Kyrgyzstan Faces Elite Realignment as Tashiyev Network Comes Under Pressure

animal welfare

Uzbekistan Drafts New Law to Strengthen Animal Protection

Cyber Fraud

Kazakhstan Announces Crackdown on Counterfeit Cellular Base Station Scheme

Kazakhstan’s Financial Monitoring Agency (AFM) has reported the dismantling of a cyber fraud scheme involving counterfeit cellular base stations. According to the agency, this is the first such case identified in the post-Soviet region. Authorities say the criminal group used the equipment to intercept data on a large scale and send phishing messages. According to the AFM, the attackers used a special device, a so-called SMS blaster that imitated the operation of mobile operator base stations. The device generated a strong signal within a radius of up to 300 meters, causing mobile phones to connect to it automatically and switch...

Crocus City Hall Attack

Second Attack in Moscow Was Planned Alongside Crocus City Hall Assault

Organizers of the deadly attack at the Crocus City Hall concert venue near Moscow had initially planned a second, simultaneous attack in the Russian capital but later abandoned the idea, according to materials from the ongoing investigation cited by TASS. A participant in the court proceedings told the agency that investigators had identified a coordinator operating from abroad, known by the alias Saifullo, who had prepared a group of recruited and trained attackers for two separate operations in Moscow. The second attack was intended to take place at the same time as the assault on Crocus City Hall, with two...

Death in custody

Convicted Crocus City Hall attack Defendant Found Dead in Moscow Detention Center

A man sentenced to life imprisonment in connection with the deadly attack at the Crocus City Hall concert venue near Moscow has died in pretrial detention. Russian authorities said the death is being treated as a suicide. The development was reported by RBC, citing the Federal Penitentiary Service. In a statement reported by RBC, officials said the incident occurred at the Matrosskaya Tishina detention center in Moscow. Medical staff attempted resuscitation, but the efforts were unsuccessful. Authorities added that an internal review has been launched, with results expected in due course. Due to personal data protection laws, officials initially withheld...

Cotton Industry

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 on the conditions faced by cotton and wheat farmers. Her remarks come in the context of a recent joint report by the Uzbek Forum and Human Rights Watch examining structural issues in the agricultural system. While the report has drawn international attention, Niyazova emphasized that its primary focus differs from...

Environment

Environmental Protection

Rosatom to Neutralize Hazardous Chemical Waste at Plant in Kyrgyzstan

Rosatom is set to begin work to eliminate hazardous chemicals stockpiled at the Kristall plant in Tash-Kumyr, in Kyrgyzstan’s Jalal-Abad region. The Kristall plant, built in 1989 as a key facility of the Soviet electronics industry to produce polycrystalline silicon, has since become a high-risk environmental site. Hazardous chemical waste accumulated on its premises poses a threat to both the environment and public health. The plant has been bankrupt since 2010. The site contains 49 tanks holding a total of 155 tons of hazardous chemical residues, including trichlorosilane and silicon tetrachloride. In October 2024, Rosatom conducted a technical audit of...

Climate Change

Central Asia’s Climate Risks Could Cost Up to 130% of GDP by 2080

Air Quality

Air Quality Report Shows Central Asia’s Air Getting Rapidly Worse

Mountains

Kyrgyzstan Elected First Vice-Chair of UN Mountain Partnership

Climate Change

Melting Glaciers Becoming an Increasing Threat to Central Asia’s Resources

Clean Energy

Kazakhstan Climbs 30 Positions in Clean Energy Investment Ranking

Kazakhstan has significantly improved its position in the international Climatescope ranking of clean energy investment attractiveness, rising by 30 places over the past eight years, according to the Ministry of Energy. The country moved from 54th place in 2017 to 24th in 2025 among emerging markets, reflecting the expansion of renewable energy and improvements in the investment climate. The Climatescope ranking assesses countries’ attractiveness for investment in clean energy and decarbonization, analyzing policies, infrastructure, and market potential across more than 100 nations. The study is compiled by BloombergNEF, a research unit of Bloomberg specializing in data and forecasts on the...

Science

A Technology to Reduce Harmful Industrial Emissions Developed in Kazakhstan

Scientists at Aktobe Regional University have developed a new gas purification technology capable of reducing dust and harmful substances in industrial emissions by dozens of times, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Kazakhstan reported. The development is intended for use in the metallurgical, energy, and food industries, as well as in the production of construction materials. The technology is based on an improved regeneration system for bag filters, enabling the cleaning of filter elements from accumulated dust without the need for replacement. This approach helps preserve the filter material, improves purification efficiency, and extends the service life of...

Qosh Tepa Canal

Afghanistan Advances Qosh Tepa Canal While Urging Regional Water Cooperation

Uzbekistan just hosted the Tashkent Water Week forum, and the speaker many wanted to hear from was the representative from Afghanistan. Central Asia and Afghanistan are being hit hard by climate change. This region has endured several droughts already this decade, and indications are that this year will bring drought again. Hanging over the forum was Afghanistan’s plan to complete the Qosh-Tepa Canal in 2028, which will draw water from a river that Central Asian countries also use and further complicate the regional water situation. [caption id="attachment_18865" align="aligncenter" width="1280"] Qosh Tepa Canal, artist's rendition; image: TCA, Aleksandr Potolitsyn[/caption] Our Fair...

Air Quality

Uzbekistan Launches “Clean Air” Project to Cut Pollution by 2030

Uzbekistan has approved a nationwide environmental initiative aimed at improving air quality and reducing pollution over the next five years, according to a presidential decree published on March 25. The decree outlines the implementation of the “Clean Air” national project for 2026-2030. The program sets a target of reducing harmful emissions into the atmosphere by 10.5% and strengthening environmental monitoring across key industrial sectors. Under the plan, enterprises classified as having a significant environmental impact will be required to install automatic monitoring systems, as well as dust and gas purification equipment. The initiative also aims to reduce the number of...

Beyond the Belt and Road: China’s New Playbook in Central Asia

Latest

Features

Features

Arrests, Agreements and the Afghanistan-Pakistan Conflict

Latest

Sunkar Podcast

Arrests, Agreements and the Afghanistan-Pakistan Conflict

Sunkar Podcast

Opinions

Opinions

Javier M. Piedra

Ken Moriyasu

Aidar Borangaziyev

Javier M. Piedra

Dr. Bismillah Mangal

Raza Syed

Aidar Borangaziyev

Mian Nasser Hyatt Maggo & Engineer Arshad H. Abbasi

Dr. Eric Rudenshiold

Javier M. Piedra

Anvar Nazirov

Nilaya Magidish

Business & Economy

Business & Economy

Why Strong Economic Growth in Central Asia Masks Underlying Risks

Kazakhstan Climbs 13 Positions in the World Bank Human Capital Ranking

Tajikistan, Dependent on Sugar Imports, Contends with Price Surge

Russia to Boost Energy Exports to Uzbekistan as Trade Surpasses $13 Billion

IMF Warns of Risks for Rapidly Growing Kyrgyz Economy

Local Politics

Local Politics

Tokayev Congratulates Péter Magyar on Victory in Hungary’s Parliamentary Elections

Kazakh MP Calls for a Legislative Ban on Radical Religious Movements

Opinion – Kazakhstan’s New Constitution Sends a Key Signal for Global Partners

Kazakh Lawmaker Proposes Tougher Penalties for Poaching

Kyrgyzstan Moves Toward Power Consolidation Ahead of 2027 Election

International Affairs

International Affairs

Hungary’s Political Shift Puts Central Asia Partnerships Under Scrutiny

Central Asia Holds Back on Hungary Election as Orbán Era Ends

Russia Signals Readiness to Train Turkmen Cosmonaut

Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan Are Reinforcing the Middle Corridor’s South Caucasus Link

Turkmenistan Opens the Door a Little Wider to Europe

Life & Culture

Life & Culture

Horses, Eagles, and Fire: The Steppe Awakens as the 2026 World Nomad Games Return to Kyrgyzstan

Chess: Sindarov Wins Candidates Contest, Will Face World Champion

Kazakhstan to Introduce AI in Driver’s License Exams

Contemporary Theater in Kazakhstan: Between Tradition and Experiment

Kazakhstani Neurosurgeon Galymzhan Issabekov on Brain Research in Berlin

Justice

Justice

Minister Sydykov on the Bakai Bank Verdict and Kyrgyzstan’s Economic Path Forward