The Times Of Central Asia | Eurasian Publication & News Online

Maksat Meredov, a citizen of Turkmenistan who had been fighting on the Russian side in Ukraine, surrendered to the Ukrainian Armed Forces by signaling a drone with a white flag. The drone operator guided him toward Ukrainian positions. According to the drone operator from the Ukrainian Pomsta (“Revenge”) brigade, military...

Political Reforms

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

Tajik-Afghan Border

Tajik Border Troops Kill Three Afghans Suspected of Opium Smuggling

Ministerial Dismissals

Uzbekistan Fires Counter-Narcotics Chief as Drug Trade Surges

Banking

Kazakhstan’s Banking System and the Logic of Early Enforcement

Podcast

Spotlight on Central Asia: New Episode Available Now with Eduards Stiprais, EU Special Representative for Central Asia

Sunkar Podcast

Central Asia and the Troubled Southern Route

00:00 / 00:00

Opinions

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

Opinion: Prospects for Central Asia’s Access to Persian Gulf Infrastructure

Timur Serikuly

Opinion: Is Uzbekistan Importing a Future Crisis?

William Cui

Opinion: Kazakhstan Bets Big on AI to Power Local and Global Growth

Altair Akhmetov

Opinion: After the UN Gaza Resolution – Kazakhstan’s Potential Role

Timur Serikuly

Opinion: Abraham Accords Can Help Kazakhstan Reshape Its Energy Future

Dr. Robert M. Cutler

Opinion: Kazakhstan’s Electoral Reforms – Why Officials and Experts Are Reconsidering Local Democracy

Andrei Matveev

Opinion: Central Asia Is Consolidating Its Role as a Full-Fledged Actor in Global Processes

Mavlon Bobokhonov

Opinion: Multi-Vectorism 2.0 – Kazakhstan Seeks Balance in a Shifting Geopolitical Landscape

Timur Serikuly

Opinion: The Integration of Afghanistan into Central Asia

Dr. M. Assem Mayar

Business & Economy

Nuclear Power Plant

Kazakhstan Has Selected a Site for Its Second Nuclear Power Plant

The Kazakh government has approved the location for its second nuclear power plant. According to an official decree, the facility will be constructed in the Zhambyl district of the Almaty region, adjacent to the site selected for the country's first nuclear plant. The Ministry of Justice published Government Resolution No. 40, dated January 26, 2026, titled On the Construction and Construction Site of the Nuclear Facility “Second Nuclear Power Plant”, in the Adilet system of regulatory legal acts. The resolution came into effect on the day of its signing. Nuclear projects typically proceed through feasibility studies, environmental review, and financing...

Banking

Kyrgyzstan Intends to Reduce the Storage Period for Negative Credit Information

Household debt

Household Debt Persists Despite Lending Slowdown in Kazakhstan

Tax administration

Kyrgyzstan Launches Unified Digital Tax Platform

Tax Reform

Tax Reform in Kazakhstan Could Lead to Drug Shortages

Waste Recycling

Italian Firm Explores Waste Recycling Projects in Kyrgyzstan

On February 2, the National Investment Agency under the President of the Kyrgyz Republic hosted representatives from Italian company TRITOR S.R.L., a firm known for its environmentally friendly waste recycling technologies, to discuss potential pilot projects in Kyrgyzstan. The meeting brought together officials from Kyrgyz municipal governments and the Ministry of Health to explore investment opportunities focused on processing municipal solid waste and medical waste. Participants also discussed candidate locations for future recycling facilities. Following the talks, the parties signed a memorandum of cooperation outlining several pilot initiatives. These include the processing of up to 200 tons of unsorted household...

Drone production

Kazakhstan to Launch Drone Production at Correctional Facility in Akmola Region

A correctional facility in Kazakhstan’s Akmola Region is preparing to launch full-cycle production of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), according to Yermek Shurmanov, director of Enbek, a state-owned enterprise operating under the country’s penal system. A renovated hangar in the settlement of Arshaly, the administrative center of Arshaly District in Kazakhstan’s Akmola Region, has already been equipped with machinery needed to manufacture drone airframes, circuit boards, and develop onboard software. Enbek oversees employment programs for inmates housed in penal institutions under the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Kazakhstan has 78 such facilities, holding around 23,000 able-bodied convicts. Of these, more than 18,000...

Banking

Kazakhstan’s Banking System and the Logic of Early Enforcement

Kazakhstan’s growth model depends on uninterrupted access to international finance. Because its largest energy and mining projects rely on foreign capital, hard-currency financing, and offshore banking channels, confidence in the integrity of its banking system is not just a regulatory issue; it is a macroeconomic constraint. This reliance is structural. Export revenues are concentrated in globally-priced commodities—especially oil (up to 60% of total exports in recent years), and uranium (40%+ of global output)—linking fiscal stability directly to hard-currency liquidity and correspondent banking access. In that context, correspondent banking is a systemic requirement underpinning international payments and trade. Because international banks...

Energy Infrastructure

Why Workers Are Leaving the Çalık Enerji Power Plant Construction Site in Turkmenistan

One of Turkmenistan’s largest combined-cycle power plants is currently under construction on the Caspian coast. Despite offering record-high wages by local standards, the site is experiencing persistent staff turnover. The project is being led by the Turkish company Çalık Enerji, which is building a 1,574 MW combined-cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power plant in the village of Kiyanly in Turkmenistan’s Balkan region. While the workforce is largely made up of local residents, retaining staff has proven difficult. According to former workers, even unskilled laborers can earn up to $2,856 per month, an exceptionally high salary for the region. This has attracted...

Local Politics

Political Reforms

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

On January 20, 2026, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the President of Kazakhstan, addressed the nation at a session of the National Kurultai, an age-old platform for public dialogue, akin to a wise men’s council – at any rate, that’s how it’s often billed. To no one’s surprise, Tokayev pressed ahead with his stated agenda of political reform, highlighting foreign, economic, and development policies and goals. While not devoid of interest, those parts of the speech felt like little more than window dressing that tended to obscure the address’s underlying fire and true import. Tokayev’s oration seemed at points to echo Alexis de...

Kyrgyz-Uzbek border

Kyrgyzstan Seeks End to Extra Transit Fees for Its Citizens Crossing Uzbekistan

Corruption

Uzbekistan Uncovers Large-Scale Corruption, Files Charges Against Senior Interior Officials

Parliamentary Reform

Analysis: Three Decades of Parliamentary Reform in Central Asia — and What Changed

Transport Infrastructure

European Investment Bank to Allocate €100 Million for Tajikistan’s Transport Infrastructure Upgrade

Road Safety

Kyrgyzstan Suspends Private Driving Schools in Bid to Improve Road Safety

Kyrgyzstan has temporarily suspended the operations of all private driving schools as part of a sweeping reform aimed at improving driver education and road safety. On January 29, President Sadyr Japarov signed a decree introducing a trial period, effective until August 30, 2026, during which driver training will be conducted exclusively through state-run driving schools. The reform also mandates a significant extension of the training period from the current 2.5 months to 10 months. Authorities say the new measures are designed to reduce traffic accidents and eliminate corruption in the issuance of driver's licenses. As of 2025, Kyrgyzstan had 340...

Urban development

Bishkek Unveils New Master Plan for 2050

Kyrgyz authorities have submitted a draft law outlining a new master plan for the development of Bishkek through 2050, now open for public discussion. The document defines long-term priorities for the capital's growth across several sectors, including transport infrastructure, environmental management, economic development, and spatial expansion. Once adopted, the plan will become the principal framework for territorial planning and will be legally binding for decisions related to construction and land use. According to the draft, Bishkek's official population is expected to rise from 1.3 million to 1.9 million by 2050. However, the city is already believed to house approximately 2...

Nipah Virus

Kyrgyzstan Bans Animal Imports from India to Prevent Nipah Virus Spread

On January 28, Kyrgyzstan’s Veterinary Service imposed temporary restrictions on the import of live animals and animal products from India in response to confirmed cases of Nipah virus infections. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Nipah virus is a severe zoonotic disease transmitted to humans through contact with infected animals, such as fruit bats or pigs, or through consumption of food contaminated by bat secretions. Human-to-human transmission is also possible through close contact. The virus has an estimated case-fatality rate of 40% to 75%. Two confirmed cases of Nipah virus were reported in late December in India’s eastern state...

Healthcare

Kazakh Science Ministry Expands Strategic Partnership with AstraZeneca

Kazakhstan has entered a new phase of cooperation with British-Swedish pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca, expanding the partnership beyond healthcare into science, education, and innovation. On January 26, Minister of Science and Higher Education Sayasat Nurbek visited AstraZeneca’s Discovery Centre in Cambridge, the company’s largest global research and innovation hub, where a memorandum of understanding was signed with AstraZeneca Kazakhstan. According to the ministry, the agreement paves the way for new areas of collaboration aimed at strengthening national scientific capacity, introducing advanced medical technologies, and enhancing the long-term sustainability of Kazakhstan’s healthcare system. The partnership will focus on several strategic areas: Real-World...

International Affairs

Russian Media

Rhetoric, Disinformation, and Regional Responses: Central Asia Reacts to Debates in the Russian Media Space

In recent months, a series of sharp and at times openly threatening statements circulating within the Russian media space have drawn growing attention in Central Asia. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, rhetoric targeting several Central Asian states has become increasingly frequent on Russian television and social platforms, raising concern among analysts and the public over issues of sovereignty, coercive tactics, and broader regional security. Russian officials have repeatedly stressed that commentary aired on television talk shows or circulated on social media does not necessarily reflect official state policy. Moscow has, on several occasions, distanced itself from...

Ukraine

Turkmenistan Citizen Fighting for Russia in Ukraine Surrenders to Ukrainian Drone

Mirziyoyev in Turkey

Uzbekistan and Turkey Set $5 Billion Trade Target at Strategic Council Meeting in Ankara

Jackson-Vanik Amendment

Jackson-Vanik Repeal Gains Momentum as U.S. Courts Central Asia

Official Visit

Astana–Israel Talks Span Technology, Trade, and Holocaust Remembrance

Migration Policy

Uzbek Migration Agency Clarifies Legal Status Rules for Citizens in Turkey

Uzbekistan’s Migration Agency has issued an official clarification in response to social media posts and Telegram channel reports claiming that Uzbek citizens are no longer being deported from Turkey. The agency stated that such interpretations are misleading and do not reflect existing agreements or procedures. According to the agency, the issue at hand is not the cancellation of deportations, but rather the possibility of legalizing migration status strictly within the boundaries of Turkey’s current legal framework. “Responsibility for illegal stay and violations of migration law in Türkiye remains in force,” the agency said, urging citizens to rely exclusively on official...

Tajik-Afghan Border

Tajik Border Troops Kill Three Afghans Suspected of Opium Smuggling

An armed clash occurred on the evening of January 29 along the Tajik-Afghan border, in Tajikistan's Shamsiddin Shokhin district, as local border forces intercepted an attempted drug smuggling operation. According to the Border Troops of the State Committee for National Security (GKNB), the incident occurred around 7:30 p.m. in the area overseen by the Bahorak border post of military unit 0341. The GKNB reported that five Afghan nationals illegally crossed into Tajikistan. Once the group was located, border guards attempted to apprehend them. The intruders resisted arrest and opened fire in an attempt to retreat across the border. In the...

U.S.-Kazakhstan Relations

Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Yermek Kosherbayev in Washington: Critical Minerals Cooperation

Foreign Minister Yermek Kosherbayev will travel to Washington, DC, to attend the Critical Minerals Ministerial on 3–4 February. A meeting with the Department of State and other rare earth element (REE) supplier countries will take place on 3 February. This will be Kosherbayev’s first official visit to the United States as foreign minister. A career diplomat, he assumed office on 26 September 2025. Prior to his appointment as foreign minister, he served as Kazakhstan’s ambassador to the Russian Federation, governor of the East Kazakhstan Region, and, earlier in 2025, as deputy prime minister, combining senior diplomatic experience with executive and...

Official Visit

Kazakhstan and Israel Deepen Cooperation in Astana

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar’s official visit to Astana on January 27, 2026, was the first by an Israeli foreign minister to Kazakhstan in 16 years, and it yielded a package of institutional and economic steps. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev received Sa’ar and Foreign Minister Yermek Kosherbayev, holding talks that both sides framed as elevating cooperation to a new level. The two foreign ministries signed documents on diplomatic training and public diplomacy, and agreed to pursue visa-free travel for holders of ordinary passports. A Kazakhstan–Israel business forum convened in parallel, with January–November 2025 trade of about US$162.4 million cited as the...

Life & Culture

Higher Education

Tajikistan Admits Over 600 Students Following Expulsion or Entry Denial in Russia

More than 6,000 applicants from Tajikistan were admitted to Russian universities in 2025, signaling that Russia is still the primary destination for Tajik students pursuing higher education abroad. The figures were announced by Tajikistan’s Minister of Education and Science, Rahim Saidzoda, during a press conference, according to Russia’s state news agency TASS. Saidzoda reported that during the 2025-2026 academic year, a total of 6,665 Tajik applicants enrolled in foreign universities. Of these, 551 chose destinations other than Russia, while more than 6,000 began their studies at Russian institutions. Admissions took place both through government-allocated quotas and standard entry procedures. At...

China

Kyrgyzstan and China to Launch Direct Flight Between Osh and Kashgar

Chess

Tata Steel Chess Contest Has A New Champion – From Uzbekistan

Kazakh Art

Unbent, Unbowed, Unbroken: The Art of Saule Suleimenova

Champions League

Kairat Fall In the Champions League but New-Look Kazakh Football Is on the Up

Football

Turkmen Football Fans Moved to Worse Seats for Match with Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr

Fans who have bought tickets to the upcoming Asian Champions League match between Turkmenistan's Arkadag and Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nassr on February 11 have been informed, sometimes repeatedly, that their seats are being changed to make room for “organized support” groups. According to a source in Ashgabat, notifications are being sent via users’ personal accounts on ticketing platforms. The vacated sections, the source said, are being allocated to students who are reportedly being trained in advance to provide choreographed support for the home team. Affected spectators are often offered seats with worse visibility, and in many cases, fans, especially families and...

Podcast

Spotlight on Central Asia: New Episode Available Now with Eduards Stiprais, EU Special Representative for Central Asia

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 of The Red Line, each fortnightly instalment will take you on a deep dive into the latest news, developments, security issues, and social trends across an increasingly pivotal region. This week, the team is joined by the EU Special Representative for Central Asia, Eduards Stiprais, to discuss connectivity, critical minerals,...

Kazakhstan Tennis

Kazakhstan’s Rybakina Wins Australian Open, Her Second Major

Elena Rybakina became the first player from Kazakhstan to win the Australian Open on Saturday, defeating world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 in the final in Melbourne. Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, didn’t drop a set on her way to the final, capitalizing on her big serve and aggressive groundstrokes. She was down 0-3 in the third set against Sabalenka, but then won five consecutive games and closed out the match with an ace. She raised her arms in triumph and, after a brief embrace with the Belarusian at the net, jogged to her box to acknowledge her team....

Nyshanbek Zhubanaev

Kazakhstan-Based Actor Nyshanbek Zhubanaev on His Journey, Faith, and the Future of Cinema

Nyshanbek Zhubanaev is a professional actor, a graduate of the T.K. Zhurgenov Kazakh National Academy of Arts, and a rising star of series such as Sheker, 1286, and Munai. His path into acting, however, did not begin with red carpets or casting calls, but at a phosphorus plant. Taking a leap of faith to escape a life he describes as scripted by others, Zhubanaev pursued his childhood dream with persistence and conviction. In an interview with The Times of Central Asia, he reflects on his first steps in cinema, the role of faith, inner conflict, and why, for him, humanity...

Justice

Ministerial Dismissals

Uzbekistan Fires Counter-Narcotics Chief as Drug Trade Surges

In late January, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev sacked a series of high-ranking officials in the Interior Ministry, National Guard, and the Emergency Situations Ministry. Their dismissals for corruption overshadowed the firing of the director of the Agency for Control of Narcotics and Illegal Firearms, who was let go for failing badly to combat illegal trafficking and use of drugs. Poor Results Ravshan Mamatov was appointed director of the National Center for Narcotics Control in August 2024. In July 2025, a presidential decree transformed the center into the Agency for Control of Narcotics and Illegal Firearms. On January 27, President Mirziyoyev...

Karachaganak

Shell and Eni Face Up to $4 Billion Payout to Kazakhstan After Arbitration Ruling

Criminal justice reform

Uzbekistan Proposes Tougher Penalties for Violence Against Women and Children

Russia

Uzbek Citizen Sentenced to Life in Russia Over Killing of Russian General Kirillov

Drug Trafficking

Former Head of Turkmen Railways on Trial in Russia Over Alleged Drug Smuggling

Alisher Usmanov

German Court Restricts Media Claims About Russian-Uzbek Billionaire Alisher Usmanov

A German court has ruled in favor of Russian-Uzbek billionaire Alisher Usmanov, barring the publication of several contested statements made about him by the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ), according to court documents cited by Reuters. In a decision dated January 23, the Hamburg Regional Court prohibited FAZ from further disseminating specific sections of its April 2023 article titled On the Kremlin’s Instructions. The statements in question allegedly linked Usmanov to senior Russian officials. The court determined that these claims may no longer be repeated in their current form. Usmanov, who was born in Uzbekistan, has an estimated net worth of...

Protests

Killing of Uzbek Migrant Woman in Istanbul Sparks Protests in Turkey

The killing of an Uzbek migrant woman in central Istanbul has sparked protests in Istanbul and Ankara, and reignited debate over violence against women, the safety of migrants, and the effectiveness of state protection mechanisms. The body of a 36-year-old Uzbek national was discovered on January 24 in a waste container in Istanbul’s Şişli district, one of the city’s busiest areas. According to Turkish media reports, the body was found by a person collecting recyclable materials, who immediately alerted the authorities. Police later confirmed that the victim had been wrapped in bedding material and that parts of her body were...

Criminal Investigation

Olympic Boxing Champion Serik Sapiyev Assaulted by Deputy

A criminal case has been opened in Kazakhstan following the assault of Olympic boxing champion Serik Sapiyev by his deputy, Dauren Esimkhanov, in the Karaganda region’s Department of Physical Culture and Sports. The incident has triggered public outcry and intensified scrutiny of internal dynamics within the regional sports administration. Sapiyev, who currently heads the department, stated that the altercation was work-related. While the regional administration urged the public and media not to draw premature conclusions, it acknowledged that Esimkhanov had committed an offense and must be held accountable. A native of Karaganda, Sapiyev rose to prominence after winning gold in...

Cyber Security

Kazakhstan Considers Criminal Liability for Mass Leaks of Personal Data

Kazakhstan is considering tightening legal responsibility for violations related to personal data protection. The Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development has proposed introducing criminal liability for mass leaks of citizens' personal data, along with a significant increase in administrative fines for failing to comply with information security requirements. The proposal was announced by Rostislav Konyashkin, First Deputy Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development, during a government meeting. According to Konyashkin, Kazakhstan is adopting a “zero tolerance” policy regarding the mishandling of personal digital data. “In implementing the constitutional rights of citizens to privacy and the protection of personal...

Environment

Qosh Tepa Canal

Opinion – Qosh Tepa Canal: Transboundary Impacts Without a Transboundary Mechanism

In recent months, media attention has increasingly focused on infrastructure projects underway in Afghanistan. Chief among them is the Qosh Tepa Canal, widely seen not only as an irrigation initiative but as a development with significant transboundary implications for the Amu Darya River basin. The canal draws water from one of Central Asia’s most critical transboundary rivers. For downstream countries, primarily Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, the Amu Darya is a vital water source, directly linked to agricultural output and the sustainability of rural communities. As such, the conversation surrounding Qosh Tepa extends well beyond Afghanistan’s domestic agenda. Concerns voiced by experts...

Air Pollution

Bishkek’s Air Pollution Crisis Comes Under Parliamentary Scrutiny

Northern Aral Sea Rescue Project

Astana Accelerates Northern Aral Sea Recovery Plan

Environment

Public Hearing Set for Sea Breeze Uzbekistan Project Near Charvak Lake

Air Pollution

Tashkent Choked by Smog: What 2025 Revealed and How Residents Are Responding

Water Conservation

Kazakhstan’s Water Ministry Approves Roadmap to Eliminate the “Black Market” for Water

Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, in coordination with the General Prosecutor's Office, has unveiled a comprehensive action plan to combat illegal water abstraction, commonly referred to as the “black market” for water. The roadmap was presented at an interdepartmental meeting earlier this week. The plan outlines systematic measures, including a nationwide audit of water resources, the mapping of regions vulnerable to illegal abstraction, and a review of state funding allocated for water infrastructure development. It also calls for the adoption of water-saving technologies and the implementation of anti-corruption mechanisms. Interdepartmental working groups will be established at both national...

TCA Interviews

Attempting to Build a Litter-Free Kazakhstan: An Interview with Ecologist Kamila Akimbekova

Ten years ago, waste recycling in Almaty was largely the domain of individual enthusiasts. Today, environmental campaigns draw thousands, and conversations about responsible consumption have become part of daily life for many city residents. One of the pioneers of this movement is Kamila Akimbekova, an eco-influencer and co-organizer of environmental initiatives. In an interview with The Times of Central Asia, she reflects on the evolution of Almaty’s eco-community, the principles behind the zero waste concept, and how small, consistent changes can reshape a city. TCA: Kamila, you had a successful career in banking. What prompted your transition to environmental activism? ...

Waste

Tajikistan Is Drowning in Plastic: Inside a Waste System Under Strain

According to domestic sector-specific sources, more than nine million tonnes of municipal solid waste (MSW) are generated annually in Tajikistan, of which around 322,000 tonnes is plastic. The key feature of plastic waste is its extreme resistance to decomposition; it can persist in natural environments for decades or even centuries, accumulating in soil and water bodies. However, estimates of total waste generation vary widely depending on the source, with international organizations offering more conservative figures. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), for instance, reports approximately two million tonnes of formally collected municipal waste generated annually in Tajikistan. This discrepancy is...

Syr Darya River

Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan to Install Hydro Posts on Syr Darya River

Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are moving forward with the installation of ten automated hydro posts along the Syr Darya River, five in each country, as part of a joint initiative to enhance transparency and accuracy in transboundary water accounting and distribution for irrigation. The project is supported by the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ). The initiative was a key item on the agenda during a January 19 meeting between Kazakhstan’s Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, Nurzhan Nurzhigitov, and Uzbekistan’s Minister of Water Resources, Shavkat Khamrayev, held in the Kazakh city of Turkestan. The Syr Darya River is critical for...

Rhetoric, Disinformation, and Regional Responses: Central Asia Reacts to Debates in the Russian Media Space

Latest

Features

Features

Latest

Sunkar Podcast

Sunkar Podcast

Opinions

Opinions

Javier M. Piedra

Anvar Nazirov

Nilaya Magidish

Timur Serikuly

William Cui

Altair Akhmetov

Timur Serikuly

Dr. Robert M. Cutler

Andrei Matveev

Mavlon Bobokhonov

Timur Serikuly

Dr. M. Assem Mayar

Business & Economy

Business & Economy

Kazakhstan Has Selected a Site for Its Second Nuclear Power Plant

Italian Firm Explores Waste Recycling Projects in Kyrgyzstan

Kazakhstan to Launch Drone Production at Correctional Facility in Akmola Region

Kazakhstan’s Banking System and the Logic of Early Enforcement

Why Workers Are Leaving the Çalık Enerji Power Plant Construction Site in Turkmenistan

Local Politics

Local Politics

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

Kyrgyzstan Suspends Private Driving Schools in Bid to Improve Road Safety

Bishkek Unveils New Master Plan for 2050

Kyrgyzstan Bans Animal Imports from India to Prevent Nipah Virus Spread

Kazakh Science Ministry Expands Strategic Partnership with AstraZeneca

International Affairs

International Affairs

Rhetoric, Disinformation, and Regional Responses: Central Asia Reacts to Debates in the Russian Media Space

Uzbek Migration Agency Clarifies Legal Status Rules for Citizens in Turkey

Tajik Border Troops Kill Three Afghans Suspected of Opium Smuggling

Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Yermek Kosherbayev in Washington: Critical Minerals Cooperation

Kazakhstan and Israel Deepen Cooperation in Astana

Life & Culture

Life & Culture

Tajikistan Admits Over 600 Students Following Expulsion or Entry Denial in Russia

Turkmen Football Fans Moved to Worse Seats for Match with Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr

Spotlight on Central Asia: New Episode Available Now with Eduards Stiprais, EU Special Representative for Central Asia

Kazakhstan’s Rybakina Wins Australian Open, Her Second Major

Kazakhstan-Based Actor Nyshanbek Zhubanaev on His Journey, Faith, and the Future of Cinema

Justice

Justice

Uzbekistan Fires Counter-Narcotics Chief as Drug Trade Surges