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Kazakhstan reforms ministries in bid to tackle radicalism

2019-02-28

| Religion
Kazakhstan reforms ministries in bid to tackle radicalism

Recent moves in government are aimed at strengthening control over suspicious religious activity across the country, say observers.
EU prepares new Central Asia strategy aimed at improved co-operation

2019-02-27

| Diplomacy
EU prepares new Central Asia strategy aimed at improved co-operation

Plans include having Afghan girls and women study in Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, starting this year.
Calls grow for Russia to pay restitution for Soviet invasion of Afghanistan

2019-02-26

| Diplomacy
Calls grow for Russia to pay restitution for Soviet invasion of Afghanistan

Russia should pay restitution to the Afghan people, rather than meddling in Afghanistan's internal affairs and supporting the Taliban, local officials and analysts say.
Putin issues new threats against West as his popularity wanes at home

2019-02-25

| Security
Putin issues new threats against West as his popularity wanes at home

Russian President Vladimir Putin's state of the nation speech included threats to target 'decision-making centres' amid his lowest approval ratings in years.
Central Asian states eye burgeoning co-operation to resolve regional issues

2019-02-22

| Diplomacy
Central Asian states eye burgeoning co-operation to resolve regional issues

Regional co-operation is being heightened in all areas, and the countries are resolving their biggest regional problems -- security, border demarcation and water use -- on a systemic basis.
US CENTCOM commander confers with Central Asian leaders in Tashkent

2019-02-22

| Security
US CENTCOM commander confers with Central Asian leaders in Tashkent

'Uzbekistan is taking a vital role in advancing security and stability in Central and South Asia,' Gen. Joseph L. Votel, the commander of US Central Command (CENTCOM), said in a statement.
Kremlin conjures up threats to rationalise military presence in Central Asia

2019-02-21

| Security
Kremlin conjures up threats to rationalise military presence in Central Asia

Russia's true goal in strengthening its military presence in Central Asia is to shore up its weakening influence in the region, say analysts.
'Outrageous' Sputnik article is Russia's latest attempt to spread fear in Central Asia

2019-02-20

| Diplomacy
'Outrageous' Sputnik article is Russia's latest attempt to spread fear in Central Asia

Russian news website Sputnik is continuing to publish articles aimed at misleading readers and inciting hatred between the countries of Central Asia and the United States.
Kazakhstan eyes gasoline exports to Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan

2019-02-19

| Energy
Kazakhstan eyes gasoline exports to Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan

Kazakhstan, which now has the ability to meet domestic demand, will soon start exporting between 500,000 and 650,000 tonnes per year.
World Bank helps enhance Central Asian weather, climate and water information

2019-02-18

| Environment
World Bank helps enhance Central Asian weather, climate and water information

The Central Asia Hydrometeorology Modernisation Project has benefited Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan greatly.
Russia revises history of Soviet-Afghan war to justify opposition to West

2019-02-15

| Analysis
Russia revises history of Soviet-Afghan war to justify opposition to West

Thirty years after the end of the USSR's bloody occupation of Afghanistan, some of President Vladimir Putin's cronies are attempting to rewrite that story, analysts say.
Russia's self-serving missile defence plan for Central Asia raises alarms

2019-02-14

| Security
Russia's self-serving missile defence plan for Central Asia raises alarms

A missile defence system that Russia is planning to deploy in Central Asia threatens regional security and empowers the Kremlin, critics say.
US invites Central Asian girls to join intensive technology training programme

2019-02-13

| Education
US invites Central Asian girls to join intensive technology training programme

Twenty-four students from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan will get the opportunity to study programming and cyber security in the United States.
Kazakh authorities foil homegrown terrorist plot in Karaganda

2019-02-12

| Terrorism
Kazakh authorities foil homegrown terrorist plot in Karaganda

The arrest of two men with ties to IS accused of plotting to attack police in Satbayev is the latest move by Kazakh authorities against terrorism.
'It's all lies,' says Kazakh woman who escaped IS in Syria

2019-02-11

| Terrorism
'It's all lies,' says Kazakh woman who escaped IS in Syria

Kazakhs who have seen the true face of 'Islamic State' could help prevent extremism and radicalisation at home, analysts say.
Central Asians grow numb to the Kremlin's propaganda, lies on TV

2019-02-08

| Media
Central Asians grow numb to the Kremlin's propaganda, lies on TV

With pro-Kremlin propaganda rampant on Russian TV and online, Central Asians are turning to local media and trusted websites for political and international news, observers say.
Pope and top Muslim cleric call for freedom of belief, tolerance

2019-02-07

| Religion
Pope and top Muslim cleric call for freedom of belief, tolerance

The joint statement is considered an 'important step forward in the dialogue between Christians and Muslims'.
Kremlin attempts to derail Afghan peace process by hosting new 'talks'

2019-02-06

| Diplomacy
Kremlin attempts to derail Afghan peace process by hosting new 'talks'

A second meeting in Moscow -- this time between Taliban representatives and Afghan opposition politicians -- is yet another attempt by Russia to sabotage the peace process.
Uzbek-US military co-operation takes another step forward

2019-02-05

| Security
Uzbek-US military co-operation takes another step forward

Uzbek troops participated in joint military drills for the first time in the United States, while Defence Minister Abdusalom Azizov met with CENTCOM leadership in Florida.
Russia issues new threats as deadline to save INF Treaty expires

2019-02-04

| Diplomacy
Russia issues new threats as deadline to save INF Treaty expires

The Kremlin plans to fund research and development of new weapons, even as it continues to deny the SSC-8/9M729 cruise missile system violates the landmark nuclear missile treaty.
IS suspect with Uzbek roots describes hunger, desperation before capture in Syria

2019-02-01

| Terrorism
IS suspect with Uzbek roots describes hunger, desperation before capture in Syria

Alexandr Bekmirzaev converted to Islam in Uzbekistan about 20 years ago but became 'radicalised' and 'brainwashed' after going to Syria in 2013.

Newsbriefs

US government to support Uzbek education reform Uzbekistan to host Central Asian summit in April US delegation, Uzbek officials hold annual bilateral consultations in Tashkent Financial protection against natural disasters essential in Central Asia: World Bank US delegation to hold talks in Bishkek, Tashkent At least 460 Kyrgyz in prison for terrorism, extremism Most Kyrgyz citizens see extremism as a threat, according to survey Uzbekistan to build $600 million fertiliser plant New Kazakh-Uzbek co-operation council to tackle energy issues Uzbek foreign trade rose by more than a fourth in January Uzbek Central Bank to introduce 100,000-UZS banknote Specialists gather in Tashkent to discuss regional challenges, opportunities Central Asian states discuss regional migration issues Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan to increase flights beginning in spring Kyrgyz authorities arrest suspected terrorist Uzbekistan's Artel to open refrigerator factory in Dushanbe Trade between Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan grows by 8.6% Central Asian states to discuss financial preparedness for natural disasters Bishkek court convicts man of spreading extremist propaganda Tajikistan seeks repatriation of 75 children from Iraq Tajikistan reveals extent of corruption-related cases in public sector, banking US to help Uzbekistan on new labour code, national qualification system Kyrgyz authorities arrest suspect accused of fighting in Syria Uzbek spy chief leaves office for health reasons Central Asian reporters learn 'conflict-sensitive journalism' at Dushanbe workshop Uzbekistan, EU conclude preliminary talks on enhanced co-operation agreement Kyrgyz authorities arrest foreigner on terrorism charges Uzbek foreign minister denounces anti-US allegations published by Sputnik Tajikistan set to improve irrigation, land reclamation with 6 projects Tajik court convicts Panj District resident of spreading IS propaganda New Tajik bill would bar ex-convicts from civil service US Embassy in Dushanbe opens applications for media exchange programme Russian defence minister calls for new missiles as Moscow kills off INF Treaty Kyrgyz authorities detain 2 suspected terrorists Kyrgyz authorities detain citizen suspected of transporting militants to Syria Tajikistan launches government hotline on religious issues Uzbekistan enacts visa-free entry for citizens of 45 countries Uzbekistan reinstates political science in universities after 4-year ban Tajik policeman sentenced to 13 years for committing torture