Caravanserai
  2. Politics

    2022-07-01

    Russia-backed militias in Syria feel the pinch as focus shifts to Ukraine

    As funding and support dry up amid the Ukraine war, members of Russia-backed militias have defected, some joining Iran-aligned groups.

  3. Economy

    2022-06-29

    Kremlin's efforts to inflate ruble harm Russian economy, Kazakh businesses

    An artificially inflated ruble threatens huge losses for Russian exporters and means the goods and raw materials that Kazakhstan buys from Russia will become more expensive.

  4. Terrorism

    2022-06-28

    Increased terror-related activity in Uzbekistan prompts calls for integrated approach

    The arrests of at least 250 suspects so far this year are concerning given that Uzbek authorities made 400 extremism-related arrests during all of last year.

Should Central Asian states help Russia avoid Western sanctions?

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Spotlight

Russian lawmaker floats idea of Ukraine-style invasion of Kazakhstan

Duma member Konstantin Zatulin warned of potential 'territorial issues' in Kazakhstan's northern provinces after President Tokayev refused to recognise Russia-occupied areas in Ukraine.

Russian lawmaker floats idea of Ukraine-style invasion of Kazakhstan
  1. Society

    2022-06-27

    'We're not giving up': Life returns to war-ravaged Irpin

    Residents and businesses are returning to Irpin, which saw more than half of its buildings destroyed at the start of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

  2. Politics

    2022-06-24

    Russian lawmaker floats idea of Ukraine-style invasion of Kazakhstan

    Duma member Konstantin Zatulin warned of potential 'territorial issues' in Kazakhstan's northern provinces after President Tokayev refused to recognise Russia-occupied areas in Ukraine.

  3. Society

    2022-06-23

    Russian replacement for McDonald's launches to online derision

    'Life in Russia is getting worse in all areas,' an emigre in Kazakhstan said of changes like the hasty creation of the Vkusno i tochka restaurant chain.

  1. Politics

    2022-06-22

    Assad regime helps Russia, Iran corral vulnerable Syrian mercenaries

    Aided by the regime of Bashar al-Assad, Russian and Iranian recruiters are lining up mercenaries to fight in their wars in Ukraine and Yemen, preying on desperate Syrian youth.

  2. Diplomacy

    2022-06-22

    US applauds Tajikistan's efforts hosting Afghan refugees

    The US Embassy in Dushanbe marked World Refugee Day with Afghan and Tajik music, food and art and commended Tajikistan's willingness to help its neighbours.

  3. Economy

    2022-06-21

    Food prices surge in Uzbekistan in wake of Russian aggression in Ukraine

    Flour is up more than 50% and sugar has doubled. In the first four months of 2022, the cost of food imports grew by 48.9% or $370.2 million.

  4. Human Rights

    2022-06-21

    Russian Nobel laureate sells medal to help displaced Ukrainian children

    Profits from the sale of the medal awarded to Novaya Gazeta editor-in-chief Dmitry Muratov, which fetched $103.5 million, will go to UNICEF.

  5. Security

    2022-06-20

    US CENTCOM commander holds security talks in Central Asia

    CENTCOM's new commander has talked to leaders in Tajikistan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan in recent weeks.

  6. Economy

    2022-06-17

    'Blackmail': Russia threatens world famine with blockade of Ukraine

    Moscow is demanding sanctions be scrapped in exchange for re-opening Ukrainian seaports. At the same time, Russian forces are looting and selling Ukrainian grain, observers say.

  7. Politics

    2022-06-17

    Imperial ambitions: Putin twists Peter the Great's vision for Russia

    Despite increasing global isolation over the war in Ukraine, Kremlin officials insist Peter the Great's vision for Russia as a 'window to Europe' remains open.

  8. Media

    2022-06-16

    European bans on Russia propaganda renew calls for similar moves in Kyrgyzstan

    Latvia and Moldova are among the countries banning Russian news programmes. In Kyrgyzstan, the public and officials are displeased with the flow of disinformation from Russian TV channels.

  9. Economy

    2022-06-16

    Russia's invasion of Ukraine causes livestock die-off in Kazakhstan

    Moscow's unprovoked war in Ukraine deprived Kazakh farmers of access to Russian and Ukrainian livestock vaccines -- another deadly consequence of the invasion.

  10. Security

    2022-06-15

    Taiwan bristles over China's aggression, emboldened by Russia's invasion of Ukraine

    Russia's war in Ukraine has served as an ugly reminder of what could happen if China follows through on its threats against Taiwan, observers say.

  11. Business

    2022-06-15

    Afghan port sees hike in trade with Uzbekistan

    Exports from the port in Balkh province, Afghanistan, have increased by 82% in recent months, bringing with it an increase in revenue, which is added to the state's coffers, authorities say.

  12. Economy

    2022-06-14

    Plummeting earning power in Russia forces many migrants home

    The consequences of Russian aggression in Ukraine have left tens of thousands of Central Asian migrants without jobs or the pay that their families need.

  13. Security

    2022-06-14

    China's drone carrier hints at aggressive territorial ambitions

    China's Zhu Hai Yun drone carrier is an imposing and provocative threat in the Pacific Ocean, where Beijing aims to cement territorial claims, analysts say.

  14. Human Rights

    2022-06-13

    Passports at gunpoint: Russia begins forced passportisation in occupied Ukraine

    'Those who refuse [to take Russian passports] may be beaten, intimidated or even killed,' said one human rights defender.

  15. Politics

    2022-06-10

    Uzbek cartoonist protests Russian aggression against Ukraine with satire

    'Civilians and children are dying in Ukraine now. Cities have been destroyed. The entire world condemns this aggression, and so do I,' Makhmud Eshonkulov said.

  16. Religion

    2022-06-09

    Latest Ukraine schism signals end of Russian Orthodox Church dominance

    The loss of influence stemming from Russia's invasion of Ukraine is a major blow to the Moscow Patriarchate, say analysts.

  17. Science & Technology

    2022-06-09

    Ukraine war has shown Russia unexpectedly poor at cyberwar

    Cybersecurity experts had expected a 'cyber Pearl Harbor' in Ukraine, but little has materialised. Meanwhile, Russia has been hit with a series of embarrassing cyber-attacks in recent months.

  18. Human Rights

    2022-06-08

    Prigozhin fails to dodge culpability as Wagner continues killing civilians worldwide

    A top EU court rejected Yevgeny Prigozhin's bid to overturn sanctions amid growing evidence of war crimes committed by Russian mercenaries.

  19. Refugees

    2022-06-08

    Ukrainians in shock after being forced into Russian territory by gunpoint

    'How can you go to a country that wants to kill you?' asked one Ukrainian woman forced to flee Mariupol with her young daughter.

  20. Economy

    2022-06-07

    Kazakhstan eyes Trans-Caspian route to avoid transport through Russia

    Transporting goods through Russia has been increasingly difficult in recent months due to the fallout from Moscow's Ukraine war. Regional countries are beginning to look elsewhere.

  21. Politics

    2022-06-06

    US delegation visit to Central Asia draws ire of Kremlin amid Ukraine fallout

    Moscow views such delegations with alarm, especially as Central Asian countries continue to refuse to side with Russia in regard to its invasion of Ukraine.