Caravanserai
  2. Economy

    2022-11-29

    EU seeks to help Central Asia reduce dependence on Russia

    Central Asia is now 'in the middle of everything', said EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell.

  3. Technology

    2022-11-29

    Top US commander sees drones as game-changing force in global security

    CENTCOM commander Gen. Michael 'Erik' Kurilla said a US-led task force will deploy more than 100 unmanned vessels in the Gulf region's waters in the next year to stave off maritime threats.

  4. Society

    2022-11-28

    Anger over Ukraine invasion prompts Kazakhs to cancel events of Russian 'Z-stars'

    'Putin's supporters ... are unwelcome guests in Kazakhstan,' said one blogger as protests against the bloodshed in Ukraine have intensified as of late.

How should Central Asia respond to China's growing influence in the region as Russia's influence fades?

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Spotlight

Chinese automakers enter Central Asia with eye on ousting Russian competitors

Chinese manufacturers are taking advantage of Western sanctions on Russia, and with aggressively low prices and few other options, car buyers are now considering the Chinese models.

Chinese automakers enter Central Asia with eye on ousting Russian competitors
  1. Human Rights

    2022-11-28

    Deadly fire in Xinjiang spotlights China's mistreatment of Muslims

    Many contend that the victims were not rescued in time because they were Muslims and lived in a Uighur-majority neighbourhood in Xinjiang.

  2. Analysis

    2022-11-25

    Retreat from Kherson begs the question: Is Russia going to lose Ukraine war?

    While Russian forces have previously lost much larger swathes of territory, the expulsion from Kherson was a strategic setback and even the recapture of Crimea by Ukraine is being discussed.

  3. Security

    2022-11-24

    'Double occupation': Russian troops, dependent junta in Belarus

    President Alyaksandr Lukashenka essentially has ceded control of Belarus to the Kremlin, say experts.

  1. Security

    2022-11-24

    With mounting losses, Russia recruits former Afghan forces to fight in Ukraine

    Recruiters are targeting former Afghan security forces living in Afghanistan and Iran, and leveraging desperate economic situations to convince the soldiers to fight in Ukraine.

  2. Security

    2022-11-23

    Expulsion of Russian spies in Europe deals strategic blow to Kremlin intelligence

    Even as European authorities drive out Russian spies from their nations -- more than 600 Russian officials this year -- the primary front against Russian intelligence is still in Ukraine.

  3. Crime & Justice

    2022-11-23

    War crimes allegations mount as winter threatens Ukrainians

    Evidence is mounting that Russian invaders committed systematic war crimes in every region of Ukraine that they occupied.

  4. Security

    2022-11-23

    US military maintains unparalleled aircraft refueling capabilities worldwide

    Whether unilaterally or in co-ordination with partner nations, the US military is able to refuel aircraft in flight with hundreds of tankers, extending its power wherever it is needed.

  5. Security

    2022-11-22

    Russian mines in Ukraine 'greatest challenge' to landmark ban treaty, says monitor

    The Landmine and Cluster Munition Monitor identified 277 civilian casualties of mines and explosives in Ukraine in the first nine months of 2022.

  6. Terrorism

    2022-11-21

    Wagner's expanding activities, recruitment point to Prigozhin's ambitions

    Prigozhin is making the Wagner Group a full-fledged army to serve his own interests, say observers, and his efforts are stirring up conflict with Russia's military leadership.

  7. Security

    2022-11-21

    Tehran, Moscow agree to manufacture drones in Russia for Ukraine war

    New intelligence reveals Iran has agreed to help Russia build weaponised drones, with production potentially beginning within months.

  8. Environment

    2022-11-18

    Russia's control of Ural river sets stage for environmental catastrophe in Kazakhstan

    In recent years, the water level of the river -- already shallow -- has been dropping, and Russia is planning to build another dam without the consent of its southern neighbour.

  9. Security

    2022-11-18

    Russia ultimately to blame for Poland missile blasts, say Western officials

    Russia is being blamed by a host of nations for the death and destruction this week in Poland, as the accident occurred while the Kremlin was waging its continued campaign of terror in Ukraine.

  10. Terrorism

    2022-11-18

    'Harbouring murderers': Russia protects perpetrators of MH17 downing

    Russians Igor Girkin and Sergei Dubinsky and Ukrainian Leonid Kharchenko were found guilty in absentia of shooting down the plane with a Russian missile, killing all 298 passengers on board.

  11. Human Rights

    2022-11-18

    Researchers say Chinese spyware targets Muslims through apps

    The spyware enabled hackers to collect sensitive data including a user's location, contacts, call logs, text messages and files, a report said, and could also take photos and record calls.

  12. Analysis

    2022-11-17

    Russia carries out familiar subterfuge in Moldova with FSB support for protests

    Analysts see Kremlin-backed machinations afoot in Moldova, which is trying to break free of Moscow.

  13. Business

    2022-11-17

    Chinese automakers enter Central Asia with eye on ousting Russian competitors

    Chinese manufacturers are taking advantage of Western sanctions on Russia, and with aggressively low prices and few other options, car buyers are now considering the Chinese models.

  14. Crime & Justice

    2022-11-17

    Detainee's tale of torture under Russians in Kherson

    Anatoly Stotsky was held for weeks in detention, beaten and electrocuted.

  15. Security

    2022-11-16

    'Afraid of everything': Russia's Black Sea Fleet hiding in port

    Unthinkable just a few weeks ago, no Russian warships are visible patrolling outside the port of Sevastopol following a Ukrainian drone attack.

  16. Security

    2022-11-16

    Death of Zambian student in Ukraine unveils scope of Wagner mercenary recruitment

    'Africans shouldn't die for Putin's sick imperial ambitions,' said Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Oleg Nikolenko.

  17. Security

    2022-11-15

    'Beginning of the end': Russia's humiliating withdrawal from Kherson

    Kherson residents poured into the streets to celebrate their liberation after Russia was forced to withdraw from the first major city it seized since starting its illegal war.

  18. Media

    2022-11-15

    Calls grow to ban Russian outlets as Uzbekistan begins broadcasting international TV

    Uzbeks are becoming wary of Russian propaganda disguised as news, and are calling for replacing Russian TV channels with Uzbek programming and international news.

  19. Security

    2022-11-14

    Iranian drones in Ukraine put spotlight on Tehran's influence in Central Asia

    Iran has been 'exporting military technology and building drone factories with the knowledge that peace in our region is very fragile', says one observer.

  20. Security

    2022-11-10

    Russia's Wagner Group mercenaries now serve as 'human bait' in Ukraine

    The Wagner Group has recruited thousands of prisoners -- some infected with HIV and other infectious diseases -- to serve as cannon fodder on the front lines.

  21. Security

    2022-11-10

    Over 100,000 Russian troops killed, wounded in Ukraine: top US general

    Top US Gen. Mark Milley's comments came after Russia ordered its troops to withdraw from the city of Kherson in southern Ukraine -- a major blow to Moscow's military campaign.