https://central.asia-news.com/?locale=en_GB

2020-07-10

| Politics
Political stagnation looms as Putin cements his rule as 'president for life'
Political stagnation looms as Putin cements his rule as 'president for life'

By pushing back the crucial question of who could someday replace him, Vladimir Putin risks era of stagnation similar to 'period zastoya' that precipitated the end of the Soviet Union.

What impact will constitutional reforms in Russia, which allow Vladimir Putin to rule until 2036, have on Central Asia?

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Reported Russian bounties on US troops draw rebuke in Central Asia

2020-07-09

| Terrorism
Reported Russian bounties on US troops draw rebuke in Central Asia

Fanning the conflict in Afghanistan is in part aimed at persuading Central Asian states to depend on Russia for security, said one observer.
Resurgence of COVID-19 sweeps through Central Asia

2020-07-08

| Health
Resurgence of COVID-19 sweeps through Central Asia

Countries that lifted restrictions in May are under siege by the coronavirus again.
Russia, China veto Syria humanitarian aid measure amid war crimes accusations

2020-07-08

| Diplomacy
Russia, China veto Syria humanitarian aid measure amid war crimes accusations

A UN investigation determined that Syria and Russia committed war crimes and possible crimes against humanity during the battle for Syria's opposition-held Idlib.
Reported Russian bounties on US troops draw rebuke in Central Asia

Fanning the conflict in Afghanistan is in part aimed at persuading Central Asian states to depend on Russia for security, said one observer.
Reported Russian bounties on US troops draw rebuke in Central Asia
Iran attempts to spin major ruling on gas payments to Turkmenistan

2020-07-07

| Energy
Iran attempts to spin major ruling on gas payments to Turkmenistan

The International Court of Arbitration ruled in favour of Turkmenistan and ordered Tehran to pay Ashgabat $2 billion, but the Iranian regime says the ruling never happened.
Coronavirus disinformation emanating from Russia, China gains foothold abroad

2020-07-06

| Media
Coronavirus disinformation emanating from Russia, China gains foothold abroad

Whether it is distorted coverage or outright conspiracy theories, Russian and Chinese content seeks to discredit democracies and create confusion about the coronavirus pandemic.
Moscow mercenaries continue to back Libyan warlord as civilian deaths mount

2020-07-03

| Security
Moscow mercenaries continue to back Libyan warlord as civilian deaths mount

Despite major losses to military strongman Khalifa Haftar, the Wagner Group continues to sow chaos and death, and is vying for a share of Libya's oil fields.
Empty promises: Taliban's refusal to disavow al-Qaeda reflects non-commitment to peace

2020-07-02

| Security
Empty promises: Taliban's refusal to disavow al-Qaeda reflects non-commitment to peace

The militant group has not lived up to its commitments to sever its relationship with the terrorist outfit, a key element to lasting peace in Afghanistan.
With US backing, Kazakh NGOs, police combat human trafficking

2020-07-01

| Human Rights
With US backing, Kazakh NGOs, police combat human trafficking

Kazakh police recently uncovered 50 incidents of human trafficking during a country-wide operation in which they raided saunas, hotels, sublet apartments, farms and construction sites.
Central Asians see cynical ploy in Putin's rescheduling of Victory Day parade

2020-06-30

| Politics
Central Asians see cynical ploy in Putin's rescheduling of Victory Day parade

Putin made a meticulous calculation in postponing the date of the parade to about a week before the referendum to 'pump Russians with endorphins and a sense of unity'.
Putin's invented territorial claims on post-Soviet states draw ire of Kazakhs

2020-06-29

| Analysis
Putin's invented territorial claims on post-Soviet states draw ire of Kazakhs

The sovereign territory of the post-Soviet states was a 'gift' of the Russian people, Putin claimed, suggesting land should be given back to Russia.
'The Hungry Steppe': Kazakh translation of 1930s famine study becomes bestseller

2020-06-26

| Crime & Justice
'The Hungry Steppe': Kazakh translation of 1930s famine study becomes bestseller

It is important for youth to learn about the famine that Soviets triggered in Kazakhstan in the 1930s that caused upwards of 4 million deaths, says the Kazakh publisher.
United States doubles reward to $10 million for capture of IS leader

2020-06-25

| Terrorism
United States doubles reward to $10 million for capture of IS leader

Amir Mohammed Abdul Rahman al-Mawli al-Salbi issued edicts justifying the abduction and enslavement of thousands of Yazidi women and girls among other crimes against humanity.
Kazakh, Turkmen specialists undergo anti-money laundering training

2020-06-24

| Terrorism
Kazakh, Turkmen specialists undergo anti-money laundering training

Trainers from Georgia and Italy gave presentations on schemes to launder illegal income and recommendations by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to thwart such schemes.
US donates critical laboratory equipment to Kazakhstan for COVID-19 fight

2020-06-23

| Health
US donates critical laboratory equipment to Kazakhstan for COVID-19 fight

The $300,000 worth of supplies include one of the most reliable lab methods for detecting and tracking the virus that causes COVID-19.
Russia pipeline scandal could translate to huge windfall for Turkmenistan

2020-06-22

| Energy
Russia pipeline scandal could translate to huge windfall for Turkmenistan

The announcement of a second pipeline earlier this year was apparently a disinformation attempt by Russia's Gazprom to cover up 'criminal fraud' with the Power of Siberia pipeline.
The Putin regime: a perennial malign actor on world stage

2020-06-19

| Analysis
The Putin regime: a perennial malign actor on world stage

Undermining governments, fomenting unrest, spreading disinformation and supporting the indiscriminate killing of innocents around the world are the unfortunate hallmarks of the Kremlin.
In controversial move, Russia set to own runway at military base in Kyrgyzstan

2020-06-18

| Security
In controversial move, Russia set to own runway at military base in Kyrgyzstan

The ownership of Kyrgyz land threatens the nation's independence, say analysts.
Kazakhstan introduces new means to forge modern 'digital military'

2020-06-17

| Security
Kazakhstan introduces new means to forge modern 'digital military'

Kazakhstan is launching digital services and automated command and control systems as part of its military modernisation.
Kyrgyzstan considers boycotting EEU as promises of economic benefit fade

2020-06-17

| Economy
Kyrgyzstan considers boycotting EEU as promises of economic benefit fade

Kyrgyz businesses have encountered many hardships since joining the union, including escalating competition with cheap Russian goods and the hindrance of exports.
In photos: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan begin lifting coronavirus restrictions

2020-06-16

| Society
In photos: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan begin lifting coronavirus restrictions

'We are waiting for the time when the threat of coronavirus will be behind us,' said one Kazakh citizen.
Ashgabat centre lauded for work against radicalisation, terror financing

2020-06-16

| Terrorism
Ashgabat centre lauded for work against radicalisation, terror financing

Turkmenistan's security agencies cited the value of studying the experiences and practices of other countries in tackling today’s challenges and threats.
Russian claims of stealth bomber development raise security concerns

2020-06-15

| Security
Russian claims of stealth bomber development raise security concerns

Reports of the Kremlin attempting to build a new generation stealth bomber come amid an apparent information campaign touting the Russian military and its modernisation.
China, Russia manufacturing a 'flood' of virus disinformation

2020-06-12

| Media
China, Russia manufacturing a 'flood' of virus disinformation

The European Union says Beijing and Moscow are 'seeking to undermine democratic debate and exacerbate social polarisation, and improve their own image in the COVID-19 context'.
As Russian influence wanes, China steps up security role in Central Asia

2020-06-11

| Security
As Russian influence wanes, China steps up security role in Central Asia

Beijing is making inroads as a player in Central Asian security, according to a recent report.
World Bank issues warning over food supply collapse in Central Asia

2020-06-10

| Economy
World Bank issues warning over food supply collapse in Central Asia

The COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic is created havoc in many countries around the world, but the international organisation is particularly worried about food issues in Central Asia.
Russia's new front in Libya serves as warning to the world

2020-06-09

| Security
Russia's new front in Libya serves as warning to the world

Libya, Syria, Ukraine, Venezuela, Sudan, the Central African Republic and Madagascar, among others have all seen Kremlin mercenaries on their soil. The question is: who's next?
Risking Russian lives, Putin schedules parade, referendum during pandemic

2020-06-08

| Politics
Risking Russian lives, Putin schedules parade, referendum during pandemic

The Russian president is 'willing to put people's health at risk' for political gain and vanity, say observers.
Reported Russian bounties on US troops draw rebuke in Central Asia
Reported Russian bounties on US troops draw rebuke in Central Asia

Fanning the conflict in Afghanistan is in part aimed at persuading Central Asian states to depend on Russia for security, said one observer.

What impact will constitutional reforms in Russia, which allow Vladimir Putin to rule until 2036, have on Central Asia?

View Results