Kazakhs despair for Xinjiang relatives detained in Beijing camps

2020-10-26

Despite close relations between the two governments, Kazakhstan has emerged as a hub for activism against Beijing's policies in Xinjiang, where thousands of Kazakhs have family ties.

Iran insults Turkmenistan by suggesting secret involvement in Karabakh conflict

Security

2020-10-23

Iran insults Turkmenistan by suggesting secret involvement in Karabakh conflict

Sources linked to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) are spreading rumors that Turkmenistan is secretly funneling fighters from Afghanistan.

Kyrgyzstan arrests major transnational drug trafficker wanted by US

Crime & Justice

2020-10-23

Kyrgyzstan arrests major transnational drug trafficker wanted by US

Kamchibek Kolbayev was part of a transnational organisation composed of leaders and members of several Eurasian criminal groups, officials say.

Kazakhstan, Armenia sit out Russia-led CSTO military exercises in Belarus

Security

2020-10-22

Kazakhstan, Armenia sit out Russia-led CSTO military exercises in Belarus

Some members of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) are growing disenchanted with the 'Indestructible Brotherhood'.

Russia, Iran caught trying to intimidate US voters ahead of key election

Elections

2020-10-22

Russia, Iran caught trying to intimidate US voters ahead of key election

Russia, Iran and China have a long history of social media disinformation efforts aimed at influencing US voters, US intelligence officials warn.

Kazakhstan launches new policing programme to build trust with citizens

Crime & Justice

2020-10-22

Kazakhstan launches new policing programme to build trust with citizens

The move comes as Kazakh law enforcement agencies have ramped up the fight against drug crime after detecting a marked increase in the amateur production and sale of synthetic drugs.

Do you think growing anti-China protests will force governments in Central Asian states to re-evaluate their relationship with Beijing?

Spotlight

Russia, Iran caught trying to intimidate US voters ahead of key election

Russia, Iran and China have a long history of social media disinformation efforts aimed at influencing US voters, US intelligence officials warn.

US military pushes to strengthen alliances to counter China, Russia

Security

2020-10-21

US military pushes to strengthen alliances to counter China, Russia

Both Beijing and Moscow lack the network of allies one needs to wield influence, US Defence Secretary Mark Esper said, adding that their lawless behaviour will scare away potential partners.

Ashgabat, Kabul reaffirm intentions to advance TAPI, infrastructure projects

Diplomacy

2020-10-21

Ashgabat, Kabul reaffirm intentions to advance TAPI, infrastructure projects

The new accords between Turkmenistan and Afghanistan are designed to 'facilitate the practical implementation' of the initiatives.

Russian intelligence officers charged in connection with worldwide cyberattacks

Technology

2020-10-20

Russian intelligence officers charged in connection with worldwide cyberattacks

The group's activities spanned France, Georgia, the Netherlands, South Korea, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

China refuses to defer Kyrgyzstan’s massive debt despite COVID-19 crisis

Economy

2020-10-19

China refuses to defer Kyrgyzstan’s massive debt despite COVID-19 crisis

If Central Asian countries can't pay off an accrued debt, mineral assets and territory will in all likelihood be transferred to China, which a few countries in the region have already done.

Kremlin goes on the offensive as doubts increase over its COVID-19 vaccine

Health

2020-10-16

Kremlin goes on the offensive as doubts increase over its COVID-19 vaccine

Moscow's campaign to promote Sputnik V has been heavy on patriotism and dismisses any criticism, and also takes a page from Putin's disinformation playbook.

Elections

2020-10-16

Kyrgyzstan mulls December parliamentary elections in bid to end political unrest

Speaking in parliament, Kyrgyz President Sooronbay Jeenbekov confirmed his resignation, and MPs applauded him as he left the room.

Media

2020-10-15

Russian media caught fuelling Kyrgyz divisions during political turmoil

Russian TV channels' provocative -- and even staged -- reports on recent political protests are an attempt to foment civil unrest and increase Bishkek's reliance on Moscow, analysts and viewers say.

New initiative aims to bolster Kazakh youth's resistance to extremism

Terrorism

2020-10-14

New initiative aims to bolster Kazakh youth's resistance to extremism

The initiative by the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) aims to prevent and counter early signs of radicalisation and violent extremism.

Increase in domestic production of synthetic drugs alarms Kazakh authorities

Crime & Justice

2020-10-13

Increase in domestic production of synthetic drugs alarms Kazakh authorities

The interior ministry has warned about the special danger of new synthetic drugs, which can cause someone to become addicted after the first dose.

Nations around the world express unease over China's 'vaccine diplomacy'

Health

2020-10-12

Nations around the world express unease over China's 'vaccine diplomacy'

Beijing is dangling the prospect of free COVID-19 vaccines to countries vital to its interests in apparent exchange for co-operation on strategic issues and economic 'assistance'.

Kremlin's economic 'aid' to Belarus echoes strategy to control Central Asia

Economy

2020-10-09

Kremlin's economic 'aid' to Belarus echoes strategy to control Central Asia

Moscow's 'generosity' always come at a price, observers say, as Putin's newest moves in Belarus are similar to those aimed at controlling resources and making ex-Soviet states dependent.

Protests

2020-10-08

Flames of conflict and protest swirl around Putin's Russia

Frozen conflicts dating back to Soviet times are erupting in the countries around Russia, and Vladimir Putin appears to have no answers to the escalating crises.

Turkmenistan pushes forward with TAPI gas pipeline project

Energy

2020-10-07

Turkmenistan pushes forward with TAPI gas pipeline project

A new phase of talks to build the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India gas pipeline is under way.

Elections

2020-10-06

Violence breaks out in Kyrgyzstan as elections cancelled on vote-buying allegations

Accusations of pro-Russian parties' mass vote-buying campaigns spurred the move by Kyrgyzstan's Central Electoral Commission.

China's unorthodox coronavirus vaccine testing bewilders analysts

Health

2020-10-05

China's unorthodox coronavirus vaccine testing bewilders analysts

Under Beijing's 'emergency use' scheme, tens of thousands of Chinese have received unproven COVID-19 test vaccines, worrying global health specialists.

Protests take aim at politicians urging Kyrgyz-Russian merger

Security

2020-10-02

Protests take aim at politicians urging Kyrgyz-Russian merger

Russian intelligence agencies are behind statements that have sparked a furor in the country, say some observers.

Kazakh police switch to service-oriented model as part of law enforcement reform

Security

2020-10-01

Kazakh police switch to service-oriented model as part of law enforcement reform

The new system is based on providing high-quality services to the public and bolstering co-operation between law enforcement and citizens.

China claims global leadership on climate despite staking future on coal

Environment

2020-09-30

China claims global leadership on climate despite staking future on coal

The unsupported claim that China is eco-friendly is only the latest in a series of attempts by Beijing to portray itself as something it is not.

Poland deports 3 Tajiks for ties to the 'Islamic State'

Terrorism

2020-09-30

Poland deports 3 Tajiks for ties to the 'Islamic State'

The suspects reportedly sought to recruit Poles and Ukrainians to commit terrorism in Poland.

Russian war games cast shadow over democratic aspirations in Belarus

Security

2020-09-29

Russian war games cast shadow over democratic aspirations in Belarus

While the West pleads for Russia not to meddle in other countries, authoritarian regimes like China and Iran are joining Russia to undermine democracies around the world.

Russian air strikes force Syrian families back to COVID-19-infected camps

Health

2020-09-29

Russian air strikes force Syrian families back to COVID-19-infected camps

Families in the embattled province of Idlib are left with two choices: stay in their homes and risk being killed by Russian bombs or return to camps where outbreaks are raging.

China expands blueprint of Xinjiang abuses to new front: Tibet

Human Rights

2020-09-28

China expands blueprint of Xinjiang abuses to new front: Tibet

Beijing is facing mounting pressure over its systematic abuse of Uighurs and other Muslim groups, and new satellite imagery shows how China has destroyed 16,000 mosques in the region.

Kazakhs demand end to China's increasing encroachment

Human Rights

2020-09-25

Kazakhs demand end to China's increasing encroachment

Protesters are concerned that Beijing will make a land grab and exploit Kazakh resources, and are deeply troubled over continuing human rights abuses in Xinjiang.

Satellite imagery shows China has destroyed 16,000 mosques in Xinjiang

Religion

2020-09-25

Satellite imagery shows China has destroyed 16,000 mosques in Xinjiang

Almost a third of major Islamic sacred sites in Xinjiang -- including shrines, cemeteries and pilgrimage routes -- have been razed, according to an extensive investigative report.