https://central.asia-news.com/en_GB

2020-02-21

| Security

Spy trial in Uzbekistan reflects country’s growing distance from Russia

Spy trial in Uzbekistan reflects country’s growing distance from Russia

The ongoing trial of a political analyst and a number of military personnel for spying for Moscow is part of Uzbekistan's revamped principle of independence, say observers.

Poll

Do you think Uzbekistan's decision to not join the EEU will bring it more economic opportunities?

View Results
Tajikistan to repatriate 500 citizens held in Syrian refugee camps

2020-02-21

| Terrorism
Tajikistan to repatriate 500 citizens held in Syrian refugee camps

More than 200 women and children are among the Tajiks held in Syria. Tajikistan joins other Central Asian countries in working to bring back their citizens from the Middle East.
Kazakhstan eyes protective measures as dissatisfaction with EEU grows

2020-02-20

| Economy
Kazakhstan eyes protective measures as dissatisfaction with EEU grows

Russia has used the economic bloc to implement protectionist policies, drawing the ire of Central Asian countries.
Leaked documents show how China tracked and detained Kazakhs, Uighurs

2020-02-19

| Human Rights
Leaked documents show how China tracked and detained Kazakhs, Uighurs

Chinese authorities noted the backgrounds, religious habits and relationships of targeted individuals, as well as various behaviours deemed 'problematic', such as abstaining from alcohol.

Spotlight

Kazakhstan eyes protective measures as dissatisfaction with EEU grows

Russia has used the economic bloc to implement protectionist policies, drawing the ire of Central Asian countries.
Kazakhstan eyes protective measures as dissatisfaction with EEU grows
Dushanbe aims to uncover secrets from extradited Tajik IS members

2020-02-18

| Terrorism
Dushanbe aims to uncover secrets from extradited Tajik IS members

The intended extradition of Tajik IS extremists imprisoned in the Middle East 'will untangle many threads and reveal secrets in IS's activities in the post-Soviet space', said one analyst.
Kyrgyz rights activists vow to fight 'criminal' Gazprom school transfer

2020-02-17

| Society
Kyrgyz rights activists vow to fight 'criminal' Gazprom school transfer

Gazprom acquired Kyrgyzstan's largest energy company for $1. It promised to build a school for low-income children, then asked for high tuition. Now it has seized the school for itself.
Kremlin accused of ‘massacres’ in Syria as bombing displaces almost 800,000

2020-02-14

| Security
Kremlin accused of ‘massacres’ in Syria as bombing displaces almost 800,000

Since December, Syrian government forces backed by Moscow have pressed a blistering assault against the country's northwest.
Kazakhstan to modernise armed forces' weaponry in defence-spending plan

2020-02-14

| Security
Kazakhstan to modernise armed forces' weaponry in defence-spending plan

Defence Minister Nurlan Yermekbayev met with the Kazakh president to discuss plans for rationalising military expenditures.
Facebook purges more accounts linked to Russian military intelligence

2020-02-13

| Media
Facebook purges more accounts linked to Russian military intelligence

The Russia-based network included 78 Facebook accounts and four on Instagram. Online 'troll factories' meanwhile have been ramping up their operations in Central Asia.
De-radicalisation of Kazakh extremists continues as repatriation effort ends

2020-02-13

| Security
De-radicalisation of Kazakh extremists continues as repatriation effort ends

Kazakhstan has completed Operation Jusan to return its citizens from Syria and Iraq. Now the long struggle begins.
Kazakh veterans train students on terrorism safety measures

2020-02-12

| Security
Kazakh veterans train students on terrorism safety measures

The training programme comes as the threat of terrorist attacks in the country remains elevated.
Kyrgyzstan proposes stiffer punishment for citizens who fight abroad

2020-02-11

| Terrorism
Kyrgyzstan proposes stiffer punishment for citizens who fight abroad

Amendments to the criminal code, if enacted, would lengthen prison sentences for those convicted of taking part in an armed conflict abroad or receiving terrorist training.
Kazakh government works to restore calm in Zhambyl Province

2020-02-10

| Security
Kazakh government works to restore calm in Zhambyl Province

Authorities are sacking officials in the province and promising to compensate survivors after a deadly outbreak of ethnic violence.
US strategy for Central Asia to focus on regional independence

2020-02-10

| Diplomacy
US strategy for Central Asia to focus on regional independence

The United States seeks a Central Asia free from 'malign actors' and empowered to pursue economic opportunities that will benefit all citizens in the region.
Kazakhstan rejects Russian proposal to expand EEU co-operation

2020-02-07

| Politics
Kazakhstan rejects Russian proposal to expand EEU co-operation

The Eurasian Economic Union's focus should remain purely economic, says Kazakh Prime Minister Askar Mamin. The Kremlin, however, is anxious for more integration.
Ural Airlines refuses to board Central Asians fleeing coronavirus epidemic

2020-02-06

| Health
Ural Airlines refuses to board Central Asians fleeing coronavirus epidemic

Russian authorities ordered the airline to only evacuate Russian citizens fleeing the deadly virus, then changed policy to only help those from countries part of its economic union.
US, Turkmenistan advance co-operation in security, counterterrorism

2020-02-06

| Society
US, Turkmenistan advance co-operation in security, counterterrorism

The two countries also are seeking to work more closely on major energy-related investment projects and achieving peace and stability in Afghanistan.
Hostility in Russia seen as key factor in radicalisation of migrant workers

2020-02-05

| Terrorism
Hostility in Russia seen as key factor in radicalisation of migrant workers

Harsh treatment and racism in Russia alienate Central Asian migrant workers doing jobs that Russians refuse to do, and some turns toward extremism for refuge.
Russian Orthodox Church considers dropping practice of blessing nuclear weapons

2020-02-05

| Religion
Russian Orthodox Church considers dropping practice of blessing nuclear weapons

Blessing weapons that can inflict countless deaths is no longer a good idea, deemed church officials.
Kremlin-backed violence displaces over half a million in Syria

2020-02-04

| Refugees
Kremlin-backed violence displaces over half a million in Syria

Weeks of intensive aerial bombardment and a bruising ground offensive have emptied entire towns. The vast majority –- 80% -- of the displaced are women and children.
Uzbekistan completes demining of border with Tajikistan, say officials

2020-02-04

| Security
Uzbekistan completes demining of border with Tajikistan, say officials

The clearing of antipersonnel mines on the border is reflective of the growing trust between the two neighbours.
Pompeo stresses close ties with Central Asia during regional trip

2020-02-03

| Diplomacy
Pompeo stresses close ties with Central Asia during regional trip

The US Secretary of State also emphasised that Central Asian be sovereign and independent, and push back against Russia and China's attempts at economic and military domination.
New training centre in Kazakhstan aims to protect Soviet-era nuclear facilities

2020-01-31

| Security
New training centre in Kazakhstan aims to protect Soviet-era nuclear facilities

Soviet authorities conducted 456 nuclear explosions, 116 aboveground and 340 underground, irreparably harming the health of the local population. This centre aims to help prevent more harm.
Kazakh director of award-winning film 'shocked' by fine from Russian state backer

2020-01-30

| Society
Kazakh director of award-winning film 'shocked' by fine from Russian state backer

The move by the state cinema agency is intentionally aimed at putting pressure on the creators of a Central Asian film that has won success on the world stage, observers say.
Kazakhstan launches video awareness campaign to combat extremism

2020-01-29

| Terrorism
Kazakhstan launches video awareness campaign to combat extremism

The Kazakh National Security Committee (KNB) has produced eight video clips and an hour-long documentary to counter terrorist propaganda.

Spotlight

Kazakhstan eyes protective measures as dissatisfaction with EEU grows
Kazakhstan eyes protective measures as dissatisfaction with EEU grows

Russia has used the economic bloc to implement protectionist policies, drawing the ire of Central Asian countries.

Poll

Do you think Uzbekistan's decision to not join the EEU will bring it more economic opportunities?

View Results