Caravanserai
  2. Diplomacy

    2021-04-16

    US counters Russian aggression with sanctions, expulsion of diplomats

    In part the sanctions are a response to Russia's 'efforts to undermine the conduct of free and fair democratic elections and democratic institutions in the United States and its allies and partners'.

  3. Terrorism

    2021-04-15

    Kyrgyz relatives await homecoming of IS children imprisoned in Iraq

    Nearly 80 Kyrgyz children arrived from Iraq to Bishkek in mid March, and are now going through a rehabilitation period before being set free to their relatives.

  4. Media

    2021-04-14

    What can Central Asia learn from Russia's hybrid warfare against Europe?

    'The danger of hybrid war is that the aggressor exploits weaknesses,' analysts say. The state must become stronger through a democratic society, economic growth and respect for human rights.

Which country's COVID-19 vaccine or vaccines do you trust more?

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Spotlight

What can Central Asia learn from Russia's hybrid warfare against Europe?

'The danger of hybrid war is that the aggressor exploits weaknesses,' analysts say. The state must become stronger through a democratic society, economic growth and respect for human rights.

What can Central Asia learn from Russia's hybrid warfare against Europe?
  1. Human Rights

    2021-04-14

    Beijing turns Muslim suffering in Xinjiang into musical melodrama

    The musical film 'The Wings of Songs' is a tasteless attempt by China to try to reframe the regime's well documented abuses against Muslims in Xinjiang -- and no one is buying it.

  2. Health

    2021-04-13

    Over 400,000 'excess deaths' point to major Russian COVID-19 coverup

    For much of the past year, the Kremlin has been more focused on winning the public relations aspects of the pandemic than on fighting the virus itself.

  3. Terrorism

    2021-04-12

    Kazakhstan draws lessons from women repatriated by Operation Jusan

    A new video project prepared by Kazakh specialists aims to prevent radicalisation by telling the stories of duped Kazakh women who ended up in the midst of the 'Islamic State' in Syria.

  1. Diplomacy

    2021-04-09

    Russian military buildup on Ukrainian border stokes fears in Central Asia

    Reports suggest the number of Russian troops at the border is now greater than at any time since 2014, when war in eastern Ukraine first broke out and Russia illegally seized Crimea.

  2. Security

    2021-04-08

    Duped Syrian job seekers find themselves working for Russian militias

    Thinking they are applying online for a job as a security guard, desperate Syrian youth who accept vaguely described positions have found themselves on the frontlines of foreign-backed conflicts.

  3. Politics

    2021-04-07

    Putin derided for trying to become Russia's 'president for life'

    Observers and concerned citizens in Central Asia and beyond are shaking their heads at the newly signed legislation that opens the possibility for Putin to stay in power until 2036.

  4. Human Rights

    2021-04-06

    Turkmen protests in northern Iran highlight regime's repression of minorities

    The alleged rape of 2 Turkmen girls and the Iranian authorities' unwillingness to charge the suspect in the latest in a long list of abuses against ethnic minorities by the regime.

  5. Security

    2021-04-05

    Hollowed out Syrian army unable to act independently from Russia, Iran

    The Syrian army has become a patchwork of regular forces and allied militias, with foreign powers vying for control of each and using them to pursue their own agendas.

  6. Energy

    2021-04-02

    Kazakhstan not swayed by Russia's scheming for nuclear power plant

    Moscow is not letting up on its attempts to impose its nuclear plant on Kazakhstan, but Kazakhs are wary of the economic, environmental and political costs of doing business with Russia.

  7. Human Rights

    2021-04-02

    Rights activists in Moscow urge Russians to recognise Syrian abuses

    The 'overwhelming majority' of interviewees saw Russia as a destructive foreign force whose intervention helped bolster the brutal regime.

  8. Analysis

    2021-04-01

    Kremlin influence agent Prigozhin faces harsh reality as international fugitive

    'Businessman' Yevgeny Prigozhin is pulling the strings on a number of influence campaigns around the world on behalf of the Kremlin, but the international legal noose is tightening.

  9. Security

    2021-03-31

    Syrian-Russian smear campaign targets US, allies at al-Tanf

    While disinformation blames the United States for the dire conditions at al-Rukban camp, in reality Russia and Syria are actively trying to starve its residents to force them to return to Syrian-regime-held areas.

  10. Economy

    2021-03-30

    Kyrgyz question Russian involvement in Jerooy gold mine

    Stakeholders are calling for an investigation into the deal that many see simply as a Russian takeover of the country's second largest gold mine.

  11. Security

    2021-03-29

    'ISIS Hunters' belies mercenaries' true intent: to protect Russian interests in Syria

    The Kremlin is eager to depict the group as a terrorism fighting outfit, but in reality it has close ties with the Wagner Group, and its primary mission is to guard Russia's oil and gas interests in Syria.

  12. Education

    2021-03-26

    Russia's 'soft power' education push in Kyrgyzstan worries locals

    New plans to build a number of Russian schools are worrying locals about the Kremlin's strategy of using culture and political ideas to obtain geopolitical goals.

  13. Human Rights

    2021-03-25

    Tajik-born 'Russian Woman' singer endures racist, chauvinist taunts online

    Manizha, whose performance of 'Russian Woman' won her the right to represent Russia at Eurovision, said she has been hearing hateful slurs since childhood.

  14. Human Rights

    2021-03-24

    Daily protests rattle Chinese consulate in Almaty over Xinjiang detentions

    Daily pickets have been going on for more than a month, as Kazakhs are concerned over the fate of thousands of their relatives trapped inside Chinese 're-education' camps.

  15. Economy

    2021-03-23

    Crippled Russian economy unable to lure back Central Asian migrants

    A long history of abuse, discrimination, demands for bribes, being cheated out of their pay, and beatings by civilians and even by police are keeping migrants home.

  16. Energy

    2021-03-22

    Turkmenistan eliminates another obstacle to direct gas exports to Europe

    The Trans-Caspian Gas Pipeline is an opportunity to increase Central Asia's gas exports and reduce Europe's reliance on Russian gas.

  17. Economy

    2021-03-19

    Kyrgyzstan at risk of losing national assets as China refuses to reduce debt

    Beijing exploitative terms for its enormous loans are causing widespread fear in Kyrgyzstan as the country faces the prospect of losing mineral assets after China tacked on a 2% 'late fee'.

  18. Energy

    2021-03-18

    Turkmenistan awakens to grim realities of Chinese profiteering in gas industry

    Discontent is mounting among Turkmens because seemingly attractive loans for economic ventures have only profited China while regular citizens continue to suffer in poverty.

  19. Politics

    2021-03-18

    Hizbullah delegation's visit to Moscow another sign of Russian opportunism

    Russia is vying for more influence in the Middle East. Its alliance with Iran, the Syrian regime and Hizbullah, however, has cast doubt about its intentions.

  20. Security

    2021-03-17

    In photos: 7 years after Russian annexation, Crimea falls into disrepair

    Years after Moscow's illegal annexation of the Black Sea peninsula from Ukraine, once lively destinations are desolate and abandoned.

  21. Security

    2021-03-17

    Russia's intentions questioned as new round of peace talks begins in Moscow

    The Russian regime has publicly hosted Taliban leaders and other Afghan stakeholders in Moscow on multiple occasions, most of which resulted in little more than photo opportunities.