Diplomacy

2021-07-27

Russia's courting of Arab states shows alliance with Iran not guaranteed

Moscow's efforts to forge ties with Arab states indicate the Iranian regime's so-called ally is cooling on the relationship and pursuing others.

Terrorism

2021-07-26

Repatriated Kazakh female extremists find new career paths, hope for the future

Rehabilitation of repatriated female extremists focuses on life skills, social adaptation, moderate Islam and training for new careers so they can support their families.

Security

2021-07-23

Russia using Afghanistan as pretext to bolster military presence in Central Asia

Russia is amplifying the threat of the Taliban to persuade countries to allow deeper Russian military penetration. Yet at the same time, Moscow is supporting the Taliban with weapons and money.

Health

2021-07-23

Tajikistan to receive US vaccines as China stonewalls virus probe

As the United States donates 2 million vaccine doses to Tajikistan and Georgia, Beijing continues to resist WHO probe into COVID-19 origins.

Security

2021-07-22

Tajik troops ready to protect border from Taliban insurgency

Taliban promises not to attack Afghanistan's neighbours should be regarded with scepticism, say observers, as regional militaries prepare for increasing instability.

Elections

2021-07-21

Leaked documents reveal Putin's plot to sway 2016 US election

At a 2016 meeting, Vladimir Putin and other top Russian leaders hatched a plan to 'alter mass consciousness' among US voters, sow social chaos and weaken the American presidency.

Security

2021-07-20

Al-Qaeda-linked fighters spotted in Taliban's ranks

Dozens of foreign fighters have been killed in recent battles and Afghan forces have retrieved evidence indicating that al-Qaeda elements guide and train Afghan Taliban militants.

Diplomacy

2021-07-20

US, Central Asia discuss ongoing partnership, Afghan situation

Officials talked about how to realise Central Asia's potential as a transit, trade and energy hub, and about some critical challenges, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and instability in Afghanistan.

Human Rights

2021-07-19

In eastern Afghanistan, Taliban advances meet Beijing's Xinjiang oppression

Alarm is growing in Beijing over the prospect of having an Islamist group like the Taliban share a border with Xinjiang, where China is engaged in systematic oppression of Muslims.

Human Rights

2021-07-16

Sputnik Light seen as profit-making scheme exploiting 'guinea pig' migrants

Central Asian migrants in Russia are being forced to be vaccinated with Sputnik Light, an unproven vaccine known to be less effective than Sputnik V, and have to pay triple the suggested cost for it.

Crime & Justice

2021-07-16

US offers $10 million rewards in effort to stop foreign ransomware attacks

US President Joe Biden raised ransomware forcefully in a summit last month with Russian President Vladimir Putin, threatening to take action directly if Moscow does not curb cyber crime.

Terrorism

2021-07-15

Bus attack highlights growing resentment of China in Pakistan

Militants are reacting to China's blatant exploitation of Pakistan, Beijing's mistreatment of Muslims in Xinjiang, and the regime's ongoing disinformation campaign over COVID-19.

Security

2021-07-15

Uzbekistan eyes Afghan border with concern amid Taliban offensive

Locals living along the border are in a state of fear as they can now hear the sounds of war with Taliban violence getting closer.

Human Rights

2021-07-14

Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan see major gains in fight against human trafficking

Despite difficult conditions amid the pandemic, the Kyrgyz and Uzbek governments were recognised for their efforts in countering the human rights issue.

Security

2021-07-13

Taliban force residents to flee as they loot, torch homes during offensive

In districts bordering Central Asia, Taliban fighters are searching for government supporters, burning homes, and looting businesses, in what observers are calling 'war crimes'.

Economy

2021-07-12

Tipping the scales: China's predatory loans force countries into debt bondage

The terms of Chinese loans, many affiliated with the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), often contain extensive confidentiality clauses that tie debtors' hands in what critics call 'debt-trap diplomacy'.

Human Rights

2021-07-09

Russian authorities propose new 'loyalty agreement' for Central Asians

Russian authorities also are preventing migrants access to the much-touted Sputnik V vaccine, and instead are giving them an unauthorized 'light' version with unclear rates of efficacy.

Education

2021-07-08

Abuse cases at illegal religious schools raise concerns in Uzbekistan

Before police shut them down, underground schools forced students to go hungry and to endure beatings and exposure to extremist ideology.

Analysis

2021-07-07

The great coverup: how China tried to trick the world about COVID-19

Beijing's obsession with secrecy regarding the origins of the coronavirus has fuelled suspicions about the Wuhan Institute of Virology.

Security

2021-07-06

Central Asia on alert as Afghan forces prepare counterattack against Taliban

Tajik President Emomali Rahmon ordered the mobilisation of 20,000 reserve troops to further strengthen the border with Afghanistan.

Health

2021-07-05

China's COVID-19 'global public good' turning a bad situation worse?

Infection rates are spiking in countries that relied on Chinese-made COVID-19 vaccines, while leaders in Beijing continue to tout their country's 'greatness' in defeating the virus.

Security

2021-07-02

Central Asian states bolster security in response to Taliban activity along borders

Taliban violence in recent weeks has reached the borders of Afghanistan's three Central Asian neighbours: Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. All three are ramping up their militaries.

Security

2021-07-01

US, Kazakhstan team up to assist Central Asian countries, Afghanistan

Joint efforts between the two countries aim to promote democratic principles and protect human rights, expand prosperity, ensure social stability and improve health.