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Iran's president denounces country's conservative rulers after candidates banned

2020-01-27

| Elections
Iran's president denounces country's conservative rulers after candidates banned

The Guardian Council, a body close to the country's hardliners, blocked almost 10,000 candidates from contesting upcoming polls in what the president has called a threat to the nation.
Central Asians question Putin's motives behind constitutional reforms

2020-01-27

| Politics
Central Asians question Putin's motives behind constitutional reforms

The real goal of the Russian president is to retain power, say political experts and residents of Central Asia.
Uzbekistan seeks to privatise banking sector

2020-01-27

| Economy
Uzbekistan seeks to privatise banking sector

The country's banking system was '10-15 years behind modern requirements, said Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
Gunmen kill Iranian militia commander as internal tension builds

2020-01-24

| Protests
Gunmen kill Iranian militia commander as internal tension builds

Faced with an increasingly disaffected population and a tailspinning economy, Iranian leaders are scrambling to maintain control while at the same time posturing to appear tough.
Uzbekistan's refusal to join EEU bolsters its independence, say analysts

2020-01-24

| Politics
Uzbekistan's refusal to join EEU bolsters its independence, say analysts

Tashkent has opted not to join the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) because it does not want to return to the orbit of Russia's influence.
Turkmenistan boosts security measures following tensions in Iran

2020-01-23

| Security
Turkmenistan boosts security measures following tensions in Iran

Turkmenistan Airlines stopped flying in Iranian airspace after Tehran accidentally shot down a Ukrainian passenger airliner earlier this month. Land borders are also closed indefinitely.
Unrest grows as Iranian leaders ignore internal distress over failing economy

2020-01-23

| Protests
Unrest grows as Iranian leaders ignore internal distress over failing economy

Iran's Supreme Leader and other top leaders are trying to divert public anger toward its showdown with the West, leaving core issues of discontent unaddressed.
New details emerge on identity of IS leader

2020-01-22

| Terrorism
New details emerge on identity of IS leader

Previously named as Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Quraishi, the terrorist leader is now said to be an Iraqi Turkmen named Amir Mohammed Abdul Rahman al-Mawli al-Salbi.
Uzbekistan will not join the Eurasian Economic Union: Mirziyoyev

2020-01-22

| Economy
Uzbekistan will not join the Eurasian Economic Union: Mirziyoyev

Other countries have found the Russian-dominated bloc harmful to their economic aspirations.
Kazakhstan launches counter-radicalisation grant initiative

2020-01-21

| Terrorism
Kazakhstan launches counter-radicalisation grant initiative

Non-governmental outreach programs are making a big contribution in improving religious knowledge and literacy, specialists say.
World Bank hails Uzbekistan's market reforms

2020-01-21

| Economy
World Bank hails Uzbekistan's market reforms

'Uzbekistan is making strong progress in transforming its economy and building opportunities to improve people's lives,' said a top World Bank official.
Uzbekistan continues focus on education, rehabilitation in battle against extremism

2020-01-20

| Terrorism
Uzbekistan continues focus on education, rehabilitation in battle against extremism

The government has been paying special attention to projects focused on youth.
2019: a year of intensifying anti-Chinese sentiment in Kazakhstan

2020-01-17

| Human Rights
2019: a year of intensifying anti-Chinese sentiment in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan's population is not ready to view China as a friendly country, several events last year suggest.
Russian incursions in eastern Syria hinder fight against 'Islamic State'

2020-01-16

| Security
Russian incursions in eastern Syria hinder fight against 'Islamic State'

The presence of Russian troops in the area is providing IS elements with the ability to move around, secure logistical supplies and carry out sporadic terrorist attacks.
Kyrgyzstan eyes stricter oversight of financial remittances

2020-01-15

| Security
Kyrgyzstan eyes stricter oversight of financial remittances

The National Bank of Kyrgyzstan wants more information about the senders of financial remittances as part of ongoing efforts against money laundering and terror financing.
Tehran's timid response to Soleimani killing underscores regime's fragility

2020-01-14

| Security
Tehran's timid response to Soleimani killing underscores regime's fragility

The need for Iranian leaders to go to such lengths to exaggerate the regime's capabilities and the timidity of the military's 'terrible vengeance' have exposed major cracks in the facade.
Kremlin narrative of alleged IS threat to Central Asia debunked

2020-01-13

| Security
Kremlin narrative of alleged IS threat to Central Asia debunked

The so-called 'Islamic State' threat is merely a way for Russia to solidify its military presence in the region, say Central Asian observers.
'Death to the dictator': angry protesters in Iran demand end to the regime

2020-01-13

| Human Rights
'Death to the dictator': angry protesters in Iran demand end to the regime

Videos posted on social media showed thousands of demonstrators calling for the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and top military leaders to step down.
Tehran stonewalls amid mounting evidence it shot down Ukrainian airliner

2020-01-10

| Security
Tehran stonewalls amid mounting evidence it shot down Ukrainian airliner

Videos, photos and circumstantial evidence clearly suggest the plane was struck by a surface-to-air missile, but Iranian officials continue to deny the possibility.
US donates vehicles to Tajik Defence Ministry for mountain operations

2020-01-10

| Security
US donates vehicles to Tajik Defence Ministry for mountain operations

The vehicles will enable Tajikistan's mobile forces to operate in a wide variety of terrain, said the US embassy.
US-Kazakh Open Skies Agreement paves way for closer ties

2020-01-09

| Diplomacy
US-Kazakh Open Skies Agreement paves way for closer ties

Unlimited flights between Kazakhstan and the United States, as well as many other advantages provided by the signed agreement, will promote tourism and trade.
Tensions ease after Iran’s retaliation on US military fails to inflict casualties

2020-01-08

| Security
Tensions ease after Iran’s retaliation on US military fails to inflict casualties

Leaders described Tehran's missile attacks as dangerous and urged dialogue to prevent further escalation.
Tajik, US officials discuss co-operation on Afghanistan, terrorism

2020-01-07

| Diplomacy
Tajik, US officials discuss co-operation on Afghanistan, terrorism

The talks also covered the issues of extremism, radicalisation, drug trafficking and the peace process in Afghanistan.
Russia, China refuse to condemn Iranian attack on US embassy in Baghdad

2020-01-07

| Security
Russia, China refuse to condemn Iranian attack on US embassy in Baghdad

All member nations had repeated their long-standing concerns about Iran's destabilising activities in the Middle East, said NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg.
Kazakhstan's efforts to teach religious literacy reach tens of thousands

2020-01-07

| Religion
Kazakhstan's efforts to teach religious literacy reach tens of thousands

Kazakh clergy engaged 120,000 citizens in anti-extremism programmes in 2019, according to the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Kazakhstan (DUMK).
Iran abandons nuclear commitments as European powers back United States

2020-01-06

| Security
Iran abandons nuclear commitments as European powers back United States

Britain, France and Germany are backing the United States in its growing confrontation with Tehran, as new details have emerged about Gen. Qasem Soleimani's plots to kill Americans.
Russian scaremongering over IS draws ire of Turkmen border officials

2020-01-06

| Security
Russian scaremongering over IS draws ire of Turkmen border officials

Turkmenistan is perfectly capable of protecting its borders from any IS terrorists seeking to cross the border from Afghanistan, say officials.
Tajik president signs law on countering extremism

2020-01-03

| Terrorism
Tajik president signs law on countering extremism

President Emomali Rahmon in 2018 called for a new law to update Tajikistan's strategy.
Killing of top militant commander sends stark warning to Tehran

2020-01-03

| Security
Killing of top militant commander sends stark warning to Tehran

Despite repeated warnings, Iran and its proxies have launched numerous attacks against US personnel and its allies for nearly a year. The attack on the US embassy was the last straw.
Uzbek soldiers win training awards in US as militaries continue to bolster ties

2020-01-03

| Security
Uzbek soldiers win training awards in US as militaries continue to bolster ties

The joint exercises and friendly competitions highlight what Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev noted last year -- a new era of strategic partnership between Uzbekistan and the United States.
2019: the year of increasing disillusionment toward Russia in Central Asia

2020-01-02

| Security
2019: the year of increasing disillusionment toward Russia in Central Asia

Formerly timid criticism of the former colonial power is becoming louder in the region, while governments in the region are taking concrete steps to separate themselves from Moscow.
New IS leader remains shrouded in mystery

2020-01-01

| Analysis
New IS leader remains shrouded in mystery

If Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi's successor is to avoid an internal leadership challenge, he will be forced to step out of the shadows, say analysts.