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Central Asia in Focus: Doing Business with the Taliban

In this week’s edition: Business relations between the Taliban and Central Asia are blooming, two Kazakh citizens were killed in a Russian anti-terrorism operation, and more.

President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of Russia Vladimir Putin, and President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyaev (from left to right) at the opening ceremony of Russian gas supplies to Uzbekistan through the territory of Kazakhstan on Oct. 7, 2023. Akorda.kz (Public Domain).

Central Asia in Focus: Uzbekistan to Spend $500m to Prep for More Russian Gas Imports

In this week’s edition: Uzbekistan will spend $500m to prep for more Russian gas imports, the price of flour and bread jumps in Turkmenistan, and more.

Activist Liya Bergen stands by the monument to independence with a sign addressing the mayor: “Dosaev, don’t break tradition, allow the march!” in Almaty, Kazakhstan on Feb. 2, 2024. Manshuk Assautay (RFE/RL).

Central Asia in Focus: Kyrgyz Court Closes Down Kloop

In this week’s edition: a Bishkek court ruled to “liquidate” Kloop Media. Plus Kazakh activists are working to be allowed to gather for International Women’s Day, and more.

Historian Mikhail Smolin on Russia’s NTV on Jan. 26, 2024. (Screen grab).

Central Asia in Focus: Uzbek Politician Calls for Pulling the Plug on ‘Chauvinist’ Russian TV

In this week’s edition: an Uzbek politician calls for pulling the plug on chauvinist Russian TV. Plus the end of Raimbek ‘Milliony’ in Kyrgyzstan, and more.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan meeting with Tajik President Emomali Rahmon. (Courtesy Image).

Central Asia in Focus: Turkey Pushes Kyrgyz-Tajik Border Deal Forward

In this week’s edition: Turkey pushes the Kyrgyz-Tajik border deal forward. Plus Central Asian states are looking bad in the latest Human Rights Watch 2024 report, and more.

Satellite image shows major spill of water on the Qosh Tepa canal built by the Taliban in northern Afghanistan. (Courtesy photo).

Central Asia in Focus: Is the Taliban’s Controversial Canal Leaking Water?

In this week’s edition: is the Taliban’s controversial canal leaking water? Plus a Kyrgyz Kurultai turns into a cult fest for President Japarov, and more.

An accident at the thermal power plant in Ekibastuz, a city of 150,000 people in northeastern Kazakhstan, left parts of the plant flooded.

Central Asia in Focus: Another Winter of Energy Discontent in Kazakhstan?

In this week’s edition: will Kazakstan experience another winter of energy discontent? Plus an ethnic Karakalpak is stripped of Kazakh citizenship, and a discussion of recent protests in Kyrgyzstan against…

Pavel Kontorbaev receives his Russian passport in the city of Berdsk, Russia. (Courtesy Photo).

Central Asia in Focus: Kazakhstan Imprisons Citizen Who Fought in Ukraine

In this week’s edition: Kazakhstan imprisons a citizen who fought in Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan join the Global Methane Pledge, Rosatom is moving on its Uzbek Contract, and more. Thanks…

Dina Smailova (right), founder of NemolchiKz NGO, hands a letter and soft toy, which symbolize a raped child, to MP Irina Smirnova in Astana, Kazakhstan on Nov. 27, 2018. (RFE/RL).

Central Asia in Focus: Kazakh authorities pressure #NeMolchiKZ

In this week’s edition: Kazakh authorities pressure #NeMolchiKZ, Reporters Without Borders and Deutsche Welle support Kloop Media, Kyrgyz pensioner found guilty of calling for government’s overthrow, and more.

Starlink is a satellite internet constellation operated by SpaceX providing satellite Internet access to most of the Earth.

Central Asia in Focus: Kazakh Authorities Send Mixed Signals on Using SpaceX’s Starlink

In this week’s edition: Kazakh authorities send mixed signals on using SpaceX’s Starlink, EU Anti-Drug Program warns of increase of Afghan methamphetamines in Uzbekistan, Turkmen authorities prevent journalist from collecting…

Afghanistan Ambassador to Tajikistan Muhammad Zahir Aghbar, appointed by ousted Afghan President Ghani, rips up a letter from Taliban acting Foreign Minister announcing his government’s appointment of a “first secretary” to the embassy in Dushanbe, Tajikistan on Nov. 7, 2023. (RFE/RL).

Central Asia in Focus: Two Afghan Governments Represented in Tajikistan

In this week’s edition: two Afghan governments are represented in Tajikistan, Iran is involved in a deal to sell Turkmen gas to Iraq, RFE/RL journalist Alsu Kurmasheva is detained in…

The new Central Asian trade corridor is being set up to avoid transportation bottlenecks, such as this traffic jam at the Kyrgyzstan-Kazakhstan border in August 2023.

Central Asia in Focus: New Russian Trade Corridors Through Central Asia

In this week’s edition: a new Russian trade corridor in Central Asia, an Uzbek citizen was sent to prison for fighting in Ukraine, how foreign wars are affecting governments and…

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