Eurasia / News
Turkmenistan: Shortage of conscripts hampers military modernisation
Ashgabat contemplates raising draft age.
Emerging Europe’s Ukraine critics unleashed by Trump’s attack on Zelenskiy
Leaders of Bulgaria, Georgia and Hungary back Trump in row with Ukrainian president and slam Europe's handling of the war.
Tajikistan again in spotlight as “terrorism hub” after New York arrest
Accused allegedly sent tens of thousands of dollars Islamic State extremists overseas and trained with assault rifles at shooting ranges in US.
Iranian parliament approves free trade zone with EEU
After years of negotiations, Iran's parliament has ratified an agreement with the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) to create a free trade zone.
Humanitarian crisis in western Georgia as heavy snowfall continues
Heavy snow has been falling across Georgia for seven days, with the western mountainous regions of Guria and Adjara on the Black Sea Coast particularly affected.
US shows interest in bolstering ties with Central Asian states
Washington interested in widening access to region’s mineral wealth.
Fitch warns over political and geopolitical risks to South Caucasus sovereign ratings
Political and geopolitical developments that heighten external vulnerabilities and policy weaknesses in the South Caucasus are exerting a significant influence on the sovereign credit profiles of the region’s countries, rating agency says.
Armenia, EU close in on new partnership agreement
Plans for an ambitious 'partnership agenda' were unveiled last year, coinciding with Armenia's growing estrangement from Russia.
Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan put border troubles behind them
Opening way for commerce.
Georgia’s surging art imports fuel speculation over Ivanishvili’s offshore tax exemption
Many politicians and analysts in Georgia suspect Georgian Dream founder Bidzina Ivanishvili is behind the $480.7mn of art works imported into Georgia in January.
Turkmenistan making moves to integrate into Middle Corridor trade routes
Ashgabat wants to join the party.
Detained Georgian journalist Mzia Amaglobeli ends hunger strike after 38 days
Amaglobeli is among hundreds of demonstrators arrested in Georgia since November 28 when countrywide, nightly demonstrations began in response to the ruling Georgian Dream party’s suspension of EU accession talks.
Former Georgian president and opposition members egged on return from Munich
Salome Zourabichvili called on Georgia’s Western partners for a stronger reaction to increasing domestic repression and hostility by the ruling Georgian Dream party during Munich Security Conference.
Russia says pipeline drone strike set to wipe out up to third of Kazakhstan’s oil exports
Kremlin mouthpiece Medvedev claims Ukrainian attack was designed to harm US economic interests in deliberate move against Trump.
Ukrainian drone strikes Kazakhstan’s main oil export pipeline route in Russia
Attack comes on same day Hungarian and Kazakh top diplomats back idea of Ukraine conflict talks between Putin and Trump.
Uzbekistan unveils measures to invest more in youth
Around 60% of Uzbekistan’s fast-growing population is under the age of 30, with over 30% under the age of 14.
Abkhazia presidential election goes to runoff after no candidate secures majority
Kremlin-backed Badra Gunba will face opposition leader Adgur Ardzinba in the second round.
Kyrgyzstan’s anthem “too difficult to sing”, contest called to compose another
$17,000 prize awaits winning entry. Don’t be shy.
US aid cutoff raises fears of Afghan economic collapse
Afghanistan's economy is in freefall as the new Trump administration pulls the remaining US aid to the country.
US deportation of asylum seekers to Panama condemned by Iran
The United States has deported 119 asylum seekers of various nationalities to Panama, including Iranian nationals who claim they were transferred without notice or deportation documentation.