FPRI BMB Ukraine: Central Asia surprisingly neutral on Russian war in Ukraine

To the surprise of many, each of the Central Asian Republics has maintained a neutral stance on Russia’s military operations in Ukraine.

A maze of smuggler tunnels: the Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan border

The four smuggling tunnels found so far may only be a small part of the total.

Death of China-to-Russia cargo transit routes means it’s all aboard for Kazakhstan

Vladimir Putin wants to reorientate Russian trade east and south. To some extent, such a strategy will be complicated by an avoid-Russia-at-all-costs mentality drawing commerce to a ‘Middle Corridor’.

Book review | China’s “detached” power

A new book exposes the hollowness of many Western assumptions about China’s role in Central Asia.

As Russian economy sputters, UK lures Central Asian labour migrants

More than 7,000 Kyrgyz nationals applied for seasonal farming jobs in Britain

After 675 years researchers conclude Kyrgyzstan was the home of the Black Death

Academic detective work led scientists to a pair of 14th-century cemeteries that held an unusually high number of tombstones dated to 1338 and 1339. DNA sequencing did the rest.

CENTRAL ASIA BLOG: Whisper it, but work on 25-year-old China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project may finally start

Freight dispatchers desire to avoid sanctioned Russia may have motivated Chinese officials to get a move on.

China hectors Central Asia to steer clear of big power politics

Foreign Minister Wang Yi used a visit to Central Asia to talk about the United States. But his counterparts wanted to talk business.

Kyrgyzstan: Prosecutors use 2010 ethnic unrest as cudgel against government opponents

Activists are bewildered by how the government has chosen to revisit the events of 2010 in this way.

Q&A | UN warns crises may force 70% of Kyrgyzstanis into poverty

Reliance on migrant remittances has left Kyrgyzstan especially vulnerable to the pandemic and Russia’s war.

Kyrgyzstan: Pit wall cracks raise questions over future of giant Kumtor gold mine

The president has preventively denied any future responsibility for accidents that might happen at the mine.

Kyrgyzstan’s big-dollar deal with newbie Chinese company raises questions

Bishkek is pinning its industrial hopes on a small Chinese company with no past. The opaque arrangement reflects how Kyrgyzstan’s government does business.

Kyrgyzstan's Peak Putin becomes a case of 'pique Putin' as protesters plant Ukrainian flag atop mountain

Police struggle to find climbers capable of getting to mountain top to remove prank protest 4,446 metres up.

Uzbekistan: China comes bearing gifts

Will a railway connecting the two countries via Kyrgyzstan ever happen?

CEE companies weather the COVID-19 crisis

Prompt and decisive government intervention, financial lifelines and firms’ involvement in global value chains have helped minimise insolvencies, says EIB/EBRD report.

Kyrgyzstan: Eccentric health minister fights for his job amid claims of corruption and bullying

That Beishenaliyev has held onto his job this long has much to do with his old friendship with the president.

Kyrgyzstan posts 10% expansion in Jan-April industrial output

Lukashenko hits out at lack of unity shown by member nations of Russia-led military bloc

In front of Putin in Moscow, Belarusian dictator addresses counterparts from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Armenia.

EBRD expects 30% GDP contraction in Ukraine in 2022, lowers emerging Europe projections

The EBRD has cut its 2022 emerging Europe growth forecasts again, reflecting a sharp downgrade for Ukraine and the regional fallout from the war and sanctions.

Perspectives | Does a Russian bank merit a sanctions waiver for Central Asia?

Transkapitalbank has requested the US Treasury let it continue to operate in Central Asia.