Kazakhstan
China reportedly operating Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan, as economic ties deepen
China is now operating the former United States military facility at Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan, The Telegraph reports citing anonymous officials and satellite imagery analyses.
Kazakhstan’s annual inflation climbs to 11.8% in June, driven by utilities and food prices
Kazakhstan’s annual inflation rate rose to 11.8% in June, up from 11.3% in May, according to latest figures released by the National Statistics Bureau. Monthly inflation eased slightly to 0.8%, compared to 0.9% in May.
Emerging Europe growth resilient despite global risks, wiiw says
Economies across Central, Eastern and Southeast Europe are set to maintain solid growth in 2025 and 2026 but face downside risks from Middle East tensions, the war in Ukraine and US trade policy.
CENTRAL ASIA BLOG: Kazakhstan’s uneven transformation
There have been dramatic changes in Kazakhstan over the last decade, with a thriving fintech sector and an embrace of green technologies, but the country is still grappling with familiar political and economic challenges.
COMMENT: Competing Trans-Afghan transport routes could split Central Asia
Central Asia is bottled up by an unstable Afghanistan. It would dearly love to open a southern corridor that leads to the huge and lucrative markets of Southeast Asia that could transform the economy of the region.
Kazakhstan denies Ukrainian drones attacking Russia via its airspace
Moscow said dozens crossed western parts of its neighbour headed for Russian targets.
Kazakhstan raises $2.5bn in eurobonds
Issuance oversubscribed by a factor of two.
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After decades of neglect, Central Asia awakening to trade possibilities with Mongolia
Ulaanbaatar welcomes two Central Asian leaders in June.
Can Kazakhstan deliver on the rare earth hype?
The expectation for the "new oil" is huge – but experts point out that it is still far too early to talk about the Central Asian country having massive, confirmed REE resources.
Global uncertainty causes FDI to plummet in Emerging Europe
wiiw research blames crisis in German industry and the uncertainty surrounding Donald Trump’s second term as US president for sharp slowdown in FDI.
Central Asia has become “like a girl whose house is full of suitors”, analyst says
Powers including China, Russia, the US and the EU “all promise something to the bride” in scramble for resources such as critical minerals.
Xi signs treaty to elevate China's ties with Central Asia at Astana summit
Document refers to "permanent good-neighbourliness and friendly cooperation". Chinese leader takes jab at US, saying trade and tariff wars "produce no winners".
PANNIER: Central Asia’s space race
A satellite in orbit offers a nation prestige, essential data in handling natural disasters and, controversially, a blanket “kill switch” for the internet during unrest.
Kazakhstan awards Russia, China one nuclear plant project each, Uzbekistan revises its plan to include large facility
Solution favoured by Astana will help balance relations with Moscow and Beijing.
Israeli embassies worldwide suspend operations
Israeli diplomatic missions globally have suspended operations amid the ongoing Israeli military operation against Iran which has killed nearly 80 people.
Central Asia’s agricultural sector facing heat this coming growing season
Dry and warm conditions expected to heighten irrigation needs.
CENTRAL ASIA BLOG: Tajikistan plays role as one of world’s pre-eminent water diplomats at glacier summit, but Rogun dam remains a hard sell
Experts from near and far met in Dushanbe to discuss danger posed by melting of giant ice sheets. But was “blue-washing” obscuring threat of titanic hydro project?
Russia bringing in de facto visa regime for Central Asia nationals, say critics
Rights campaigners, meanwhile, hit out at digital controls on migrants in country that they say will be used to corner people into joining armed forces.
Football heartbreak over for Uzbekistan as team scores Central Asia first by making World Cup
Coach, mobbed by players at post-match press conference, takes congratulatory call from president. It’s time to forget nightmare of 2006.
Kazakhstan’s service sector activity expands at fastest rate in nearly three years in May, PMI data shows
At the same time, business sentiment hits six-month low, job shedding continues.