Afghanistan
COMMENT: Embracing “Greater Central Asia” has become a strategic imperative for US
Wider region increasingly seen as arena in which major powers’ interests, such as in sourcing critical minerals, collide and converge.
URUS-ClearPic: The Big Four of US, China, Russia and Europe vie for investment in Central Asia
Historically, it is the ultimate crossroads between Europe, the Middle East, South Asia and East Asia – and the central component for most of the Silk Road. Now the Central Asian countries find themselves caught between the Big Four.
Russia removes Taliban from terrorist list, acknowledging it as legitimate leadership of Afghanistan
Russia has formally removed the Taliban from its list of designated terrorist organisations, officially recognising it as the legitimate government of Afghanistan on April 17.
Taliban seek $100mn from World Bank to restart work on CASA-1000 electricity transmission project
Ambition to interconnect Central Asian and South Asian power grids held up by incomplete work in Afghanistan.
PANNIER: It’s exactly 20 years since Kyrgyzstan’s Tulip Revolution. What lessons did Central Asia’s rulers learn?
Proponents of democracy won’t like the answer.
China sits on the Afghan-Pakistan fence as the Uyghurs watch and wait
As the largest foreign investor in both Pakistan and Afghanistan, China has thus far remained silent on the escalating tensions between the two neighbouring countries.
Several EU countries back push to fund Prague-based RFE/RL in response to Trump axeing it
Member states want EU to fund Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty after US President Donald Trump issued an executive order aimed at dismantling the Agency for Global Media.
Why India’s adversaries force it to engage with authoritarian regimes
These ‘enemy of my enemy is my friend’ dynamics, while fraught with challenges, offer New Delhi the opportunity to secure its regional influence, contain cross border threats, and protect its economic and strategic assets.
Environmental groups caution against overdevelopment of river resources in Central Asia
Call on international financial institutions to reevaluate projects.
Afghan opium prices skyrocket amid ban, fuelling organised crime
Poppy production is again on the rise in Afghanistan as spring approaches and prices for opium increase.
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.
US shows interest in bolstering ties with Central Asian states
Washington interested in widening access to region’s mineral wealth.
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.
PANNIER: Prince Karim Aga Khan IV obituary
Spiritual leader who mingled with heads of state and royalty leaves behind tremendous amount of grassroots work that will benefit Ismaili Muslim communities for generations to come.
The Aga Khan, spiritual leader of the Ismaili, passes away at 88
Billionaire philanthropist invested his fortune in lifting up communities around the world, particularly the Pamiri peoples of Tajikistan.
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Inmates shot dead as Tajik prison guards battle “Islamic State” escape attempt
Prisoners launch attack wielding shanks and hand-made knives. Tajikistan again in spotlight as terrorist recruiting ground.
Pakistan, Bangladesh strengthen ties in post-Hasina era
For much of the 54 years since Bangladesh gained its independence from Pakistan, ties between the two countries have remained strained at best. Now things are starting to look up.