Eurasia / Features
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.
Kazakhstan finds its place in the new world order
Astana continues to balance its relations with Russia, China and the West, while nurturing ties with mid-level powers such as the Gulf states and South Korea.
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.
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.
Mongolia goes for megaprojects to broaden economy
Ulaanbaatar has big plans to end dependence on raw mineral exports.
Southeast Europe erupts in weekend of protests
Protests in Serbia, Georgia and Hungary reflect mounting discontent over corruption and democratic backsliding, while Romanians turn out to show commitment to EU values in face of rising far right.
INTERVIEW: Salome Zourabichvili, Georgia’s fifth president
Zourabichvili lays out the complex reality of Georgia’s ongoing political crisis, and explains how the country has become a testing ground for both Russian hybrid interference and Western diplomatic intervention.
Azerbaijan and Armenia reach agreement on historic peace deal
Agreement sets the stage for the formal end of over three decades of hostilities, but structural and political obstacles remain.
INTERVIEW: Kazakhstan’s natural resource advantages help its startups develop exciting tech niches
Kazakhstan is well known for its abundant deposits of oil, gas and metals, but the country’s high-tech sector is also expanding, says Most Ventures CEO Alim Khamitov.
Kazakhstan's BNPL dilemma – Buy now, both you and your country will pay later
Even toilet paper is available via instalment plans in Central Asia’s largest economy. Red lights are now flashing over inflationary and consumer debt impacts.
Turkmenistan is trying to come out of its shell
Economic necessity is the mother of diversification.
INTERVIEW: Industrialisation is key to Kazakhstan’s development, says EDB chief economist
New phase of development is set to expand the non-resource sector, with manufacturing leading the way, according to the Eurasian Development Bank’s Evgeny Vinokurov.
Can Emerging European countries afford to rearm?
As European countries face a pressing need to rearm amid fears the US may pull back from its security commitments, an EBRD report shows higher defence spending is already putting pressure on public finances.
PANNIER: China’s big push into Uzbekistan
Wave of projects in energy, mining, factories and construction and water conservation. Critical minerals could be next.
Rail link to supercharge Mongolia’s coal exports to China
Mongolian trade minister tells bne IntelliNews the mega-project is a “game-changer” due to his country’s historic reliance on trucking.
EBRD lowers 2025 forecasts citing subdued global growth and trade fragmentation
Weaker external demand and potential impact of Trump tariffs weigh on Emerging Europe, Central Asia and Semed regions, with growth now projected at 3.2%.
INTERVIEW: New growth drivers for Kazakhstan’s economy, says BCC Invest
BCC Invest head of research Sultan Zhumagali says trade and construction have emerged as engines of growth in an economy that is no longer purely resource-driven.
Azerbaijan moves to erode media freedom
The suspension of BBC News Azerbaijani’s operations and the financial collapse of Turan Information Agency — within days of each other — signal an accelerating erosion of independent journalism.
Mongolia on a soft power jolt to develop tourism, cultural exports take to stages worldwide
From horsehead fiddles at Sydney Opera House to hard rock at Glastonbury, a Davos pop-up and Broadway, you can’t miss the invitation.
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.