Kyrgyzstan
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Kyrgyz PM gets polite brush off by US business executives
But he secures IMF and World Bank development agreements.
Turkey’s foreign policy falling apart on all fronts, writes shadow minister
Ankara took a slap to the chops as Turkic Central Asian states inked an investment-linked deal on relations with Brussels that pointedly included no recognition of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
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.
China spikes Gazprom gas export plan in Central Asia
Russian energy company keeps gushing red ink.
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Masked Moscow police accused of beating, humiliating dozens of Kyrgyz nationals in bathhouse raid
“We just don’t like you,” one officer reportedly said when asked about the violence used. “Outright fascism,” protest activists.
China trying to expand role as arms supplier to Central Asia
Uzbekistan reportedly considering purchase of Chinese fighters.
Measuring impact of US tariffs on Central Asia and South Caucasus
Little near-term pain, but lots of uncertainty about future.
EU joins ‘Klondike’ rush for Central Asia critical minerals as bloc and region upgrade relations
Kazakhstan boasts 19 out of 34 types of critical raw materials seen as essential to EU economy, while the five 'stans' have 40% of the world’s reserves of manganese.
Rare earths top agenda at first ever Central Asia-EU summit
In aspiring for a strategic partnership with the region, Brussels has one eye firmly fixed on deposits of critical minerals.
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.
Poverty rate at risk of rising in Kyrgyzstan, despite economic growth – UN agency
Many Kyrgyz citizens are vulnerable to growing food insecurity.
EU-Central Asia: Preparing for first-of-its-kind summit aimed at bolstering trade
Caution evident in build-up to gathering.
S&P hands Kyrgyzstan ‘B+/B’ sovereign rating as country prepares for debut eurobond
Economy boosted by rerouting of supply corridors to Russia. Balance of payments position remains vulnerable.
Kyrgyzstan: Seeking Elon Musk-like figures to lead the government
Parliament ready to lower qualifications for top government posts.
Central Asian states drained rivers at lower-than-expected levels in 2024
Aral Sea inflow falls short.
Rights watchdog documents forced mobilisation of Central Asian labour migrants in Russian military
Citizenship wielded as instrument of coercion.
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.
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.
Iran, EEU free trade deal to take effect in mid-May
A comprehensive Free Trade Agreement between Iran and the Eurasian Economic Union will come into force on May 15, paving the way for stronger economic ties and potentially doubling trade volumes.