Tajikistan
Central Asian states make progress in addressing hunger
Tajikistan remains a country of concern.
Tajikistan’s “radioactive” city Istiqlol set for decontamination work 75 years after role in first Soviet atomic bomb
Reporter who visited immediately complained of headaches and a burning throat in locality plagued by uranium waste sites.
Tajikistan: Government report highlights problems of poverty and unemployment
Most families need to spend more than they earn to afford basics.
Nine in 10 terrorist Tajiks recruited after migration period in Russia, study shows
Disillusioned with life under regime back home, migrant workers come under influence of extremist imams and online groups.
Kyrgyzstan facing growing winter power shortfall as demand growth outpaces investment plans
Though water levels are up at hydropower reservoirs, hot summer was a big drain on electricity reserves as air conditioners were cranked up.
Five Turkic states give nod to common Latin alphabet
Expect to hear some grumbles from the purveyors of Cyrillic in Moscow.
Uzbekistan records 84% y/y rise in medical tourist visits in 8M24
More than two-thirds of trips made by Tajiks. Country has a growing role as a regional healthcare tourism hub.
UN rights council takes Tajikistan to task
Dushanbe has done nothing to promote healing of wounds left by civil war.
EBRD forecasts robust growth across Central Asia
Remittances, higher wages and greater international tourism interest main drivers in rising GDP, says development bank.
EBRD lowers Emerging Europe growth forecasts amid economic challenges
Development bank expects 2.8% growth across its region of operations in 2024, rising to 3.5% in 2025.
COMMENT: Strengthening Interregional Connectivity: A Path to Prosperity for Central Asia and the Caucasus
Climate change, supply chain disruptions and the digital divide represent significant challenges to global growth. It is more important than ever to create the conditions to address these challenges.
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Central Asian leaders seek German expertise to build manufacturing base
German chancellor’s Central Asian tour lays groundwork for win-win deals that can nudge region in Westward direction.
COMMENT: For Kazakhstan, World Nomad Games were a geopolitical foot-in-the-door
Hosting the spectacular occasion, involving nearly 100 countries, was a big soft power move by a country intent on cooperation with all nations, big and small.
Scholz concludes Central Asia tour in Kazakhstan with summit of six leaders
German companies sign agreements with billions of dollars of business potential.
Afghan warlord Dostum calls for united move to end Taliban rule
Words come days after analyst predicts civil war in which the fundamentalist regime will fall.
Tajikistan: Rights group documents persistent abuses in mountainous autonomous region
Eyewitness accounts lend credence to allegations of extrajudicial killings.
Jihadists “in full swing” preparing “new September 11”, warns Afghanistan expert
Political scientist also assesses Taliban regime will fall “relatively soon” in upcoming civil war.
Central Asia is a big winner from the Ukraine war
The outbreak of war has caused devastation in Ukraine and recession in Europe, but Russia has boomed and the spillover effects means Central Asia is enjoying its strongest trade surpluses since independence and is undergoing a manufacturing boom.
COMMENT: What does Azerbaijan’s pivot toward Central Asia mean?
Azerbaijan intends to become a viable bridge between Central Asia and the West.
COMMENT: Problems with the Taliban have bottled up Central Asian trade
The return of the Taliban has been the greatest threat to regional security and has cut Central Asia off from potentially very lucrative markets in South Asia. Diplomatic efforts to normalise relations with the Taliban are going slowly.