News
CSTO Says Tajik-Afghan Border Security Remains "Complicated
52+ min ago (274+ words) A top official of the Collective Security Treaty Organization, an alliance of some post-Soviet states, says its main challenge in Central Asia continues to be the threat emanating from militants in Afghanistan's northern border region. "Despite Russia's and several Central…...
Kurultai Election Campaign Takes Shape in Parliament's Final Budget Debate
6+ hour, 15+ min ago (700+ words) Kazakhstan's outgoing parliament spent one of its final sessions debating the government's management of the 2025 budget, in what often resembled a dress rehearsal for the country's first Kurultai election campaign. On July 1, Kazakhstan's new constitution will enter into force, replacing…...
EU-Turkmenistan Human Rights Dialogue Presses Ashgabat on Rights
5+ hour, 27+ min ago (464+ words) The European Union used its latest human rights dialogue with Turkmenistan to press Ashgabat on the gap between outward engagement and domestic control. The 18th annual EU-Turkmenistan Human Rights Dialogue was held in Ashgabat on June 22. It came during a period…...
Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan Tighten Ties, Supporting Middle Corridor
1+ day, 1+ hour ago (401+ words) Image: TCA, Stephen M. Bland The main maritime route between Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan is about 300 kilometers long, linking the area around the Azerbaijani capital of Baku on the west coast of the Caspian Sea to Turkmenbashi port on the east coast....
The Fragile U. S. Iran Truce: What Central Asia Stands to Gain and Lose
1+ day, 7+ hour ago (479+ words) Image: TCA, Aleksandr Potolitsyn That interest is not merely theoretical. Tajik-Iranian trade reached $119. 6 million in the first quarter of 2026, while Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan are developing access to Iranian maritime infrastructure through Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. Analysts interviewed by Deutsche Welle said…...
Chongara and Tash-Tobo: The Villages That Changed Countries Without Moving
1+ day, 6+ hour ago (765+ words) About 2, 500 people in Chongara and Tash-Tobo now live under Kyrgyz jurisdiction. The transfer reduces the number of Uzbek enclaves in Kyrgyzstan and clears the way for a much shorter road across the Batken Region. For Umitbek, the change first appeared…...
Russian Diplomats Report No Complaints From Imprisoned Turkmen Activist Saddam Gulamov
1+ week, 6+ hour ago (264+ words) According to the document, Russian diplomats met Gulamov in person at the correctional facility in late May. The letter states that during the conversation, Gulamov described his detention conditions and food as acceptable, and said his health was satisfactory. Embassy…...
Turkmenistan's Digital Push Gains Ground Despite Tight Internet Controls
1+ week, 8+ hour ago (775+ words) Image: TCA, Stephen M. Bland Turkmenistan remains one of the world's most tightly controlled online environments. Yet its state services portal now advertises more than 500 services, the country has more than 100, 000 registered mobile-banking users, and the flagship city of Arkadag has…...
Kazakhstan's Party System Faces Its First Kurultai Test
1+ week, 2+ day ago (688+ words) Image: TCA, Stephen M. Bland Kazakhstan's shift to a unicameral, party-list Kurultai is meant to strengthen political parties. But the ruling Amanat party's June 12 vote to join the newly created Adilet party, followed by Adilet delegates' approval on June 14, shows the…...
Kyrgyz PM Courts Investors in Tashkent With Call for Shared Regional Future
1+ week, 2+ day ago (183+ words) Despite global uncertainty, Kasymaliev argued that success would favor countries willing to cooperate and move quickly: "the countries that benefit most are those that make decisions faster, establish clear rules, and remain open to long-term partnership." Kasymaliev then outlined six…...