Blog
Crossroads Asia
Uzbekistan’s Struggle to Regulate Privately Organized Muslim Pilgrimage Tours Continues
By Niginakhon Saida
Amid growing reports of fraud, poor service, and legal cases involving thousands of stranded pilgrims, Tashkent continues to introduce new regulatory measures.
Local Employee of Russian Cultural Agency Detained in Recruitment Case in Kyrgyzstan
By Catherine Putz
Four people were detained in Osh on April 19 in connection with a case of mercenary recruitment.
Mongolia’s Interim Free Trade Deal With the EAEU: What’s at Stake?
By Bolor Lkhaajav and Erdene-Ochir Enkhbayar
Mongolia's government sees the temporary FTA as tool to expand imports, but business groups and policy experts in Mongolia have voiced concern about the deal's implications.
How Has Kazakhstan’s Foreign Policy Evolved Under Tokayev?
By Zhangeldi Agybay and Tolen Zhengisbek
Tokayev’s foreign policy marks a calibrated shift that emphasizes national sovereignty, economic pragmatism, and diversified multilateral alignments.
Central Asia Opens Diplomatic Rift With Turkiye Over Cyprus
By Paolo Sorbello
Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan signed U.N. resolutions deeming Northern Cyprus “occupied.”
Trans-Afghan Railway: Will Uzbekistan Develop the Kandahar Route?
By Nargiza Umarov
The route through Kandahar can lead to both Pakistan and Iran, an attractive prospect for Tashkent.
Why Uzbekistan Continues to Push for Engaging With Afghanistan
By Niginakhon Saida
Tashkent sees stability in Afghanistan as essential for the security and stability of the broader Central and South Asian region.
What Mongolia Can Learn From South Korea’s Waste Management System
By Bolor Lkhaajav and Khaliun Sanchir
South Korea’s zero waste strategy can also provide a solution to solving Mongolia’s growing waste crisis.
The Time Is Now For Kazakhstan to Achieve Energy Independence From Russia
By Kuat Dombay
Kazakhstan can leverage Russia’s desperate need for export markets by pushing for a pipeline, finally, across the Caspian Sea.
Satire on Trial: Temirlan Yensebek in Kazakh Court for Using a Rude Rap Track
By Catherine Putz
An offensive 20-year-old rap song may land a Kazakh satirist in jail for seven years. But there's more to the case than a rude song.
Tajikistan Criminalizes Electricity Use Fraud Amid Energy Crisis
By Kulobiddin Norov
In the first instance of criminalizing illegal electricity consumption in Central Asia, Tajikistan is introducing prison sentences up to 10 years.
Andijan Taxi Driver Sentenced for Attempt to Recruit Uzbeks into the Russian War in Ukraine
By Catherine Putz
A Russian contact offered the man up to $1,000 to recruit his passengers into traveling to Russia to work in the conflict zone.
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