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Crossroads Asia

Uzbekistan’s Corruption Crackdown: Progress or Perpetual Crisis?
By Kodir Kuliev and Niginakhon Saida
Despite a surge in anti-corruption efforts, systemic fraud and bribery remain deeply embedded in Uzbekistan’s governance. With thousands of officials facing charges yet minimal consequences, is real change on the horizon?

Turkmenistan Settles Gas Swap Deal With Turkiye, Iran
By Catherine Putz
According to Turkish officials, the gas flow is planned to start on March 1, with Turkmen gas reaching Turkiye via a swap deal involving Iran.

How the Curtailing of US Aid Impacts Mongolia’s Development
By Bolor Lkhaajav
Since Mongolia’s democratization in the 1990s, USAID has been a major supporter of the country's development. With USAID's future in doubt, Ulaanbaatar is watching closely.

Can Kazakhstan Succeed in Its Transition Toward Clean Energy?
By Nigel Li
Faced with climate disasters at home, Kazakhstan is accepting clean energy as a necessity, not just an ambition.

Musk Takes Aim at RFE/RL, to Japarov’s Delight
By Catherine Putz
The powers-that-be in Washington, elected and unelected alike, are parroting the same language used by Central Asian and Russian autocrats about RFE/RL.

What to Watch as Mongolia’s Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene Visits China
By Sumiya Chuluunbaatar
His discussions with Chinese leaders will focus on issues such as a long-desired cross-border railway and the coal trade, with domestic politics lurking in the background.

Former Kyrgyz Natural Resources Minister Sentenced to 8 Years
By Catherine Putz
Dinara Kutmanova and her son, once at the forefront of the Kumtor nationalization movement, were charged with abuse of office and fraud. They'd been arrested back in 2023.

OSCE Cancels Tajikistan Parliamentary Election Observation Mission
By Catherine Putz
Without guarantees that observers would be accredited, and an apparent lack of engagement by Dushanbe, the OSCE has chosen to cancel its monitoring mission.

After a Secret Trial, Lengthy Sentences for Former Tajik Officials and Politicians
By Catherine Putz
Given the classified nature of the trial, the details of the alleged plot are unknown.

Mongolia Signs Uranium Deal With French Nuclear Giant
By Bolor Lkhaajav
An investment agreement worth $1.6 billion will see France’s Orano Group and Mongolia’s MonAtom Group jointly develop the Zuuvch-Ovoo uranium mine.

EU-Central Asia Leaders’ Summit Back on the Agenda
By Catherine Putz
Planned originally for 2024, the summit is now scheduled for April 2025 in Samarkand – setting it apart from earlier China- and U.S.-Central Asia leaders summits, which occurred outside the region.

China vs India: Evolving Security Footprints in Central Asia
By Daniel Balazs
In contrast to India’s well-established bilateral security engagements with Central Asian states, China has been less active beyond the scope of the SCO.
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