Blog
Crossroads Asia
Central Asia’s Post-Ukraine Future
By Ahmad Tariq Noorzadeh
Maintaining a balancing act between Russia, China and the West will only become more difficult for Central Asia.
Mongolia’s Cultural Diplomacy Brings New Deals With Fulham FC, BBC
By Bolor Lkhaajav
Mongolia is thinking outside the box in its attempts to diversify its economy, especially by promoting the tourism sector.
Mongolia’s Election Brings Diverse Multiparty Representation and Corruption Concerns
By Bolor Lkhaajav
The election installed four parties and one coalition in parliament, but also sparked allegations about bribery and vote-buying.
Kazakh Journalist Sadyqov Dies in Ukraine, Suspects Fled to Kazakhstan
By Catherine Putz
Ukrainian authorities identified two suspects, both Kazakh nationals. Open source investigations by journalists suggest the two men have government connections.
What the North Korea-Russia Rapprochement Means for Mongolia’s Transit and Transport Network
By Sumiya Chuluunbaatar and Khurelbaatar G
China, Russia, and North Korea have strengthened cooperation, which may solve the dilemmas of the Tumen River corridor and provide historical opportunities for Mongolia to access new seaports.
Why the Mongolian President’s First State Visit to Uzbekistan Matters
By Sophia Nina Burna-Asefi
Concern has gripped policymakers in Uzbekistan and Mongolia over how to balance Russia, China, and the West amid rising tension over Ukraine and an unstable Afghanistan.
Reviving Energy Interdependence in Central Asia
By Peter Krasnopolsky
How the Central Asian Integrated Power System failed, and what might bring it back online.
SCO Set Grow in Astana With Addition of Belarus
By Catherine Putz
The SCO Summit will add Belarus to the roster. Xi and Putin are attending, but Modi is skipping.
Akyn Askat Zhetigen Sentenced to 3 Years by Kyrgyz Court
By Catherine Putz
The musician’s social commentary is entirely within the grand tradition of Kyrgyz akyns going back centuries. But speaking up is risky business in Kyrgyzstan these days.
Turning Out for Bishkek’s Trolleybuses
By Colleen Wood
Activists and Bishkek government officials are pushing back on the mayor’s office’s swift move to get rid of the city’s trolleybuses.
Counting Underway on Mongolia’s Parliamentary Election Marked by Efforts to Woo Disillusioned Voters
By Ken Moritsugu
With about 88 percent of the votes counted, the Mongolian People’s Party was leading, but the Democratic Party appeared to be doing better than the last election.
Kyrgyzstan’s Hot (Mess) Transport Summer
By Colleen Wood
A number of initiatives to shake up public transport in Bishkek have come to a head this summer.