Blog
Crossroads Asia
Kyrgyz Parliament Passes Media Law With Last-Minute Changes
By Catherine Putz
After years of working toward a compromise, the Kyrgyz parliament pushed through a new media law that resurrects previous drafts’ most controversial provisions.
C5+Xi: China Makes Moves in Eurasia
By Wesley Alexander Hill
For all the pomp, pageantry, and promises, China’s latest overture into Central Asia is mostly more of the same, but that’s still important.
A Business Hub for Central Asia’s Elite? What to Expect From Alatau
By Albert Otkjær
While Tokayev’s vision of a futuristic Singapore-style city is slowly getting started, it takes a different development approach than Astana did. Still, questions over financing and local impact persist.
How Iran’s Collapse Could Trigger a Central Asian Refugee Crisis
By Arman Amini
Central Asia may not be centered in current headlines, but it could soon find itself on the front lines of the next refugee crisis.
Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan Moving Central Asia Toward Regional Integration
By Zhansaya Sembayeva and Zhanat Makasheva
Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are increasingly recognizing that cooperation is not a concession, but a strategic advantage.
With New PM and Cabinet, Mongolia’s Coalition Government 2.0 Takes Shape
By Bolor Lkhaajav
Zandanshatar Gombojav is now the prime minister, but there are a few familiar faces left in his Cabinet.
1 Region, 5 Realities: Rethinking the EU’s Central Asia Engagement
By Pelle Paulus Smits
A one-size-fits-all approach overlooks the sharp societal, institutional, and political differences between the states of Central Asia.
Why Uzbekistan Seeks to Establish a West-South Transport Axis
By Nargiza Umarova
Uzbekistan’s involvement in servicing transport and transit flows to Europe is minimal, presenting ample opportunities for development.
How Kazakhstan Can Build a Non-Resource-Based Growth Model
By Alberto Frigerio
A non-resource-based growth path, anchored in clean energy, logistics, agriculture, and industrial upgrading, is a strategic necessity for Kazakhstan.
Russia’s Rosatom Selected to Take Lead on Kazakhstan’s 1st Nuclear Power Plant
By Catherine Putz
A deal with China is reportedly in the works to construct a second nuclear power plant.
Amid Chinese Investments in Tajikistan, Pamiris Are Losing Their Agency
By Oliver Reschreiter and Lila Bednarska
For the Pamiris, the prospects of benefiting from trade and development are dim, rather the populace will almost certainly lose their agency.
The Historical Great Powers of Asia: Central Asia
By Akhilesh Pillalamarri
By the time the greatest steppe empire of them all, the Mongol Empire, arose in the 13th century, Turkic and Mongolic peoples had dominated the region for centuries