Country
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan’s Ports: A Vital Node of the Middle Corridor
By Wilder Alejandro Sánchez
While many issues are beyond Astana’s control, having modern and expanded ports will give the Middle Corridor a fighting chance at success.
Upcoming China-Central Asia Summit to Offer a ‘New Blueprint’ for Relations
By Catherine Putz
Xi has prepared an "important speech" and the six leaders are expected to jointly sign an "important political document.”
USCIRF Again Highlights Violations of Religious Freedoms in Central Asia
By Catherine Putz
In its latest annual report, USCIRF recommends designating Tajikistan and Turkmenistan as "countries of particular concern" and asks for Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan to be included on the special watch list for religious freedom violators.
This Week in Asia: April 28, 2023
The Diplomat’s weekly video round-up of Asia news.
Kazakhstan’s Druzhba Prospects: Central Asian Oil to Supply Europe?
By Mikhail Strokan
As the EU seeks to substitute Russian energy resources, Kazakhstan sees an opportunity.
The Kazakhstanis Picking Sides in Putin’s War in Ukraine
By Dan Storyev and Nazeer Baturin
While Kazakhstan's government is balancing, these Kazakhstanis have already picked a side in Putin's war on Ukraine.
China Affirms Ex-Soviet Nations’ Sovereignty After Uproar
By Associated Press
The Chinese ambassador to France suggested in an interview that the states of the former Soviet Union were not recognized as sovereign. Beijing walked the comments back.
Karim Massimov, Former Kazakh Intelligence Chief, Sentenced to 18 Years on Treason, Coup Charges
By Catherine Putz
Massimov’s supporters say the case against him was politically motivated, an incident of clear scapegoating.
Laid-off Oil Workers Detained After Overnight Protest in Astana
By Catherine Putz
The group’s detention sparked a growing crowd in Zhanaozen and highlighted, once again, the precarity faced by the country’s workers.
Court Bars Kazakh Opposition Figure Mamai From Activism, Journalism
By Catherine Putz
Mamai’s prison sentence was suspended, but the Kazakh government has nevertheless silenced him.
Central Asia’s Strained Security Architecture
By Saadi Khamidov
Growing divisions within the CSTO -- over Ukraine, Afghanistan, and various internal disputes -- may have serious implications for the region’s security architecture.
Kazakhstan and Afghanistan Seek to Realign Bilateral Ties
By Sophia Nina Burna-Asefi
For Kazakhstan, supporting economic development along the north-south axis would see Afghanistan becoming a bridge, not a barrier.