Country
Kazakhstan
Wind in the Sails of Renewables in Kazakhstan
By Catherine Putz
Astana signs yet another wind farm deal, this time with COP28 host UAE’s Masdar for the development of a 1 gigawatt wind power project.
Central Asia’s Great Energy Paradox
By Assel Tutumlu and Farkhod Aminjonov
Why does the energy-rich region experience such frequent power and heating failures?
EU Sanctions Envoy Strikes Positive Tone in Astana
By Catherine Putz
Central Asia features prominently in conversations about evasion of sanctions on Russia and the possibility of secondary sanctions on the region’s economies.
Kazakhstan’s Yurts of Peace: Citizen Diplomacy in the Making
By Zhaniya Bekshora
Kazakh citizen diplomacy can be viewed as a tool for cultivating humanism and demonstrating solidarity, as well as an important foreign policy instrument.
Long Prison Term for Aspirational Kazakh Opposition Leader
By Catherine Putz
Nurzhan Altaev was given a 10-year sentence earlier this month, and another opposition leader, Marat Zhylanbaev, is expected to see a similar sentence soon.
Why Is the Eurasian Economic Union Broken?
By Elvira Aidarkhanova
The EAEU is largely ineffective in terms of economic cooperation and integration, which are paradoxically its very reasons for being.
Central Asia Faces Challenges and Sees Opportunities Amid Complex Geopolitical Outlook
By Catherine Putz
A conversation with Temur Umarov about Russia, China, and Central Asia amid the war in Ukraine.
Reclaiming Culture and Identity as a Central Asian Adoptee
By Christopher von Claparede-Niemann
As a generation of Central Asian adoptees enter adulthood in the United States, their personal quests for identity sit side-by-side with discussions of decolonization.
Kazakhstan’s First Go at Direct Elections of District Mayors
By Colleen Wood
Incumbents from the ruling party swept elections for district-level leadership.
The Transition to Sustainable Heating in Central Asia Is Critical and Achievable
By Charles Cormier and Jas Singh
A transition to sustainable heating would mean fuel and cost savings, lower emissions, and greater energy independence.
This Week in Asia: November 10, 2023
The Diplomat’s weekly video round-up of Asia news.
What’s Behind the Increased Diplomatic Push in Kazakhstan?
By Nikola Mikovic
Putin undoubtedly seeks to preserve the status quo in Russia’s relations with Kazakhstan. And Tokayev continues implementing Astana’s decades-old multi-vector foreign policy.
Organization of Turkic States Seeks to Unite Europe With Asia
By Mark Temnycky
Continued dialogue between countries from Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia suggests that the political climate in the region is changing.
Kazakhstan-US Convene Enhanced Strategic Partnership Dialogue in Astana
By Catherine Putz
U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu heads to Uzbekistan and India next.
What a National Tragedy Says About Labor Rights in Kazakhstan
By Alva Omarova
Workers’ rights and safety have been routinely neglected both by private companies and the state, resulting in tragedies like the fire that killed 46 miners last month.
Putin Heads to Kazakhstan, With Strategic Ties and Trade on the Agenda
By Catherine Putz
One elephant in the room, of course, will be the subject of sanctions evasion.
2 Russians Granted Asylum-Seeker Status in Kazakhstan, Pausing Possible Extradition
By Catherine Putz
Extradition proceedings may be paused for now, but the final outcome remains unclear.
How Is the Israel-Hamas War Being Framed in Central Asia?
By Colleen Wood
Journalists, influencers, and religious teachers are using social media to inform Central Asians about the Israel-Hamas war.
Pair of Trials Put Behind Closed Doors in Kazakhstan
By Catherine Putz
Two different trials, of two separate unregistered political party leaders, were both placed behind closed doors this week.
Mine Fire in Kazakhstan Kills 46, Accelerates Nationalization Talks
By Catherine Putz
After years of safety problems, ArcelorMittal confirms its in talks to transfer ownership to Kazakhstan. But a change of ownership won’t necessarily make mining any safer.
Central Asian Governments React to the Israel-Palestine Conflict
By Colleen Wood
To what extent have religious ties or geopolitical ambitions shaped Central Asian governments’ responses to growing violence in Gaza?
How Kazakhstan Helps Russia Bypass Western Sanctions
By Rahimbek Abdrahmanov and Kamshat Zhumagulova
The parallel imports that pass through Kazakhstan to Russia represent a complex equation with variables ranging from the customs union to corruption.
Another Summit to Watch: Commonwealth of Independent States Heads to Gather in Kyrgyz Capital
By Catherine Putz
Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to attend. It will be his first trip abroad since the ICC issue an arrest warrant in March 2023.
A Fourth Karakalpak Released From Detention in Kazakhstan
By Catherine Putz
While the releases in Kazakhstan have been welcomed by the Karakalpak community, it’s clear that a sense of unease remains.