Country
Kyrgyzstan
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.
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?
Kyrgyz ‘Foreign Representatives’ Bill Passes First Reading in Parliament
By Catherine Putz
The bill must be passed in three readings before heading to the president, but time is growing short for amendments to be made.
Who Will Actually Benefit From the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan Railroad?
By Navruz Karimov and Abror Kurbonmuratov
Connectivity projects are crucial for landlocked Central Asian countries. Yet the railway brings major concerns: a lack of transparency, smuggling risks, and a possible debt trap.
This Week in Asia: October 13, 2023
The Diplomat’s weekly video round-up of Asia news.
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.
Voices of Doubt: Unraveling the Ambiguities Surrounding Kolbaev’s Killing
By Aksana Ismailbekova
The Kyrgyz public’s doubts and questions about the Kolbaev killing are the expression of what they cannot see for lack of a transparent legal system amid the state’s apparent fight against criminality.
Kyrgyzstan Undermines Constitutional Court With New Avenues to Revise Decisions
By Colleen Wood
Two years after re-instituting the Constitutional Court, Japarov has approved a law that opens its decisions to presidential interference.
This Week in Asia: October 6, 2023
The Diplomat’s weekly video round-up of Asia news.
Kyrgyz Kingpin Kolbaev Killed in Bishkek Pub by Security Services
By Catherine Putz
Kolbaev’s death was a sudden end to a long, infamous, career of escaping the law both internationally and within Kyrgyzstan.
Mysterious Border Protocol Signed Between Kyrgyz and Tajik Security Chiefs
By Catherine Putz
The details of “Protocol No. 44” are unknown, but both sides clearly want to portray some kind of progress in their drawn-out border negotiations.
Bill to Label ‘Foreign Representatives’ in Kyrgyzstan Moves Forward
By Catherine Putz
Discussions have resumed in Kyrgyzstan’s parliament over a proposed “foreign representatives” bill reminiscent of Russia’s “foreign agents” law.