Country
Uzbekistan

Central Asian Regionalism After the 5th Leaders’ Meeting
By Filippo Costa Buranelli
Parsing what the consultative meeting in Dushanbe can tell us about the region’s present considerations and future indications.

How the EU Can Contribute to the Green Transition in Central Asia
By Alouddin Komilov
By focusing its efforts on a few key sectors, the EU can strengthen Central Asia’s resilience, prosperity, and regional cooperation.

How Uzbekistan Promotes Regional Integration in Central Asia
By Tanbaev Ozod
Despite the modest progress achieved under Uzbek leadership, there are still numerous challenges to Central Asian regionalism.

A Case for Greater US Engagement in Central Asia
By Hunter Stoll
Russian and Chinese influence in the region will never go away. But the United States now has a rare and valuable window of opportunity.

A Journey Through Central Asia’s Shifting Geopolitical Landscape
By Peter Krasnopolsky
As Russia’s position wanes in Central Asia, and China’s waxes, if American interests are to be maintained, Washington has to find ways to tap into the region’s potential.

Bipartisan Bill Seeks to Repeal Jackson-Vanik for Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan
By Catherine Putz
Senators Murphy and Young stress that the time is ripe to drop the “outdated” restrictions of Jackson-Vanik and “redefine” the U.S. relationship with Central Asia.

New Uzbekistan’s Reform Agenda: A Catalyst for Stronger US Bilateral Relations
By Ambassador Furqat Sidikov
Uzbekistan is a bedrock U.S. partner in a dynamic region.

Uzbeks, an Islamic State Smuggler, and the US Border
By Catherine Putz
A recent CNN report revealed that a smuggler with prior ties to the Islamic State may have helped a group of Uzbek nationals enter the U.S. We should not be surprised.

Can Islamic Finance Drive Banking Sector Development in Uzbekistan?
By Shokhrukhkhuja Fakhriddinkhujaev
Although there are challenges, such as a lack of legislation and expertise, Islamic finance may present new avenues for attracting investment.

Kyrgyzstan to Return Issyk-Kul Resorts to Uzbekistan
By Colleen Wood
Ownership of four lakeside resorts built during the Soviet period is another facet of water diplomacy in Central Asia.

Will We Soon See a Central Asia-US Leaders’ Summit?
By Catherine Putz
If Biden does indeed meet with the Central Asian presidents in New York on the sidelines of UNGA it will be with both Russia and China in mind.

Digitalization: How the EU Can Transform Central Asia
By Alouddin Komilov
The EU has the potential to contribute to the digital transformation of Central Asia by leveraging its comparative strengths.

Talk of Gas Unions Riles Up Turkmenistan
By Catherine Putz
What compelled a Turkmen foreign ministry official to push back on admittedly vague comments from a Russian foreign ministry official?

2 Karakalpak Activists Denied Asylum in Kazakhstan
By Catherine Putz
The two men – and three other detained Karakalpak activists – face the potential of being deported to Uzbekistan should their appeals fail.

Uzbekistan: The Tourism Destination Where LGBTQ+ Dare Not Venture
By Alva Omarova
No one should be imprisoned for who they love. Yet in Uzbekistan, the authorities engage in ongoing criminal prosecution and cruel treatment of members of the LGBTQ+ community.

After Spectacles in Karakalpak Civilian Trials, Uzbek Authorities Sentence 3 Law Enforcement Officers With Little Fanfare
By Catherine Putz
When civilians were put on trial in relation to the Karakalpakstan unrest, their names were known, their faces splattered across the media. We only have initials for the three law enforcement officers tried.

The Hujra Phenomenon: How Do Uzbekistan’s Children Learn About Islam?
By Niginakhon Saida
The apparently increasing number of hujra, clandestine religious classrooms, in Uzbekistan indicates a growing need for formal religious education that is not attainable for many at present.

A Cold War-Era Amendment is Preventing a Deepening of U.S. Relations With Central Asia
By Chris Murphy
The U.S. has an opportunity to offer Central Asia a strategic alternative to China and Russia based on partnership rather than exploitation. The Jackson-Vanik amendment stands in the way.

How to Increase Green Finance Inflows in Central Asia
By Nikolai Podguzov
With domestic policy changes, and robust external support, the region could push itself toward a net-zero future.

The Cost of Uzbekistan’s ‘Pragmatic’ Taliban Policy
By Shanthie Mariet D’Souza
Tashkent’s approach to the Taliban has shifted over the years, with the latest swing moving it toward more direct engagement.

This Week in Asia: July 14, 2023
The Diplomat’s weekly video round-up of Asia news.

From Central Asia to Europe: What Is the Most Sustainable Transport Corridor?
By Catherine Putz
A recent European study highlighted the Central Trans-Caspian Network as the best option to connect Central Asia with Europe.

Dynamic Repression Amid Uzbekistan’s Snap Presidential Election
By Alva Omarova
The state seems to aim for branding Uzbekistan as dynamic. Its approach to free speech is anything but.

In Uzbekistan, Another Z-Artist’s Concert Canceled
By Niginakhon Saida
Is it over for Russian Z-artists in Central Asia?