Central Asia

The meeting heralded the significant progress made in the last year on the three countries’ once-tense borders. 

The canal's completion could exacerbate regional conflict, but also presents an opportunity for regional cooperation. 

Although Central Asians represent a tiny fraction of those removed from the U.S., the numbers have exploded over the last year.

Unexploded ordnance left over from the 2022 conflict pose risks to populations in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, even as the two governments finalize a border deal.

Despite similar interests and ambitions, China’s economic presence in the region outweighs India’s.

While over 30 security and law enforcement officials have been convicted for abuse during Bloody January, the number remains low compared to the scale of violations.

After waiting six hours, Gayrat Dustov couldn’t fill his tank. His anger landed him in jail for 15 days but engendered sympathy among the public. 

In trying to dissuade anyone from noting a “Chechen trace” in the events in Uzbekistan, Kadyrov made the connection even more difficult to set aside.

A Chinese statement noted that construction of the Kyrgyz section of the CKU Railway is scheduled to begin in July 2025 and last for six years.

How did I do on my outlook for Central Asia 2024? 

The septuagenarian space port proves as reliable as ever, but geopolitics and funding mean that its future at the forefront of space exploration is far from guaranteed.

Russia’s substitution of VEB.RF with an under-the-radar firm is helping the country and its neighbors find a way around Western sanctions.