Central Asia's presidents -- minus one -- will gather in Astana March 15-16 to discuss regional issues.

What military threats keep Russia and its Central Asian partners up at night?

Under President Mirziyoyev, Uzbekistan has shown a willingness to increase defense ties with Moscow.

The story continues to develop with denials, open doors, and the tangled web of international diplomacy.

And now for something completely different.

What are the costs and benefits of having India and Pakistan in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization?

Big plans, indeed, but will they materialize?

Moscow has plans for a region-wide air defense system.

Sergei Shoigu embodies Moscow's concerns about whether Central Asia can manage security, internally and on its periphery.

By improving frosty relations with Tashkent, Moscow can boost its leverage over Central Asia as a whole.

Divergent interests in Russia’s dispute with Turkey and Armenia’s conflict with Azerbaijan restrict the CSTO.

The group called for forming a broad coalition "without politicizing and preconditions.”

Russia vs Turkey and Uzbekistan’s co-opting of the ISIS threat; weekend reads.

Could Russian troops return to the Tajik-Afghan border? Only if asked.

A multitude of theories have emerged, but experts say Dushanbe’s troubles are home-grown.

The drills will practice "localizing an armed conflict and eliminating illegal armed formations in the Eastern European region.”