Ukraine

Ukrainian authorities identified two suspects, both Kazakh nationals. Open source investigations by journalists suggest the two men have government connections.

Outspoken critic of the Kazakh government Aidos Sadyqov was shot in the head on June 18. His attackers allegedly fled back to Kazakhstan.

Kazakh citizen diplomacy can be viewed as a tool for cultivating humanism and demonstrating solidarity, as well as an important foreign policy instrument.

Russia is reportedly looking toward its Central Asian neighbor Kazakhstan for manpower as the war in Ukraine lurches toward its 18th month.

The same circumstances that do not dissuade Tajik migrants from heading to Russia drive some Russians toward Kyrgyzstan and beyond.

The experience of Oleksii Yashchyrynskyi reflects Tokyo's surprising willingness to open its arms to refugees from the Russia-Ukraine war.

While Kazakhstan's government is balancing, these Kazakhstanis have already picked a side in Putin's war on Ukraine. 

The Chinese ambassador to France suggested in an interview that the states of the former Soviet Union were not recognized as sovereign. Beijing walked the comments back.

What trends and events shaped the region in 2022?

Back-to-back visits by Kazakh President Tokayev this week to Moscow and Paris underscore Astana’s unique position.

Despite, or rather because of, the Russia-Ukraine War, the West finally appears willing to take on the challenge of a rising China – perhaps even in the Indo-Pacific.

In a press conference with Central Asian media outlets, the Ukrainian foreign minister urged the region: “don’t let Russia use you.”

The states of Central Asia were, unsurprisingly, on a recent list of possible  “transshipment points” Russia and Belarus may use to evade sanctions.

Ukraine and Russia's rejection of Western criticism were major themes of Lavrov's public comments.

In listing an Uzbekistan-based company, the U.S. State Department has a warning: “If you do business with sanctioned entities or individuals, you risk exposure to sanctions.”

The Shangri-La Dialogue returned to convene for the first time since 2019 this year. What was on the agenda?

If the EAEU is simply an economic project, the current circumstances will strain its relevance as members suffer the consequences of close ties to the Russian economy.

As 11 more Mi-17 helicopters originally intended for Afghanistan head to Ukraine, eyes turn to the Afghan Air Force planes left in Central Asia.

Just as it is in India’s national interest to keep good relations with both Russia and West, it was in Ukraine’s to sell arms to both India and Pakistan.

Kyrgyzstani authorities are restricting protests about Russia’s war in Ukraine, but some public servants are speaking out.

Commentators are split into critics, who stress both interests and values, and defenders, who focus only on interests.

Ukrainian flags dotted many recent rallies in Almaty -- about issues as varied as pollution and International Women’s Day -- as people in Kazakhstan call for peace.

As Bishkek tries to maintain a balanced approach to the Ukraine crisis, demonstrations have been banned from key protest hotspots in the capital.

As Ukraine is burned and bombed, one family builds a bridge from Kyiv to Japan.