Country
Kazakhstan
May 19, 2023
In Xi’an, China’s Xi Calls for a ‘Shared Future’ With Central Asia
By Catherine Putz
The summit produced the clearest iteration of Chinese interests in and commitments to Central Asia to date, but there's no "new blueprint" for relations.
May 10, 2023
Kazakhstan Moves to Curtail Parallel Trade to Russia
By Catherine Putz
The cost of electronics and household appliances in Russia may increase by 10-12 percent due to new restrictions at the Kazakh border.
May 10, 2023
Central Asian Presidents Join Putin for May 9 Victory Day Parade
By Catherine Putz
It is difficult to disentangle the political choices made by Central Asian leaders to attend Moscow’s parade this year from the ongoing war in Ukraine.
May 09, 2023
Kazakhstan’s Ports: A Vital Node of the Middle Corridor
By Wilder Alejandro Sánchez
While many issues are beyond Astana’s control, having modern and expanded ports will give the Middle Corridor a fighting chance at success.
May 09, 2023
Upcoming China-Central Asia Summit to Offer a ‘New Blueprint’ for Relations
By Catherine Putz
Xi has prepared an "important speech" and the six leaders are expected to jointly sign an "important political document.”
May 02, 2023
USCIRF Again Highlights Violations of Religious Freedoms in Central Asia
By Catherine Putz
In its latest annual report, USCIRF recommends designating Tajikistan and Turkmenistan as "countries of particular concern" and asks for Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan to be included on the special watch list for religious freedom violators.
April 28, 2023
This Week in Asia: April 28, 2023
The Diplomat’s weekly video round-up of Asia news.
April 28, 2023
Kazakhstan’s Druzhba Prospects: Central Asian Oil to Supply Europe?
By Mikhail Strokan
As the EU seeks to substitute Russian energy resources, Kazakhstan sees an opportunity.
April 25, 2023
The Kazakhstanis Picking Sides in Putin’s War in Ukraine
By Dan Storyev and Nazeer Baturin
While Kazakhstan's government is balancing, these Kazakhstanis have already picked a side in Putin's war on Ukraine.
April 25, 2023
China Affirms Ex-Soviet Nations’ Sovereignty After Uproar
By Associated Press
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.
April 24, 2023
Karim Massimov, Former Kazakh Intelligence Chief, Sentenced to 18 Years on Treason, Coup Charges
By Catherine Putz
Massimov’s supporters say the case against him was politically motivated, an incident of clear scapegoating.
April 12, 2023
Laid-off Oil Workers Detained After Overnight Protest in Astana
By Catherine Putz
The group’s detention sparked a growing crowd in Zhanaozen and highlighted, once again, the precarity faced by the country’s workers.