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Satellite image shows major spill of water on the Qosh Tepa canal built by the Taliban in northern Afghanistan. (Courtesy photo).

Central Asia in Focus: Is the Taliban’s Controversial Canal Leaking Water?

In this week’s edition: is the Taliban’s controversial canal leaking water? Plus a Kyrgyz Kurultai turns into a cult fest for President Japarov, and more.

An accident at the thermal power plant in Ekibastuz, a city of 150,000 people in northeastern Kazakhstan, left parts of the plant flooded.

Central Asia in Focus: Another Winter of Energy Discontent in Kazakhstan?

In this week’s edition: will Kazakstan experience another winter of energy discontent? Plus an ethnic Karakalpak is stripped of Kazakh citizenship, and a discussion of recent protests in Kyrgyzstan against…

Pavel Kontorbaev receives his Russian passport in the city of Berdsk, Russia. (Courtesy Photo).

Central Asia in Focus: Kazakhstan Imprisons Citizen Who Fought in Ukraine

In this week’s edition: Kazakhstan imprisons a citizen who fought in Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan join the Global Methane Pledge, Rosatom is moving on its Uzbek Contract, and more. Thanks…

Dina Smailova (right), founder of NemolchiKz NGO, hands a letter and soft toy, which symbolize a raped child, to MP Irina Smirnova in Astana, Kazakhstan on Nov. 27, 2018. (RFE/RL).

Central Asia in Focus: Kazakh authorities pressure #NeMolchiKZ

In this week’s edition: Kazakh authorities pressure #NeMolchiKZ, Reporters Without Borders and Deutsche Welle support Kloop Media, Kyrgyz pensioner found guilty of calling for government’s overthrow, and more.

Starlink is a satellite internet constellation operated by SpaceX providing satellite Internet access to most of the Earth.

Central Asia in Focus: Kazakh Authorities Send Mixed Signals on Using SpaceX’s Starlink

In this week’s edition: Kazakh authorities send mixed signals on using SpaceX’s Starlink, EU Anti-Drug Program warns of increase of Afghan methamphetamines in Uzbekistan, Turkmen authorities prevent journalist from collecting…

Afghanistan Ambassador to Tajikistan Muhammad Zahir Aghbar, appointed by ousted Afghan President Ghani, rips up a letter from Taliban acting Foreign Minister announcing his government’s appointment of a “first secretary” to the embassy in Dushanbe, Tajikistan on Nov. 7, 2023. (RFE/RL).

Central Asia in Focus: Two Afghan Governments Represented in Tajikistan

In this week’s edition: two Afghan governments are represented in Tajikistan, Iran is involved in a deal to sell Turkmen gas to Iraq, RFE/RL journalist Alsu Kurmasheva is detained in…

The new Central Asian trade corridor is being set up to avoid transportation bottlenecks, such as this traffic jam at the Kyrgyzstan-Kazakhstan border in August 2023.

Central Asia in Focus: New Russian Trade Corridors Through Central Asia

In this week’s edition: a new Russian trade corridor in Central Asia, an Uzbek citizen was sent to prison for fighting in Ukraine, how foreign wars are affecting governments and…

Funerals for miners killed in a coal mine explosion in coal mine named after Ivan Kostenko of ArcelorMittal Temirtau company. Al Mashani Mosque in Karaganda, Kazakhstan on Oct. 30, 2023. Nurgul Tapaeva (RFE/RL).

Central Asia in Focus: Kyrgyzstan Falling Deeper in Debt to China

In this week’s edition: Kyrgyzstan is falling deeper in debt to China, Kazakhstan’s latest mining accident, the UN presses Tajikistan on imprisoned rights defenders, and more.

A Central Asian labor migrant filling out a military registration card in Russia. (Social media).

Central Asia in Focus: Russia Wants Central Asian Migrants to Serve in Ukraine

In this week’s edition: Russia wants Central Asian migrants to serve in Ukraine, a debate on morality in the Kyrgyz Parliament, the challenge of kleptocracy in Central Asia, and more.

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