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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.

Taliban-led excavation works for the Qosh Tepa canal project in Afghanistan. (Video grab from Afghan Television/THINK).

Central Asia in Focus: Taliban Mark Milestone in Controversial Canal Project

In this week’s edition: Taliban mark milestone in controversial canal project, the UN calls on Kyrgyzstan not to pass the “foreign representatives” law, Russia wants Kazakhstan to hand over a…

President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of Russia Vladimir Putin, and President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyaev (from left to right) at the opening ceremony of Russian gas supplies to Uzbekistan through the territory of Kazakhstan on Oct. 7, 2023. Akorda.kz (Public Domain).

Central Asia in Focus: Russia Starts Shipping Gas to Uzbekistan

In this week’s edition: Russia starts shipping gas to Uzbekistan; Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan send aid for Afghan earthquake victims; corruption in Tajikistan; and more.

President of Kazakhstan Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev (L) was met in Berlin by Federal Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz (R).

Central Asia in Focus: Central Asian Leaders Visit Berlin

In this week’s edition: Central Asian leaders visit Berlin, Kyrgyz Courts are called out for leniency on rapists, Kazakh Police raid Tajik migrant laborers, and more.

Kazakh Journalist Dinara Egeubayeva

Central Asia in Focus: Kazakhstan Publishes List Resembling Russia’s ‘Foreign Agent’ Registry 

In this week’s edition: Kazakhstan publishes a list resembling Russia’s ‘foreign agent’ registry, Amnesty International and the United Nations criticize Tajikistan over their treatment of Pamiris, and more.

An image of a mother and young daughter holding hands at a memorial for victims of war crimes in Bucha, Ukraine, from September 2023

Central Asia in Focus: Russia Blocks Kyrgyz, Tajik Websites For Coverage Of Ukraine

In this week’s edition: Russia blocks Kyrgyz and Tajik websites over Ukraine coverage, Kazakhstan releases Karakalpak activists from custody, Uzbekistan’s new Campaign against beards and hijabs, and more.

Photos of the weapons seized from the militants, such as bullets, magazines, guns, and others.

Central Asia in Focus: Tajik Authorities Claim Militants Crossed from Afghanistan

In this week’s edition: Tajik authorities claim militants crossed over from Afghanistan, forced labor in Turkmenistan’s cotton fields, Kyrgyz authorities crack down, and more.

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