Props to @tumarov.bsky.social for very skillfully describing the cult of raw power being created by Tashiev, the Sopranos-esque head of Kyrgyzstan’s rapidly expanding security services youtu.be/cQeb5cdHs1I?...

Beyond the much-discussed trade figures, new projects, & investments, the China+Central Asia summit holds another dimension. W/ @peterleonard1.bsky.social @capsunlock.bsky.social we delved into the visibility of local agency operating behind the scenes: pod.link/1781868199

Grateful to Lim Min Zhang for quoting me in @thestraitstimes.bsky.social on the #China–#CentralAsia summit! We discussed forum diplomacy, public opinion, and elite–society divides. Always a pleasure to be quoted with @tumarov.bsky.social. www.straitstimes.com/opinion/chin...

Great interview by @tumarov.bsky.social where he meticulously outlines the rapid authoritarian consolidation underway in Kyrgyzstan. Japarov is very diligently speed-running his way to authoritarianism in attempt to catch up with neighboring states storage.googleapis.com/qurium/kloop...

For the first time since the collapse of the Soviet Union, none of the five Central Asian governments have any grievances against one another. Had a great conversation on Central Asia with LRT: www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-e...

It was an honor to be the guest of the final episode of THE podcast on Central Asia, the Majlis Podcast, hosted by the one&only @pannierb.bsky.social. Together w/ Bakyt Beshimov & @nargiskassenova.bsky.social, we've discussed Central Asia's position in global politics: www.rferl.org/a/majlis-rus...

Had a great conversation with Agnieszka Pikulicka-Wilczewska for her new media Turan Tales on China-Central Asia: Subscribe to her podcast on any platform you use: plinkhq.com/i/1799753984...

From our spring issue: @tumarov.bsky.social on the de-risking dilemma. ip-quarterly.com/en/de-riskin...

Kyrgyzstan arrests four people in the city of Osh for allegedly recruiting mercenaries to fight for Russia in Ukraine. Among those arrested is a representative of the Russian House in Osh and a member of the mayor’s communications team www.currenttime.tv/a/kyrgyzstan...

The Central Asia gang in the Hague ☀️ @irnahofman.bsky.social @plovism.bsky.social

Future problems cannot be ruled out, but for the first time since the Soviet collapse, none of the five Central Asian governments have any political grievances against each other. Why now and what's next for Central Asia: carnegieendowment.org/russia-euras...

“For the first time since the Soviet collapse, none of the five Central Asian governments have any political grievances against each other.“ @tumarov.bsky.social and Alibek Mukambayev on the landmark agreements to resolve border disputes in Central Asia: carnegieendowment.org/russia-euras...

#OpEd Apart from the economic obstacles facing the U.S. plan, Russia is extremely unlikely to want to contain China — they have too much in common, writes @tumarov.bsky.social.

Central Asia’s “frankly bonkers” March heatwave, which saw temperatures up to 10C above pre-industrial levels, was intensified by climate change, according to new research published as countries around the world suffer exceptional spring weather. www.ft.com/content/164a...

In my hometown, Samarkand, the EU & Central Asian countries have kicked off their 1st-ever high-level summit as the bloc eyes new trade & infrastructure investments while aiming to significantly elevate Brussels’ ties w/ the region. www.rferl.org/a/eu-central...

If you missed our conversation about China's investment strategy in Central Asia with Nargiza Murataliyeva, Pan Yanliang, and Yunis Sharifli, you can watch the recording on @carnegieendowment.org's YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/live/vWZVWAm...

It’s difficult enough for Europe to find the right response to the ever-closer Russia-China relationship. The apparent US attempt to split Moscow from Beijing is making matters worse. My latest for @ipq.bsky.social ip-quarterly.com/en/de-riskin...

OUT TODAY: Our spring issue, The China Factor, featuring: @ivadica.bsky.social @henninghoff.bsky.social @tumarov.bsky.social @josephdeweck.bsky.social @rebeccawire.bsky.social @noahbarkin.bsky.social @ayaadachi.bsky.social @ljohnson.bsky.social and more! ip-quarterly.com/en/spring-20...

Moscow doesn't want to be seen as sacrificing its relationship w/ China for the sake of being closer to the US. For Moscow, this relationship is a strategic interest, & there are many reasons why it's just unimaginable for Russia to turn its back on China kyivindependent.com/match-made-i...

Confronted by Putin and Trump, Europe is being reconfigured. This is a chance for Turkey to become a full member of Europe’s club under a new set of rules. It should not let the opportunity go to waste. @dimitarbechev.bsky.social foreignpolicy.com/2025/03/19/t...

"The decision to terminate the federal grant agreement funding for RFE/RL is a crushing blow for hundreds of millions of people" @pannierb.bsky.social timesca.com/opinion-what...

Tajikistan publicly showcased its newly acquired Chinese HQ-17AE short-range SAM system for the first time during a military parade. politik.uz/novosti/tadz...

The Trump administration has been quite open about why it wants to improve relations with Moscow: it believes closer ties will prize Russia away from China, which it sees as an existential threat. @tumarov.bsky.social on Trump’s 'Reverse Nixon' strategy: carnegieendowment.org/russia-euras...

🎙️‼️ Your weekend podcast has arrived. I'm joined by great @dsorennie.bsky.social & Yanmei Xie to discuss whether Trump can drive a wedge between Moscow and Beijing. The short answer is "no," but it's the long answer that is more interesting and consequential. carnegieendowment.org/podcasts/car...

The Kremlin will likely play along with Trump: at a minimum, increased interest from Washington strengthens Moscow’s position vis-à-vis Beijing. My take for @ceip-politika.bsky.social on Trump's 'reverse Nixon' strategy:

Seems like Macron and Mirziyoyev have found a common language

"The United States looks forward to working with Kazakhstan to deepen economic ties in the energy, telecommunications, and critical minerals sectors." From Secretary Rubio’s call with Kazakhstan's Foreign Minister Nurtleu: www.state.gov/secretary-ru...

If you missed our conversation today about China's hard and soft power in Central Asia with @nargiskassenova.bsky.social, Berikbol Dukeyev & Odil Gafarov, you can watch the recording on @carnegieendowment.org YouTube: www.youtube.com/live/WJPe2xu...

Russia is trying to curb a flood of Chinese vehicle imports in a blow to Chinese manufacturers and traders that have increasingly come to rely on shipments to its ally.

If you couldn't tune in yesterday, here's the recording. We had an excellent panel (Samuel Dover Vesterbye, @tumarov.bsky.social and Yunis Sharifli) to discuss the Middle Corridor initiative in the rapidly changing geopolitical context. www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJuB...

Join us (Davis Center) tomorrow for a timely discussion on the prospects of the Middle Corridor in the Trump Era. We will discuss the drivers and constraints of the EU's and China's engagement in implementing the initiative. daviscenter.fas.harvard.edu/events/makin...

Sharing a new piece out today in China Leadership Monitor on the changing role of China's Ministry of State Security: www.prcleader.org/post/counter...

#Kyrgyzstan and #Tajikistan settle border dispute that sparked clashes. Long-awaited news for Central Asia! Big thanks @tumarov.bsky.social for the detailed comments Follow the link to check my latest for @reuters.com www.reuters.com/world/asia-p...

Tune in to hear @alexgabuev.bsky.social discuss the recent high-level meeting between Russian and American officials and its potential implications for the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Three Years Into the Ukraine War: China’s Lifeline to Russia Endures

Russia is increasing scrutiny of Chinese automobile exports, suspending the sales of a heavy-duty truck model and raising concerns in the industry that stricter regulations could disrupt the booming trade.

"The main reason for Beijing’s seeming unwillingness to build a trilateral coalition w/ Russia & N.Korea is that such an arrangement would call for strategic leadership by China, & Beijing is decidedly uninterested in such a prospect." @radchenko.bsky.social

Reuters are seeking a correspondent to cover Central Asia careers.thomsonreuters.com/us/en/job/JR...

A crucial @carnegieendowment.org discussion on the 3rd year of Russia's war on Ukraine, featuring @andrewsweiss.bsky.social @michaelkofman.bsky.social Alexandra Prokopenko, Aaron David Miller, Eric Ciaramella. Register: carnegieendowment.org/events/2025/... Watch: www.youtube.com/live/SCV2Wkm...

Turkmenistan settles gas swap deal With Turkiye and Iran. The gas flow is planned to start on March 1, with Turkmen gas reaching Turkiye via a swap deal involving Iran. @thediplomat.com

As Arctic issues were apparently discussed at today's Russia-U.S. talks in Saudi Arabia, it's worth understanding the dynamics of the Russia-China Arctic partnership. Read a fresh @ceip-politika.bsky.social analysis: carnegieendowment.org/russia-euras...

Glencore has held preliminary discussions about selling its multibillion-dollar copper and cobalt mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo. And separately held informal discussions with potential buyers over the future of its assets in Kazakhstan. @financialtimes.com

For those wondering why Ukraine has for the first time targeted the CPC pipeline which is so important to Kazakhstan, read my colleague Sergey Vakulenko's comments in his Telegram channel (in Russian, but you can use Google translate): t.me/sergeyvakule...

Ukrainian drones struck a key pumping station on a major international pipeline in southern Russia, disrupting oil supplies from Kazakhstan

In Almalyk, Uzbekistan, w/ investment from Zhejiang Holley Global Industry Development, the establishment of the "Great Silk Road" technopark has begun. The area will host around 100 companies manufacturing electrical appliances, textiles, construction materials, & pharma

Residents of Tashkent confused Huawei workers' "group jogging activity" with a political protest. Uzbekistan's MIA had to come out with a statement explaining the situation: t.me/Sh_Giyasov_I... podrobno.uz/cat/uzbekist...

The second GCC-C5 summit will take place in May. Leaders in the Gulf and Central Asia are targeting more trade. But what trade corridor should they use? Nader Habibi assesses the three options: INSTC via Iran, DRP via Iraq, and the Trans-Afghan Corridor. www.bourseandbazaar.org/articles/202...

Tilted Axis published Hamid Ismailov's Uzbek novel "The Devils’ Dance," translated by Donald Rayfield. Ismailov fled Uzbekistan in 1992 due to arrest threats. Ismailov praised the press for supporting silenced voices and noted his ongoing ban in Uzbekistan.

Authoritarian learning in practice: Kazakhstani MP proposes to adopt a 'Foreign Agent' law to protect the county's national interests from the activities of organizations like USAID. vlast.kz/novosti/6381...

Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan claim that a border has been agreed, although they remain tight-lipped on the details. @thediplomat.com talked to locals & experts on both sides of the border in order to try and gauge expectations ahead of a prospective agreement. thediplomat.com/2025/02/hope...