What are the risks and opportunities for Central Asia from the Iran war? How is the region navigating Trump’s volatility? Listen to the latest Carnegie Politika podcast episode with @alexgabuev.bsky.social and @tumarov.bsky.social here:

By refusing to extradite Russian opposition activists in the first years of the war in Ukraine, Kazakhstan built a reputation as the region’s most pro-Western nation. In the Trump era, it has no need for such a reputation. @ceip-politika.bsky.social: carnegieendowment.org/russia-euras...

While Moscow and Beijing benefit from a distracted U.S., their support for Tehran has clear ceilings. @alexgabuev.bsky.social @ceip-politika.bsky.social carnegieendowment.org/russia-euras...

Really enjoyed this episode of Turan Tales by @aga-pik.bsky.social with @skhashimov.bsky.social about Dushanbe.

Central Asia has seen a significant increase in a covert system of re-export flows back to Russia. Much of this trade is lawful, but investigative reporting & trade data patterns indicate that certain categories of tech have transited the region before reaching RUS open.substack.com/pub/thesarat...

Had a great conversation with @peterleonard1.bsky.social: Central Asia's transition puzzle: A quiet coup, constitution-tinkering, and a vanishing leader. open.substack.com/pub/havli/p/...

Sadyr Japarov appears to be on the brink of achieving what none of his predecessors managed: making Kyrgyzstan a personalist autocracy. My latest for @ceip-politika.bsky.social: carnegieendowment.org/russia-euras...

A BIG thank you to Catherine Putz, editor at @thediplomat.com & @tumarov.bsky.social of @carnegierussia.bsky.social for being on Spotlight on Central Asia to review regional cooperation in 2025.(open.spotify.com/episode/1Sye...) And thanks to our sponsors @timesca.com the Oxus Society!

Ahead of President Putin's arrival in Kyrgyzstan for high-level talks and the CSTO summit, a colossal welcome billboard was erected in Bishkek. This display was positioned with deliberate precision, effectively obscuring the Ukrainian Embassy from view...

Former Kyrgyz president Almazbek Atambayev comes out with a scathing public statement against the current authoritarian regime under Sadyr Japarov. Lots of people will roll their eyes because Atambayev contributed to the undermining of democratic institutions kaktus.media/doc/535418_a...

Central Asia is adapting its entire ideological agenda to impress one man: Donald Trump. The recent C5+1 summit was a new high point in US-Central Asian ties. But is this rapprochement real, or just risk? 🧵🧵🧵

(1/4) #CentralAsia is among the world's most vulnerable regions to #climatechange. And while some countries are heavily reliant on #fossilfuels, there is potential for #renewables across this entire part of the world. Let's take a closer look...

While the active presence of China and Russia in Central Asia is nothing new, the current level of attention from the U.S. is unusual for a region located far from the major global crises. @tumarov.bsky.social explains why Central Asia remains in Trump's focus: carnegieendowment.org/russia-euras...

The current US administration is the easiest one so far for Central Asia to work with. Business interests can be used to attract attention & there's no need for demonstrative distancing from Russia or commitment to democratic reforms. @ceip-politika.bsky.social carnegieendowment.org/russia-euras...

While the West is using customs duties to try to head off an influx of Chinese electric cars, the countries of Central Asia are doing everything they can to welcome them. Temur Umarov and Roman Vakulchuk assess the consequences for the region: carnegieendowment.org/russia-euras...

Negotiations over the Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline are bogged down in discussions over price, flexibility, and timeframe—and Russia’s lack of alternative buyers means China can take its time, argues Sergey Vakulenko: carnegieendowment.org/russia-euras...

Water shortages in Central Asia will worsen significantly when Afghanistan completes a canal diverting substantial volumes of water from the Amu Darya River. And it could escalate regional tensions, writes Galiya Ibragimova. carnegieendowment.org/russia-euras...

Moscow’s anti-immigrant campaign at home is proving increasingly costly abroad. For the first time in years, Central Asian countries are reassessing their relations with Moscow, writes Galiya Ibragimova: carnegieendowment.org/russia-euras...

Why is Beijing opening a flurry of technical training centers known as Luban Workshops in Central Asia, and what is their significance? Edward Lemon and Bradley Jardine explain.

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

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...