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Mongolia vs Rio Tinto: The Copper Mine at the Centre of the World
Oyu Tolgoi is producing record copper, heading for fourth place globally, and generating a political crisis. Ulaanbaatar wants a renegotiation. Rio Tinto cannot afford to walk away.
Armenia's Election: Eleven Days, Three Stories
What the polls, the party platforms and the money trails reveal about June 7
Twelve Days to Go: What Armenia's Election Is Actually About
June 7 is framed as a geopolitical choice between Russia and Europe — but the campaign reveals a messier domestic reality
Caught in the Net: Central Asia's Sanctions Week
Kyrgyzstan shuts down 50 companies, Kazakhstan sues Rosatom, Georgia's elites move assets offshore — three stories, one pressure front
The Turkic Moment: What Erdogan's Astana Visit Reveals About Kazakhstan's Strategic Choices
Thirteen agreements, a record trade surge, and a new medal — but Ankara and Astana are reading the partnership through different lenses
Between Beijing and Washington: What the Trump–Xi Summit Means for Central Asia
As two superpowers negotiate in Beijing, the region that sits between them is watching — and quietly calculating its next move
Tajikistan and China Sign New Agreements — What Dushanbe Is Getting, and What It Is Giving Up
The latest round of bilateral deals deepens an already significant dependency. The question is whether Tajikistan had a better option.
Kazakhstan, Mongolia Target $500 Million Trade as Presidents Hold Talks in Astana
Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh conducted a state visit to Astana, holding talks with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on April 21. Discussions centred on significantly enhancing bilateral trade and improving transport links
Delays And Rising Costs: Central Asia Feels Fallout From Iran War
The recent escalation of hostilities between the US, Israel, and Iran, featuring both initial air strikes and retaliatory actions, has generated significant economic reverberations across the wider Middle East. However, the indirect yet pro
Exploring China’s growing role in Central Asia
China's engagement with Central Asia has deepened considerably over the past two decades, manifesting in substantial economic, political, and infrastructure investments. This sustained interest has transformed China into an increasingly piv
Hormuz Crisis Has Supercharged The Middle Corridor Trade Route
The prevailing instability surrounding access to the Strait of Hormuz, stemming from persistent tensions between the United States and Iran, is compelling a significant re-evaluation of Eurasian trade routes. This environment of heightened
Fitch highlights increasing fiscal deficit in Kyrgyzstan
Fitch's latest analytical assessment projects a widening budget deficit for Kyrgyzstan, signalling a period of increased fiscal strain for the Central Asian nation. This evaluation provides a sober, measured view of the country's immediate
Georgia’s fuel exports jump sevenfold in Q1 2026 on Russian oil influx
Georgia’s external trade saw a notable uplift in the first quarter of 2026, with overall exports reaching $1.72 billion. This represented a 23.4 per cent increase compared with the same period a year earlier, driven by significant shifts in
Extending authoritarianism through dynasty in Azerbaijan
A discernible shift in Azerbaijan's political representation model has become evident, moving beyond the singular figure of the head of state. This evolution suggests a deliberate strategy to solidify the Aliyev family's hold on power, embe
Georgia marks a year of protests
Georgia’s political landscape has been reshaped over the past year by unprecedented, sustained public mobilisation. Thousands consistently expressed commitment to European Union aspirations, directly challenging the Georgian Dream governmen
Turkmenistan Advances Galkynysh Gas Field Development to Increase Exports to China
The fourth phase of industrial development at Turkmenistan's Galkynysh gas field in the Mary region has been formally launched by Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang and Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty. This collabo
Central Asia Emerges As Strategic Energy Player Amid Oil Crisis
The geopolitical landscape of global energy has shifted profoundly, instigated by Iran's effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz. This development has created unparalleled market uncertainty and elevated the strategic importance of Centra
Over 12,600 Central Asians Identified in Russian Army
A Ukrainian state initiative has identified a significant number of Central Asian citizens serving with the Russian army, according to data released by the "I Want to Live" project. This initiative, part of the broader Ukraine-Central Asia
Iran Said It Opened A Drone Factory In Tajikistan. But There's No Sign Of It.
Four years have passed since Iran publicly announced the establishment of a drone factory in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, yet its operational status—indeed, its very existence—remains profoundly unclear. This persistent ambiguity raises fundamenta
Armenia and Azerbaijan: dialogue or performance?
Recent months have witnessed a notable acceleration in both official and semi-official exchanges between Armenia and Azerbaijan. This renewed diplomatic traffic, initiated subsequent to a Washington meeting in August 2025, has spurred a cau