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The Tsar, the Steppe, and the Very Friendly Lunch
What Vladimir Putin’s second state visit to Kazakhstan really said — and what everyone agreed not to say out loud
Why the Tajikistan-Afghanistan Border Crisis Could Destabilize Central Asia
A wave of deadly clashes on the Tajikistan-Afghanistan border, including attacks that killed Chinese workers inside Tajikistan in November, is raising the risk of broader instability across Central Asia and putting trade routes, energy links, foreign investment, and regional diplomacy under growing pressure.
Astana Is Turning Ecology into Regional Statecraft
The upcoming Regional Ecological Summit in Astana, scheduled for April 22–24, signifies more than a routine environmental conference. It represents a deliberate and sophisticated act of regional statecraft by Kazakhstan, aiming to redefine
Kazakhstan Reaches Record 33rd Place in World Happiness Report 2026
Kazakhstan’s ascent to 33rd place in the World Happiness Report 2026 represents a remarkable achievement, marking its highest position yet and a notable 10-place jump. This places the Central Asian nation firmly within the top quarter globa
The marble mirage: Ashgabat’s record-breaking facade contradicts Turkmenistan’s reality
Ashgabat, Turkmenistan’s capital, presents an arresting spectacle: a city almost entirely clad in gleaming white marble, a record-holder for its sheer density of Italian stone. This monochromatic landscape, blinding under the Central Asian
The 'Decommunization' Of Dushanbe
Dushanbe is undergoing a relentless demolition and development drive, vividly documented in before-and-after images. Many locals now struggle to recognise their own capital, testament to the profound and rapid changes fundamentally challeng
Chinese investors ask for legal protection and stability
Ravshanbek Sabirov, Head of Kyrgyzstan's National Investment Agency, recently hosted representatives from Chinese entities, including Guipai Holding Group, Hunan Jingwei Real Estate Development Co., Ltd., and Tengri Invest LLC. The Chinese
Kazakhstan Finance Day in New York Showcases Market Reform, IPO Ambitions, and Alatau City Pitch
Kazakhstan’s recent Finance Day in New York offered a masterclass in sophisticated economic diplomacy, unfolding at Citigroup headquarters for a third successive time. High-level officials and executives presented a compelling narrative of
‘Armenia as a bridge to Europe’ — deputy foreign minister speaks at forum in Turkey
The South Caucasus, a region frequently synonymous with geopolitical friction, is now being framed by Yerevan as an unexpected haven of stability. Armenia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Vahan Kostanyan, speaking at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, a
Pashinyan accuses Karapetyan and others of being ‘foreign agents’
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's recent accusations, labelling his opponent Samvel Karapetyan and others as "foreign agents," mark a significant escalation in Yerevan's volatile political climate. These claims suggest a broader eff
Iran targets major increase in rail freight transport
Iran is aggressively pursuing a major expansion of its rail freight capacity, a move that extends far beyond mere infrastructure enhancement. This strategic focus on strengthening its broader transportation network signals a deeper geopolit
Our generation will continue resisting the Taliban’s restrictions on women and girls
Education has become a profound act of resistance in Afghanistan. For a generation born under the first Taliban regime, like our contributor Fareshtah, the right to learn was a hard-won freedom, not a given. This personal journey reflects a
Art captured by ideology: How the Taliban silenced Afghanistan’s cinema industry
We observe with growing alarm the systematic dismantling of Afghanistan’s cinema industry by the Taliban, a deliberate campaign extending far beyond mere censorship. This isn't simply a matter of restricting artistic expression; it represen
Hunting in the Labyrinth: the lasting effects of Azerbaijan’s raid on queer nightlife
The night of 27 December 2025 cast a stark, violent shadow over Baku’s queer community, a chilling reminder of escalating state repression. What transpired at the Labyrinth nightclub was not an isolated incident, but a brutal manifestation
Queer cinema in Azerbaijan tells stories of visibility and survival
Modest in scale but radical in their very existence, a nascent wave of queer films in Azerbaijan is documenting lives long erased from public consciousness. These cinematic efforts are not merely artistic expressions; they represent a profo
How did an Afghan woman journalist’s writing resonate in China?
An extraordinary story of cross-border empathy has emerged, linking an Afghan journalist’s plight with the quiet solidarity of Chinese readers. This narrative showcases how human connection can defy political barriers, challenging assumptio
How I overcame the Taliban’s ban on education for girls in Afghanistan
The Taliban’s return in August 2021 brought a chilling pronouncement for Afghanistan’s girls: their education beyond sixth grade was criminalised. This act mirrors a dark dystopia, a deliberate dismantling of social and human rights that ha
Adam Kadyrov receives another commemorative medal
Adam Kadyrov, son of Chechen Head Ramzan Kadyrov, has again been showered with accolades, this time receiving a commemorative medal marking the 20th anniversary of the special motorised Sever Regiment. His father proudly announced the award
Russia’s Zakharova says Georgia could be named ‘unfriendly country’ if it joins EU
Maria Zakharova’s recent declaration, that Georgia could be added to Russia’s list of ‘unfriendly countries’ if it pursues European Union membership, offers a stark reminder of Moscow’s persistent efforts to shape the regional landscape. Th