Nurbek Bekmurzaev
Nurbek Bekmurzaev is an independent researcher and freelance journalist based in Bishkek. He has a graduate degree in International and European Security from the University of Geneva. His main areas of research are radicalization, violent extremist groups, PVE/CVE strategies in Central Asia and rehabilitation and reintegration of foreign terrorist fighters and their family members.
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Articles by Nurbek Bekmurzaev
Mongolia Bolsters Relations With Governments of Central Asia
Executive Summary: Mongolia is engaging in efforts, including bilateral negotiations and official visits, to improve relations with Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan following a long period of stagnant foreign policy toward
Kazakhstan and the West Look to Strengthen Rare-Earth Cooperation
Executive Summary: In June, Kazakhstan voiced its plans to declassify data on rare-earth and rare-metal deposits as well as a renewed effort to attract Western investment to mine and process
Azerbaijan Continues to Strengthen Ties With Central Asia
Executive Summary: Russia’s war against Ukraine has given Azerbaijan fresh motivation to strengthen relations with Central Asian countries to improve their collective trade, transit, and energy potential. Continued development and
Kyrgyzstan’s Repatriation of Foreign Fighters’ Wives and Children from Syrian Camps Marks the End of an Era
Executive Summary Kyrgyzstan recently finished repatriating women and children who were detained in Syria and Iraq for having been connected with men who fought with al-Qaeda and Islamic State (IS).
Russia Impedes Kazakhstan’s Efforts to Increase Oil Exports to Germany
Executive Summary: Berlin and Astana have been working to increase oil exports from Kazakhstan since the end of 2022 after Western sanctions forced Germany to explore alternatives to Russian energy
Will the Israel–Hamas War Spark New Waves of Extremism in Central Asia?
Executive Summary Central Asian governments have increased security at Israeli and Jewish sites and expressed neutrality on the Gaza conflict, but unrest could inspire extremist attacks. Islamic State in Khorasan
Russian Rhetoric Toward Central Asia Grows Increasingly Hostile
Executive Summary: Russia’s rhetoric toward Central Asian countries, including Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan, has become increasingly hostile since the beginning of the war in Ukraine. The rhetoric from
Kazakhstan Removes Taliban from Terrorist List Amid Growing Ties with Central Asia
Executive Summary: Kazakhstan recently removed the Taliban from its list of banned terrorist organizations, signifying a shift in Central Asia’s engagement with Kabul. The Central Asian states, particularly Kazakhstan and
Kazakhstan and Turkey Make Steady Progress in Expanding Military Cooperation
On November 28, Kazakhstan’s Defense Ministry declared that the process of selecting a domestic company for the production of Turkish combat drones was already underway (Kazinform, November 28). The statement
Were Jamaat Ansarullo’s Incursions into Tajikistan Real or Staged?
Ever since the Taliban came to power in Afghanistan in August 2021, Tajikistan has been under an increased threat of terrorist attacks. Exacerbating this situation is the Taliban’s endorsement of
Russia Uses All Means to Recruit Central Asians for War in Ukraine
On August 30, Kyrgyzstan’s Supreme Court held a hearing for the criminal case against Kyrgyzstani national Askar Kubanychbek-uulu, who was originally sentenced to ten years in prison for participating in
Arrests of Central Asian Jihadists in Germany and the Netherlands Reveals Persistent Islamic State Threat to Europe
On July 6, law enforcement in Germany and the Netherlands arrested nine Central Asians on terrorism-related charges. In Germany, five Tajik nationals, one Kyrgyz citizen, and one Turkmenistani citizen were
Central Asia Cultivates Increased Attention on International Stage
On July 18 and 19, the Saudi city of Jeddah hosted a historic geopolitical event—the first-ever summit between the leaders of Central Asia and the Arab world. The presidents of
Uzbekistan’s Snap Presidential Elections Will Seal Its Future Trajectory
On May 8, Uzbekistani President Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced snap presidential elections, which are now set to take place on July 9—more than three years ahead of the originally scheduled date
Will the EU Slap Sanctions on Central Asia?
As the European Union prepares to deliver its 11th set of sanctions against Russia, the Central Asian states cautiously await the details of this next round of measures. On May
Kazakhstan Exports Oil to Germany as Russia Keeps a Close Eye
After almost a two-month delay, on February 23, Kazakhstani company KazTransOil finally began exporting oil to Germany, sending the first shipment of 20,000 tons of Kazakhstani oil (Biz Media, February
Can Kazakhstan Rescue Europe Amid the Russian Oil Embargo?
On December 29, 2022, Kazakhstani state-owned oil and gas company KazMunaiGaz announced plans to export oil to Germany starting in January 2023. Arrangements were made to export a total of 1.2
Russia’s Conscription Strategy in Central Asia Falls Short
On November 14, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree allowing foreign citizens to serve in the Russian Armed Forces, both as contractors and conscripts. Previously, foreigners could serve in
Snap Presidential Elections in Kazakhstan: Democratization or Autocracy?
About three weeks remain until the snap presidential elections in Kazakhstan, which are scheduled for November 20—18 months ahead of the original 2024 date (Tengrinews, September 22). In the words
Promises and Pitfalls of Tajikistan’s Latest Repatriation Program for Islamic State Families from Syria
On July 25, Tajikistan repatriated 146 of its citizens from Syria, including 42 women and 104 children, who were stranded in the al-Hol and Roj refugee camps. The authorities stated
Zhasulan Dyuisembin: An In-Depth Look at a Kazakh Foreign Fighter’s Journey to the Ukrainian Army
On June 2, the National Security Committee of Kazakhstan (KNB) launched a criminal case in absentia against a Kazakh national for participating in the war in Ukraine (Inform Buro, June
Military Standoff Re-Ignites Between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan
On September 14–17, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan locked heads in the biggest military conflict between the two sides to date. What started as another border skirmish between the Kyrgyzstani and Tajikistani
Kuudaabek uulu Almaz: A Profile of the First Kyrgyz Foreign Fighter in Ukraine
On May 14, the State Committee of National Security of Kyrgyzstan (GKNB) launched a criminal case against a Kyrgyz national, who was identified at first with only his initials K.u.A.,
Islamic State in Khorasan Province’s Rocket Attack in Tajikistan
On May 7, several rockets were launched from the Hojagor district of Takhar province, Afghanistan into the neighboring Panj district in Tajikistan (Radio Ozodi, May 8). The Islamic State in