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Latest Articles about Central Asia
RUSSIA SUSPICIOUS OF “BLOCS” IN CENTRAL ASIA
On March 27 a joint meeting of representatives from the Secretariat of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and members of the OSCE Center in Dushanbe discussed security measures with the Tajik government. Saidmumin Yatimov, Tajikistan’s first deputy foreign minister, described the... MORE
TURKMENISTAN REJOINS THE GLOBAL COMMUNITY
Following the death of Turkmen President Saparmurat Niyazov on December 21, his successor, Gurbanguly Berdimukhamedov, is carefully opening his country’s Internet access to the outside world. Under Niyazov, Turkmenistan had long been isolated from the World Wide Web. According to the Internet World Stats directory,... MORE
BAKIYEV TRIES TO SAVE HIS PRESIDENCY BUT OPPOSITION PREVAILS
Yesterday, March 28, Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev announced his willingness to conduct a national referendum to reaffirm his legitimacy and support among the population. He also declared that he had sacked a number of key government representatives, including First Deputy Prime Minister Danoyar Usenov, who... MORE
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Uzbek Fighters in Pakistan Reportedly Return to Afghanistan
Since the fighting between local militants and foreign guerrillas began in South Waziristan's capital of Wana and its suburban areas on March 18, more than 160 people have been killed in the violence (Pakistan Times, March 24). The action may well have been generated by... MORE
AKHMETOV CALLS FOR SYSTEMIC MILITARY REFORM
After years of touting successful military reform under the direction of former defense minister Army-General Mukhtar Altynbayev, Kazakhstan has announced plans to change the command structure of its troops. Daniyal Akhmetov, the current defense minister, plans systemic reform in order to bring Kazakhstan up to... MORE
OPPOSITION NOT CONVINCED BY BAKIYEV’S ABOUT-FACE
On March 21, Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev agreed to yield to opposition demands after two major opposition blocs, “United Front” and “For Reforms,” announced their intentions to stage a demonstration on April 11 against his government. In the coming weeks the president is expected to... MORE
OFFICIALS DISMISS CLASHES BETWEEN KAZAKH AND CHECHEN YOUTH AS “HOOLIGANISM”
The widespread fighting between Chechens and Kazakhs that erupted in Almaty's Enbekshiqazaq district on March 18 were the latest in a long string of ethnic-based conflicts upsetting the densely populated southern regions of Kazakhstan. The melee caused several deaths and dozens of serious injuries. According... MORE
KYRGYZ OPPOSITION UNITES FOR DEMONSTRATIONS IN APRIL
Kyrgyzstan's two major opposition blocs, "For Reforms!" and "United Front," have announced plans to stage mass demonstrations against President Kurmanbek Bakiyev this April. For Reforms will demand a revision of the existing constitution, adopted in December 2006, and call for return to the constitution of... MORE
ITERA SUGGESTS REVIVING ZARIT CONSORTIUM FOR CASPIAN EXPLORATION
On March 7 Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimukhamedov met Igor Makarov, the CEO of Russian gas trader Itera. During the meeting Makarov reiterated Itera's interest in expanded cooperation with Turkmenistan. He also suggested that Zarit, a joint venture founded by Itera and Russian state-run companies Zarubezhneft... MORE
AIR CRASH LAYS BARE FAILURES OF KAZAKH MILITARY REFORM
Kazakhstan’s military has been plagued by financial mismanagement, corruption and bribery, a lack of professionalism, and poor housing conditions for military officers. The recent Kazakh air force fighter jet crash in Central Kazakhstan -- which killed two military pilots -- is the result of these... MORE