Latest Articles about Central Asia
Kazakhstan’s Emerging Role in the War on Terror
Kazakhstan has taken on an increasingly active role in the war on terrorism since its initial declaration of support after 9/11, promoting regional security and developing more effective means to protect its energy infrastructure and civilian population from possible terrorist attacks. Kazakhstan's perception of the... MORE
Trojan Horse or Genuine Schism? The Hezb-e-Islami Split
The Islamist campaign in Afghanistan may be undercut by the announcement of a split in the leadership of the radical Hezb-e-Islami party. Ten members of the group’s senior leadership met in May with Afghanistan’s interim President Hamid Karzai in Kabul and publicly announced their rejection... MORE
KYRGYZSTAN EXTENDS RELUCTANT WELCOME TO UZBEK REFUGEES
Reports about the number of Uzbeks fleeing the Andijan and Pakhtaabad massacres for southern Kyrgyzstan range from 500 to 6,000. Kyrgyz Ombudsman Tursunbai Bakir predicts the refugee flows will increase up to a million if the Uzbek conflict continues to intensify (Akipress, May 17). It... MORE
ASTANA FACES POLITICAL DILEMMAS AFTER UZBEK UPRISING
While there seems to be no connection between Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev's unusually extensive tours to southern and western Kazakhstan in recent days and the riots in Andijan of Uzbekistan, the Kazakh strongman is obviously more concerned with his uncertain prospects for retaining power in... MORE
History Chasing Optimism: Afghanistan in Spring, 2005
In May 2005, former Taliban Foreign Minister Wakil Ahmed Muttawakil said the Taliban was a "spent force" and asked his former associates "to hold talks with the Afghan government. It will be good for our people." [1] His statement augmented announcements that other Taliban leaders... MORE
RUSSIA BLAMES TALIBAN FOR UPRISING IN UZBEKISTAN
Official statements emanating from Moscow on the unfolding crisis in eastern Uzbekistan firmly place the blame on Taliban elements promoting political violence within Andijan. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov first emphasized this aspect on Saturday, May 14, asserting that the disturbing news from Uzbekistan was... MORE
CITING NEED FOR STABILITY, KYRGYZ LEADERS FORM POLITICAL UNION
On May 13, Kurmanbek Bakiyev and Felix Kulov signed an agreement to form a political team for Kyrgyzstan's July 10 presidential elections. Kulov agreed to withdraw his candidacy with the stipulation that he would become prime minister in case Acting President Bakiyev wins (Akipress, May... MORE
KARIMOV ORDERS BLOODY END TO ANDIJAN UPRISING
Troops dispatched by Tashkent have put down last week's popular uprising in Andijan, Uzbekistan. Undeterred by the thousands of demonstrators, troops opened fire on the crowd, shooting women and children as well as the rebels. Rather than waiting until nightfall, when the crowds diminish, the... MORE
TRANS-CASPIAN OIL PIPELINE PLANNED IN KAZAKHSTAN
A recent session of Kazakhstan's cabinet of ministers commissioned plans for creating a trans-Caspian westbound export route for Kazakhstani oil, bypassing Russia on the shortest route to consumer countries. Prime Minister Daniyal Akhmetov and KazMunaiGaz (Kazakh oil and gas) state company chairman Uzakbay Karabalin endorsed... MORE
MASSES REJECT CHARGES OF ISLAMIC EXTREMISM IN UZBEKISTAN
Early this morning thousands of residents took to the streets of Andijan, Uzbekistan, to protest a show trial of alleged Islamic extremists. Initial reports say that nine people are dead and Uzbek President Islam Karimov is on his way to the city. Reportedly demonstrators stormed... MORE