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The Latest Breaking News from Central Asia

China courts Central Asia as Russia's influence wanes

Beijing (AFP) - China is renewing its push for massive infrastructure projects in Central Asia as Beijing aims to fill the vacuum left in former Soviet states by Russia, which is ensnared in a widening net of Western sanctions over the Ukraine war.

AFP

Xi to host first China-Central Asia summit this month

Beijing (AFP) - President Xi Jinping will host a two-day summit with the leaders of five Central Asian nations next week, Beijing said on Monday, as China moves to increase its influence in the region.

AFP

Russia unlikely to face criticism at Central Asian meeting

Russia is unlikely to face backlash over its war in Ukraine from Central Asian foreign ministers and instead could flex its influence at their regional meeting Friday

The Independent UK

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IMF says inflation to slow growth across Mideast this year

Economies across the Middle East and Central Asia will likely slow this year as persistently high inflation and rising interest rates bite into their post-pandemic gains

The Independent UK

Polls close in Uzbekistan constitutional referendum

Tashkent (AFP) - Polls closed across Uzbekistan on Sunday, ending a day of voting in the Central Asian nation in a constitutional referendum that could allow President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to remain in power until 2040.

AFP

Russia boosting combat readiness of its C. Asia bases to counter U.S. - defence minister

Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said on Friday that Moscow was boosting the combat readiness of its military bases in Central Asia to counter what he said were U.S. efforts to grow its presence, the RIA news agency reported.

Reuters

Uzbek referendum to allow president to extend rule

Uzbekistan is set to adopt a new constitution in a referendum on Sunday which could allow President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to extend his rule over Central Asia's most populous nation to 2040.

Reuters

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China says it will keep backing Central Asian nations' sovereignty after outcry over envoy's remarks

China will continue to firmly support Central Asian countries in safeguarding their independence and territorial integrity, its foreign ministry said, after a senior Chinese envoy in Europe raised an uproar by questioning the sovereignty of those states.

Reuters

Israel Cements Ties to Turkmenistan on Iran’s Border

Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen inaugurated a permanent embassy in the Central Asian nation of Turkmenistan on Thursday, establishing his country’s closest diplomatic presence to Iran, as Israel seeks to strengthen ties with Tehran’s neighbours. Although the countries established diplomatic ties 30 years ago, there has only been a temporary…

Asharq Al-Awsat

Israel cements ties to Turkmenistan on Iran's border

Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen inaugurated a permanent embassy in the Central Asian nation of Turkmenistan on Thursday, establishing his country's closest diplomatic presence to Iran, as Israel seeks to strengthen ties to its arch-foe's neighbours.

Reuters

Saudi Arabia Boosts Ties with China, Eurasian Countries

Saudi Arabia has approved a memorandum on granting the kingdom the status of a dialogue partner in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), state news agency SPA said. The SCO is a political and security union of countries spanning much of Eurasia, including China, India and Russia. Formed in 2001 by…

Asharq Al-Awsat

Kazakhstan votes in snap parliamentary polls

Astana (Kazakhstan) (AFP) - Kazakhstan on Sunday voted in snap parliamentary elections that saw new faces on the ballot, but opposition parties still barred one year after deadly protests shook the Central Asian country.

AFP

Kazakhstan kicks off snap parliamentary polls

Astana (Kazakhstan) (AFP) - Kazakhstan holds snap parliamentary elections Sunday as the leader of the Central Asian country pushes political reforms that critics say are designed to consolidate power one year after deadly protests.

AFP

Blinken wraps up Central Asia tour before G20 talks in India

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is wrapping up a brief tour of Central Asia in Uzbekistan before heading to India for what is expected to be a contentious Ukraine-dominated meeting of foreign ministers from the Group of 20

The Independent UK

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The Guardian - UK

Women Behind the Wheel review – well-meaning road trip across Central Asia gets stuck

Two young British directors drive the Pamir Highway in a superficial travelogue that reveals little about themselves or the women they meet along the way

The Independent UK

Watch live: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken begins Central Asia tour amid regional tensions over Russia

Watch live as Antony Blinken visits Astana, Kazakhstan, as he begins his tour of Central Asia amid heightened tensions over Russia.

Al Jazeera

Blinken in Central Asia to boost ties amid Russia-Ukraine war

US secretary of state to meet with counterparts of five Central Asian countries on visits to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.

Asharq Al-Awsat

Blinken Holds Talks with Central Asian Nations in Wake of Ukraine Anniversary

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Central Asia Tuesday to meet officials from all five former Soviet republics following the first anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Blinken's visit to the capitals of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan is his first to the region as the Biden administration's top diplomat.…

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The Independent UK

Blinken in Central Asia as tensions soar over Ukraine war

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is visiting Kazakhstan for a series of meeting with top diplomats of Central Asian nations

Reuters

Blinken holds talks with Central Asian nations in wake of Ukraine anniversary

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Central Asia Tuesday to meet officials from all five former Soviet republics following the first anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

AFP

Blinken eyes US inroads in Central Asia as Ukraine rattles nerves

Washington (AFP) - Secretary of State Antony Blinken is heading to Central Asia hoping that greater US engagement will reassure former Soviet republics rattled by the Ukraine war, although Russia's historic clout limits the extent of cooperation.

Reuters

Blinken will try to show U.S. is a reliable partner on visit to Central Asia - official

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will attempt to show that Washington can be a reliable partner to countries in Central Asia on a visit to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan next week, the to State Department official for South and Central Asia, Donald Lu, told reporters on Friday.

AFP

Blinken to visit Central Asia as Ukraine war raises nerves

Washington (AFP) - US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will visit Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan next week, the State Department said Thursday, courting former Soviet republics uneasy over Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Al Jazeera

‘I was naive about Russia’: Central Asians on the Ukraine war

Central Asian states keep close ties with Moscow, but younger citizens of ex-Soviet nations are questioning alliances.

The Independent UK

A year after Kazakhstan's deadly riots, questions persist

A year after deadly rioting in Kazakhstan that was the worst unrest in the Central Asian country’s three decades of independence, human rights activists say many government promises of accountability and democratization remain unfulfilled

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