Central Asia

Soldiers from Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) march through Umayyad Square Damascus, Syria. © Chris McGrath/Getty Images

Could Central Asian Insurgents in Syria Present a New Regional Threat?

Given the high mobility of these foreign jihadists, they could spread instability across the entire Middle East, Africa, and the global community.

15 Jan 25

Journalists of Radio Liberty (Azattyk Ynalgysy) work in the bureau in Bishkek on April 28, 2023. - A court in Russia-allied Kyrgyzstan on April 27, 2023 ordered the closure of the local branch of US-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, which criticised the "outrageous" ruling. Award-winning Radio Azattyk is a prominent outlet in the Central Asian country that regularly reports on opposition groups and investigates alleged corruption. © VYACHESLAV OSELEDKO/AFP via Getty Images

Pressure Builds on Central Asia Media

Freedom of speech in Central Asia has deteriorated in recent years, with fresh restrictions on media and bloggers alike and a growing number of criminal cases initiated against journalists.

3 May 24

Saidakrami Murodalii Rachabalizoda suspected of taking part in the attack of a concert hall that killed 137 people, the deadliest attack in Europe to have been claimed by the Islamic State jihadist group, is escorted by Russian law enforcement officers prior to his pre-trial detention hearing at the Basmanny District Court in Moscow on March 24, 2024. © TATYANA MAKEYEVA/AFP via Getty Images

Tajik Migrants Brace for Moscow’s Ire

Their situation has been deteriorating for the past few years, but the Crocus concert hall atrocity has accelerated events.

3 Apr 24

Smoke from a power station billows into the air over grazing cattle 20km from Bishkek in Novopokrovka. © VYACHESLAV OSELEDKO/AFP via Getty Images

Women in Central Asia Lead on Climate Change

Campaigners tackle widespread scepticism and lack of understanding of crisis.

6 Mar 24

Under Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, criminal cases have been initiated in which journalists and bloggers have been imprisoned. © Sean Gallup/Getty Images

Kyrgyz Media Under Pressure

Criminal cases decried as attempts to intimidate and impose censorship.

23 Jan 24

Islamic worshippers perform Friday prayers in the Great Mosque in Almaty in the central Asian republic of Kazakhstan. There are fears that the war between Israel and Hamas might have a ripple effect across the region, fueling a new wave of radicalisation exacerbated by Russian propaganda. © Uriel Sinai/Getty Images

Central Asia Fears Israel-Gaza War Could Fuel Radicalisation

There are concerns that Russian disinformation and extremist groups may instrumentalise the conflict.

1 Nov 23

Largely populated by ethnic Tajiks, Gelon sits at 2,336 metres, surrounded by the Hisar range, part of the Pamir-Alay mountain system. It can take up to three hours to cover the 70 kilometres from Uzbkistan’s southern city of Shakhrisabz to reach this high-altitude village. © Abdulhak Turgunov

The Tajik Community on Uzbekistan’s Highlands

Surrounded by the Pamir mountain range, a remote village keeps customs alive.

17 Oct 23

Russian President Vladimir Putin met Kyrgyzstan's President counterpart Sadyr Japarov in Bishkek on October 12. It was Putin's first trip abroad since the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued a warrant against him in March 2023. © Website of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic

Putin’s Bishkek Visit Signals Moscow’s Increasing Interest in Central Asia

The region’s role on the world stage is rising as the US and the EU also look at strengthening ties.The region’s role on the world stage is rising as the US and the EU also look at strengthening ties.

16 Oct 23