A Ukrainian drone attack on a gas plant in Russia's Orenburg, one of the largest facilities of its kind in the world, continues to impact production in neighboring Kazakhstan as the European Union moved to phase out Russian gas imports by end of 2027.
Brussels will host top officials from across Central Asia and the Caucasus as the EU aims to use its influence and pocketbook to push back against Beijing and Moscow.
Central Asia is reeling from the effects of Russia's fuel export restrictions triggered by Ukrainian attacks on its oil refineries. While countries like Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan struggle with price hikes and shortages, others like Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan are attempting to diversify their sources.
From weapons manufacturing to stepped up prospecting for rare earths reserves, the ripple effects of Beijing's latest export controls on the minerals will be wide.
As Kazakhstan forges ahead with a plan to build up a state-of-the-art surveillance network, it's increasingly relying on Chinese hardware. That’s raising concerns among activists and experts that Astana will have new tools to track dissidents and enforce censorship.
Kazakhstan signed a deal to buy $4.2 billion worth of US locomotives and rail equipment amid a push by President Donald Trump to deepen economic ties with Central Asia.
As attention focused on Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping at the SCO and a military parade last week in China, Beijing inked a slew of new deals worth billions of dollars with Central Asian governments and businesses, particularly those in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.
China's Xi Jinping will welcome Russian President Vladimir Putin and other SCO leaders for a two-day summit as China looks to deepen its influence across Eurasia.
In many families in Central Asia, corporal punishment is not only common, it is the norm. Slaps for poor grades, ear-pulls for disobedience, beatings "to instill discipline" -- these all remain embedded in the parenting culture.
Russia continues to recruit Central Asian migrants and convicts to fill the ranks of its depleting armed forces in Ukraine. Russian authorities use various methods -- from enticements to coercion -- to enlist Central Asians to the Kremlin's ongoing war.
Kazakhstan has chosen China to build its third nuclear plant, deepening Beijing’s role in its energy sector. As Russia faces sanctions and funding issues, Astana is shifting toward China as a more stable partner, signaling a strategic pivot in its nuclear and geopolitical future.
RFE/RL spotlights five Central Asian athletes who have turned adversity into triumph. From a paralyzed man turned ultramarathoner to a blind Paralympian and a Premier League soccer pioneer, these remarkable sportspeople have shown how resilience and courage can transcend barriers and inspire others.
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