Kazakhstan | Eurasianet

Kuandyk Bishimbayev was convicted of torturing and brutally murdering his common-law wife, and sentenced to 24 years in prison and a fine. (Screenshot)

Kazakhstan: Former minister found guilty in high-profile murder case

Activists say more needs to happen to combat domestic violence.

Almaz Kumenov May 13, 2024

A banner used by the Kazakh authorities reads “Beware of fake news”. Thus far, those in Kazakhstan found guilty of circulating demonstrably false content on social media have faced only administrative penalties. (Photo: gov.kz)

Kazakhstan: Misinformation and punishment

Authorities trying to corral fake news on social media.

May 9, 2024

Police conduct a security inspection at a construction site in Kazakhstan. (Photo: gov.kz)

Kazakhstan cracking down on illegal migration in aftermath of Moscow terror attack

Tajik nationals bear brunt of security sweeps.

Almaz Kumenov May 9, 2024

A protest in Tbilisi against the so-called foreign agents law. The Asian Development Bank that held its annual meeting in Tbilisi in early May came under criticism from NGO activists from across Eurasia who allege that the bank’s policies and practices buttress authoritarian regimes. (Photo: Mariam Nikuradze/oc-media.org)

ADB faces some heat at Tbilisi meeting over its development policies

Non-profit experts contend that lax standards undermine the bank’s goals.

May 6, 2024

A Russian citizen at a Kazakh border control checkpoint. Since the Kremlin’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, a stream of Russians have fled to Central Asia and the Caucasus. (Photo: gov.kz)

Relokanty: Is Russia’s loss Central Asia’s gain?

Maximizing the benefits of Russia’s surprising exodus.

Marsha McGraw Olive May 3, 2024

An unusual aspect of ex-minister Kuandyk Bishimbayev’s trial is that a jury is hearing the case. (Astana court press service)

Kazakhstan: A jury will soon decide the fate of an ex-minister accused of murder

Kazakh juries deliberate differently than in the West.

May 2, 2024

Blogger Askhat Niyazov during a recent interview. (Screenshot)

Kazakhstan: Government grappling with how to regulate social media

Administrative cases against bloggers highlights quandary for officials.

Almaz Kumenov Apr 30, 2024

Trucks lined up at a border checkpoint. Central Asian governments are making efforts to simplify customs procedures. (Photo: gov.kz)

Central Asian states easing trade barriers

Agreements mark baby steps toward formation of a free-trade zone.

Apr 25, 2024

Flooding in Oral, the capital of the West Kazakhstan Region. (Photo: gov.kz)

Kazakhstan grappling with a fresh wave of flooding

Government vows to rebuild and compensate for lost property.

Almaz Kumenov Apr 23, 2024

Kazakhstan’s giant Kashagan oil field. The Central Asian state’s “economic growth is projected to slow to 3.4 percent in 2024 before regaining momentum in subsequent years, driven by new oil production coming online,” according to the World Bank. (Photo: gov.kz)

Growth rates set to slow in Caucasus and Central Asia – World Bank

Regional economies experiencing “multiple headwinds.”

Brawley Benson Apr 22, 2024

The Khorgos Gateway dry port on the Chinese-Kazakh border. Russia’s unprovoked attack on Ukraine in 2022, and the imposition of Western sanctions to punish Russian aggression, provided impetus for the growth of the Middle Corridor via Central Asia. (Photo: gov.kz)

Central Asia: Welcome to the ‘opportunity zone’

The Great Game’s got a new name.

Apr 18, 2024

Kuandyk Bishimbayev during a hearing at the Astana City Court. Bishimbayev is currently standing trial on charges of domestic abuse and murder of his common law wife, Saltanat Nukenova. The case sparked public outrage and is credited with catalyzing government efforts to toughen penalties for domestic violence. (Photo: sud.kz)

Kazakhstan toughens domestic violence laws

Brutal assault caught on camera prompts changes.

Almaz Kumenov Apr 17, 2024

Leaders of all five Central Asian states, as well as Azerbaijan, at a regional summit in Dushanbe in late 2023. All these countries were listed as “consolidated authoritarian regimes” in Freedom House’s recent report on the state of political freedom in 29 post-Communist states. (Photo: president.kg)

Central Asia is a bastion of “consolidated” authoritarianism – report

Warfare is catalyzing an expansion of authoritarian practices.

Apr 15, 2024

The coal-fired TPS-3 power station in Kazakhstan’s Karaganda. (Photo: gov.kz)

Central Asian states have a coal dependency problem – report

Coal addiction in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan fuels regional global warming conundrum.

Apr 12, 2024

Anti-migration wave hits Central Asian guest workers following Moscow terrorism attack

A partner post from Mediazona.

Ayzirek Imanaliyeva, Vladislav Sorvyonkov Apr 11, 2024

Kazakhstan: New history of Kazakh peoples strives to dispel historical misconceptions

Book undermines Putin’s claim that Kazakhstan never enjoyed statehood before 1991.

Apr 10, 2024

A Europe-bound freight train arrives at Baku's Absheron station on March 11. The train's cargo originated at a new Kazakh-Chinese-built facility in Xi’an, China, and transited Kazakhstan before crossing the Caspian. (Photo: president.az)

Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan: Bridging the water gap

Growing bilateral ties raise hopes for trans-Caspian trade route.

Brawley Benson Apr 9, 2024

A wreath-laying ceremony at the Eternal Flame in Aktau on May 9, 2023. In Kazakhstan, a military parade hasn’t been on May 9 since 2019, but commemorative events honoring veterans have continued to be staged across the country. (Photo: gov.kz)

Kazakhstan downplaying Victory Day commemoration

Astana doesn’t want to send signals that might be seen as endorsing Russian aggression.

Almaz Kumenov Apr 8, 2024

Young women sing government-mandated praises to Turkmenistan’s leader, Serdar Berdymukhamedov, and “the new happy era.” (Photo: gov.tm)

Perspectives: Officials in Turkmenistan make questionable choices when moral policing

Virginity tests administered without consent.

Karlygash Kabatova Apr 5, 2024

A satellite image of the purported spill. (Photo: Facebook/Galina Chernova)

Kazakhstan: Can a black spot on the Caspian Sea be called an oil spill?

Satellite imagery doesn’t provide clear answers.

Almaz Kumenov Apr 3, 2024

Once completed, the Qosh Tepa canal is expected to divert roughly 20 percent of the water from the Amu Darya River. (Photo: Afghanistan government media)

Unexplained spill fuels concern about Afghan canal project

Is Uzbekistan engaging in quiet water diplomacy?

Apr 2, 2024

Smog over Dushanbe. (Photo: social media)

Central Asian air quality gets low marks – report

Tajikistan has the dirtiest air in the region.

Apr 1, 2024

Solider assisting cleaning up a flooded area. (Photo: Kazakhstan Defense Ministry)

Colossal floods stun Kazakhstan

The irony is that while Kazakhstan routinely struggles with floods in spring, the months that follow often deliver drought.

Almaz Kumenov Mar 29, 2024

By investing in local talent in the region, Eurasianet has shone a light on places and topics few other foreign outlets have considered. (Photo: Danil Usmanov)

Perspectives | The declining fortunes of Central Asia coverage

The interest in the region evinced by international outlets in the post-9/11 period has faded. But ignoring Central Asia could come at a cost.

Peter Leonard Mar 29, 2024

Kazakhstan and China both reported significant increases in bilateral trade in 2023, but their numbers differ dramatically. (Photo: gov.kz)

Kazakhstan: Business group strives to facilitate trade connections with China

Customs chief acknowledges discrepancies in bilateral trade statistics.

China-Central Asia Monitor Mar 27, 2024

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