Perspectives | Licorice and leather: Spotting Chinese soft power in rural Uzbekistan To many Uzbeks, China is not only an industrial behemoth with neocolonial intentions. It is also a source of scarce jobs. Frank Maracchione Mar 22, 2023
Perspectives | China wants the Line D pipeline. Can Central Asia deliver? Beijing is leaning toward buying additional Central Asian gas, despite reliability concerns. Joe Webster Feb 28, 2023
Kazakhstan splurges to get Astana light rail back on track Though years behind schedule and stinking of corruption, the government wants to proceed with the Chinese-linked project. Joanna Lillis Feb 28, 2023
Kazakhstan: Officials vow no repeat to gas shortages, but warn exports and excess use must stop The expectation is that gas consumption will soar to 40 billion cubic meters by 2030. Feb 24, 2023
Kazakhstan: Smuggling still rife on border with China Customs officials are part of the problem. Joanna Lillis Feb 10, 2023
As Uzbekistan freezes, is it exporting valuable gas to China – or not? This latest winter energy crisis is undermining public confidence in the administration of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. Joanna Lillis Jan 24, 2023
Kyrgyzstan: Bishkek banks on China’s gas-powered buses to clean air Chinese buses have survived corruption scandals to become the most obvious alternative to ubiquitous but problematic minibuses. Aigerim Turgunbaeva Jan 20, 2023
Central Asia’s shorter winters are whittling away glaciers Glaciers are disappearing around the world. Here’s how it happens in Central Asia. David Trilling Jan 16, 2023
As China ends zero Covid, will Kazakh shuttle traders return to the border? Kazakhstan was caught off guard by Beijing’s decision to relax coronavirus controls at a trade hub on the border. Jan 13, 2023
Turkmenistan: Mister Berdymukhamedov goes to Beijing In a visit full of symbolism, Turkmenistan’s president won a lucrative promise from Xi Jinping. Our weekly briefing. Akhal-Teke: A Turkmenistan Bulletin Jan 10, 2023
Amid Uzbekistan’s energy crunch, China enters growing solar sector Central Asia’s most populous country is suffering serious energy shortages. Chinese companies will be part of the solution. Dec 20, 2022
Unpacking Chinese finance in the South Caucasus The region is newly strategic as Russia’s war shifts attention to the so-called Middle Corridor. Dec 14, 2022
China has won water dispute with Kazakhstan Astana accepts that it cannot force China to use less water upstream. But the BRI may help it reduce its own water waste, a new paper argues. David Trilling Dec 7, 2022
Kazakhstan sends first nuclear fuel assemblies to China A joint venture with China has edged Kazatomprom, the world’s largest producer of uranium, into the nuclear fuel production cycle. Dec 7, 2022
Kazakhstan: Transit offers major potential, but oil addiction to remain The Middle Corridor – an alternative route from China to Europe that skirts Russia – has seen a massive increase in freight this year. Almaz Kumenov Dec 5, 2022