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
Central Asian rain may be caused by Indian, Chinese pollution New research suggests that pollution thousands of miles away may be responsible for unusually strong summer downpours in Central Asia. David Trilling Jan 4, 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
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. Artyem Sochnev Dec 7, 2022
New website tracks Chinese investments in Kazakhstan Despite freedom of information laws, Kazakh officials often refuse to discuss what Chinese investors are doing. That breeds suspicion. Artyem Sochnev Nov 25, 2022
Kazakh president bemoans shrinking lake, doesn’t mention China’s take Lake Balkhash is fed by the Ili River that originates over the border in China’s Xinjiang region. Artyem Sochnev Oct 10, 2022
Kyrgyz highlanders battle Chinese miners to preserve pristine ecosystem Activists and state scientists say that environmental legislation is being trampled, not for the first time. Aigerim Turgunbaeva Sep 7, 2022
Kazakhstan: Specter of Chinese control over oil and gas largely illusory For all its billions spent, China still controls only a small share of Kazakh oil output. Almaz Kumenov Aug 24, 2022
Uzbekistan: Electricity grid strained by heat Demand has surged as the population turns to air conditioners and refrigeration equipment to keep cool. Jul 26, 2022
Central Asia’s wild apple trees are disappearing Climate change and human activity threaten to drive the apple from its native soil by the end of the century, new research warns. Eshel Rosen Jul 19, 2022
Turkmenistan: The Beijing conundrum Expanding Ashgabat’s dependence on China, visiting Iran, and talking north-south transportation links. This and more in our weekly Turkmenistan briefing. Akhal-Teke: A Turkmenistan Bulletin Jun 21, 2022
Chinese scientists measure Central Asia's shifting water patterns Disappearing glaciers mean less predictable water for irrigation. David Trilling Apr 13, 2022
Kazakhstan: Energy shortages push crypto miners to the exit Grid inefficiencies and the small-timer surge are leaving some miners in a tough spot. Daniyar Moldabekov Nov 26, 2021