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
Turkmenistan: A shining city in a book of records Russia is proposing a major reconfiguration of the Central Asian gas market. Our weekly Turkmenistan briefing. Akhal-Teke: A Turkmenistan Bulletin Dec 6, 2022
Kazakhstan: Public anger grows after plant crash leaves thousands freezing Authorities have been pushed into action by growing public criticism over the accident. Artyem Sochnev Dec 1, 2022
Kazakh president threatens nationalizations after another power plant crashes The accident in Ekibastuz came as temperatures plunged to -30 Celsius. Artyem Sochnev Nov 28, 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
Kazakhstan: ArcelorMittal sweats response to latest mining deaths The steel giant is on the hook for a multi-million dollar fine as officials ramp up grumbling about the company. Artyem Sochnev Nov 17, 2022
Uzbekistan: Where the Amu Darya goes to die A journey down the terminal stretch of a once-mighty river highlights how hard it will be to fend off environmental catastrophe. David Trilling Nov 10, 2022
Kazakhstan: Tokayev hopes to quell Bloody January passions with amnesty The president is trying to move Kazakhstan on from the trauma 10 months ago, but the terms of the amnesty have not pleased everyone. Joanna Lillis Nov 2, 2022
In Kyrgyzstan’s ‘graveyard of factories’ locals fear chemical time bomb Toxic chemicals stored at a plant that has now become a crypto mining operation threaten the wider region. Aigerim Turgunbaeva Oct 28, 2022
Uzbekistan: Tashkent bemoans worsening pollution The growing number of cars in the city is the main culprit. Oct 19, 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
Kazakhstan’s capital: After wetland loss, will construction be tamed? Organized citizens are beginning to check wealthy developers and their enablers in the Astana administration. Artyem Sochnev Sep 30, 2022
Kazakhstan: Troubled steelworks makes billion-dollar promise to clean up ArcelorMittal is hearing more complaints from government, as well as the public. Artyem Sochnev Sep 8, 2022