-
Islamic State Khurasan Province threatens Uzbekistan, Central Asia, and neighbouring countries
In the last couple of months, Islamic State Khurasan Province (ISKP) and its local Central Asian militants have been increasing their propaganda output by directly targeting regional countries (especially Uzbekistan), calling for attacks against local governments and jihad in Central Asia.
-
Italy intensifies cultural dialogue with Caspian littoral Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan
Geopolitical Report ISSN 2785-2598 Volume 18 Issue 2 – Recently, representatives of Italy held a series of meetings with colleagues in Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan, dedicated to the issues of enhancing cultural cooperation, confirming Rome’s interests in Central Asia.
-
Italy discovers business opportunities in Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan and Italy recently celebrated the 30th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations. Recent official meetings between Italian and Kyrgyz political and business representatives underlined Italy’s interest in deepening cooperation with central Asian markets.
-
CIS countries strengthened military cooperation
The recent Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) meeting underlined the Kremlin’s strategy to strengthen its influence in Eurasia through military cooperation and diplomacy. In the aftermath of the Ukrainian Crisis and with the increasing influence of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, Russia confirms its desire to be the principal player in Eurasia.
-
Saudi Arabia and Kyrgyzstan enhanced economic cooperation and investment opportunities
Sauri Arabia and Kyrgyzstan discussed investments partnership confirming Riyadh’s desire to improve its economic presence in the Kyrgyz market and Central Asia and Bishkek’s necessity to diversify its financial partners and foreign investors.
-
Tajikistan and China attended a business forum on investment cooperation
The recent Tajikistan-China business forum to develop investment cooperation highlighted Beijing’s economic strategy in the Central Asian republic and Dushanbe’s attempt to diversify its economy and attract more Chinese investors in its infrastructural projects.
-
Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan strengthened their economic cooperation
The recent meeting between Uzbek and Kazakh representatives to discuss economic and trade cooperation highlighted both countries’ necessity to create a stable regional market and improve local financial performance to attract more foreign investments.
-
Central Asian republics’ economic dependence on China
China has invested substantial financial amounts in Central Asia creating an economic dependence and strong connection between Beijing and Central Asian republics. Chinese economic presence in Central Asia might threaten Moscow’s Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and the Kremlin’s desire to remain the leading geopolitical actor in this region.
-
Afghanistan’s role in China-India competition in Central Asia
Recent separate summits between China, India and Central Asian republics stressed New Delhi – Beijing’s competition in the region and their attempt to influence local dynamics exploiting the current situation in Afghanistan, economic cooperation, investments in infrastructural projects, and security cooperation against terrorism.
-
Kazakhstan and Bashkortostan increased their trade volume and economic partnership
Since Kazakhstan and Bashkortostan have increased their economic partnership and trade volume, Ufa might significantly promote and strengthen Moscow-Nursultan relations.
-
Taliban and Turkmenistan discussed the TAPI pipeline project
The meeting between the Taliban and the Turkmen representaives in Ashgabat underlined the Taliban’s attempt to create partnerships and joint projects with Central Asian republics and Turkmenistan’s necessity to discuss with the Afghan interim Government the promotion of the TAPI natural gas pipeline.
-
Geopolitical consequences of the political crisis in Kazakhstan
The recent Kazakh political crisis and the CSTO military intervention in the country marked a new phase in the geopolitics of Central Asia since the Kremlin re-established its grip on the Republic of Kazakhstan after having military and politically supported President Toqayev.
-
Protests and state of emergency in Kazakhstan
In the Central Asian republic of Kazakhstan, the protests due to the price rise of the liquid natural gas caused the Government to resign and pushed Kazakh President Tokayev to declare a two-week state of emergency.
-
Taliban involved in clashes at the Afghanistan-Turkmenistan border
The recent border clashes between the Taliban and Turkmen security forces highlight how fragile the security situation is in the region. As a matter of fact, in the last month, the Taliban also collided with the Iranian and Pakistani border guards.
-
China confirms its commitment and strategy in Central Asia
In connection with the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the five Central Asian states, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, Wang Yi, confirmed Beijing’s commitment and strategy in Central Asia and the Chinese desire to expand further cooperation and partnership in the region.