Latest Articles about Central Asia

BAKIYEV PLAYS THE SECURITY CARD

Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev, having secured a deal over the future of the U.S. military deployment at Manas, is rapidly consolidating his regional reputation for combating terrorism and extremism. He is doing so primarily through his contacts with Uzbekistan, and, by broadening his definition of... MORE

KYRGYZ-UZBEK SECURITY RELATIONS: SIMILAR PROBLEMS, DIFFERENT POLICIES

Recently revived security ties between Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan risk becoming yet another pompous declaration made by leaders of both states on regional security, fighting terrorism, religious extremism, and drug trafficking. The experience of the past year shows that political climates in both countries have rather... MORE

IRAN BUILDS PARTNERSHIP WITH TAJIKISTAN

Iran, despite intense U.S. and British diplomatic efforts, has pressed ahead with its strategy of strengthening regional ties in Central Asia, putting a special focus on Tajikistan. Washington and London have probed these evolving relations without making any headway on the Tajik government’s support for... MORE

RUSSIA HIGHLIGHTS CENTRAL ASIAN AGENDA AT G-8 SUMMIT

By welcoming Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev, the only post-Soviet leader invited to attend the G-8 summit, Russia emphasized Central Asian energy issues at the meeting in St. Petersburg. At a bilateral meeting during the summit, Russian President Vladimir Putin hailed Nazarbayev's attendance as "useful" (RIA-Novosti,... MORE

PUTIN AND NAZARBAYEV INK DEAL TO PROCESS GAS AT ORENBURG

On the sidelines of the G-8 summit, Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev and Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a declaration on long-term cooperation in processing Karachaganak gas at Gazprom's Orenburg plant. Both sides pledged to jointly develop the Karachaganak gas field and set up a joint... MORE

BAKIYEV RELIES ON RUSSIA IN DOMESTIC AFFAIRS

Kyrgyzstan’s relations with Russia have noticeably intensified after the March 24, 2005, Tulip Revolution. Today, bilateral ties are at the peak of cooperation, with Kyrgyzstan and Russia collaborating in the political, economic, and military spheres. The slogan “Kyrgyzstan and Russia -- Eternal Friends” is seen... MORE

WASHINGTON SECURES DEAL ON KYRGYZ BASE

The United States has successfully secured the future of its military deployment at the Ganci airbase at Manas, ending a period of protracted uncertainty over the presence of the American military in Kyrgyzstan. This resulted from yet another round of negotiations, triggered by Kyrgyz demands... MORE

KYRGYZ GOVERNMENT RISKS RELATIONS WITH U.S. BEFORE G-8 SUMMIT

On Monday, July 10, the Kyrgyz Ministry of Foreign Affairs threatened to expel two U.S. diplomats for allegedly interfering in Kyrgyzstan’s internal affairs and having inappropriate contacts with local non-governmental organizations. According to the Ministry, the allegations are based on facts acquired by the Kyrgyz... MORE

BISHKEK COURTS ASTANA FOR BIG INVESTMENT

Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev paid an official visit to Astana, Kazakhstan, July 4-5 at the invitation of Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev. Bakiyev was given an exceptionally warm, brotherly welcome, and he was obviously satisfied with the outcome of his visit, despite some difficult talks on... MORE