From Tajikistan to Kyrgyzstan former leading politicians are on trial on charges of high treason just because they were identified as possible alternatives to ‘dynastic’ successions. While in Kazakhstan on trial is a group that allegedly ‘menacingly’ planned to storm the presidential palace with a tractor and a cannon loaded with potato fragments.
On the bitter clash triggered by President Yoon's attempt to proclaim martial law, Radio Azattyk has gathered the opinions of Kazakhs who (with or without papers) are lacorating in the Korean capital. In their voices the hope that a change in the country's leadership will make life easier for them too.
Two high-ranking security officials in prison, dozens of other personalities forced to resign. Accused of opaque relations with businessmen and mafia clans. One of them was known for torturing a blogger critical of President Mirziyoyev.
Ašgabat possesses natural gas reserves of 17.5 trillion cubic metres, ranking 4th after Russia, Iran and Qatar. Today it can no longer sell it to Moscow on the agreed terms, and this could open up new possibilities for Uzbek neighbours living in the cold. But it would require a political choice that is anything but simple.
In spite of distancing itself from the invasion of Ukraine, Kazakhstan continues to cooperate intensively with Moscow, but also intensifies agreements with Western countries. Today it is ‘closer than Europe’ for Russia, and at the same time ‘brings Europe closer to China’. And precisely the meeting of different worlds could be the great opportunity for the heirs of the nomads of Central Asia.
At Cop29, President Rakhmon presented his plan for the country's complete transition to a green economy by 2037. A challenge for a reality where fields facing long periods of drought, reduced harvests even in dryland farming, and many livestock losses are putting a strain not only on workers in the agricultural sector, but on the entire population.
