Oguljahan Atabayeva of the Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov Foundation says the foundation’s efforts are constantly evolving, now offering support even beyond Turkmenistan’s borders. https://t.co/0bpHgpkM5V
15 posts • Grok (2)
Published
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has declared that attempts to undermine the relationship between Türkiye and the Turkic world through manipulation will not succeed. Speaking at a joint press conference with his Norwegian counterpart Espen Barth Eide in Ankara, Fidan emphasized that the Turkic world will continue to stand by the Turkish Cypriots.
Fidan's remarks come in the context of recent actions by several Turkic states, including Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkmenistan, who have engaged in agreements with the European Union that involve recognizing the Greek Cypriot administration. Fidan stated that Türkiye will patiently continue its policies supporting the Turkish Cypriots, viewing these issues as family matters to be resolved internally.
5 posts • GPT (4.1 mini)
Published
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has criticized Western efforts to re-engage in Afghanistan through a new consultation format initiated in Doha. Lavrov warned that the return of NATO military infrastructure to Afghanistan is unacceptable and would create a "time bomb." He emphasized that Russia and Central Asian countries now play the primary role in Afghan foreign policy and expressed openness to Western participation only if it is transparent, fair, and free of hidden agendas. Lavrov made these remarks following his visit to Uzbekistan, where he also noted that mutual trade between Russia and Uzbekistan is increasing despite challenges such as illegal sanctions.
53 posts • Grok (2)
Published
U.S. businessman James Cameron has offered $5 billion to acquire Eurasian Resources Group (ERG), a Luxembourg-based global mining giant, according to a letter sent to ERG's board. The offer is part of Cameron's strategy to engage in the rare earths sector in Central Asia, as ERG prepares to participate in a major expansion of Kazakhstan's rare earths output.
ERG has denied any sale negotiations, stating there are no talks underway. However, sources close to ERG indicate that negotiations with Cameron began at the end of last year. ERG, which is 40% owned by the Kazakh government, is set to play a key role in increasing Kazakhstan's rare earths production by 40% by 2028.
Read more
4 posts • GPT (4.1 mini)
Published
The Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC) has officially launched a specialized training program titled "Countering Terrorism Financing and Money Laundering" in Nairobi, Kenya. The program aims to enhance efforts to dismantle terrorism financing networks and target financial backers of extremist groups. The launch was supported by Kenya's Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya and involves the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF). This initiative is part of broader regional efforts to combat terrorism financing, including India's recent hosting of a Capacity Building Programme for Central Asian Republics, which featured senior experts from Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan. Additionally, experts have highlighted the need for border and law enforcement personnel to receive training incorporating gender perspectives to improve counterterrorism engagement with women as both potential threats and allies.
19 posts • GPT (4.1 mini)
Published
China has inaugurated a new regular freight train route from Chongqing in southwest China to Uzbekistan, marking an expansion of its rail connectivity to Central Asian countries. The freight train, loaded with polyester chips manufactured in Chongqing, departed on April 20, 2025, and is expected to reach Tashkent, Uzbekistan, in approximately 12 days, covering around 4,700 kilometers. This service will operate twice monthly with fixed schedules and routes, reducing travel time to Central Asia by 30%. Concurrently, China has opened its first shipping route from the Yangtze River to Africa, exemplified by a cargo ship loaded with cars, buses, and construction machinery departing from Taicang Port. In Latin America, China is advancing infrastructure projects to enhance trade logistics, including a proposed bioceanic corridor linking Brazil to the Pacific Ocean through Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, and Peru. A Chinese delegation comprising officials from China State Railway Group and the Ministry of Transport recently visited Brazil to discuss a railway project connecting Brazil to the Chancay megaport in Peru, which is partly funded by the China Ocean Shipping Group with a $3.5 billion investment. This corridor aims to bypass traditional Atlantic shipping routes, reducing transportation time and costs for exports such as soybeans, beef, and grains. Additionally, China has launched the world’s largest cargo ship, measuring 400 meters in length with a capacity of 24,000 containers, powered by dual-fuel LNG technology and capable of traveling 37,000 kilometers without refueling. This development underscores China's growing industrial and logistical capabilities on a global scale.
8 posts • GPT (4.1 mini)
Published
Serdar Denktas, son of the historic leader of the Turkish Cypriot administration, has called on Ankara to recognize the Republic of Cyprus, labeling hopes for international recognition of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) as deceptive. Turkish Cyprus Foreign Minister Ertugruloglu criticized Greek Cypriots for using the European Union as a political tool and reaffirmed the TRNC's sovereign stance. Meanwhile, three Central Asian members of the Turkic bloc have recognized the Greek Cypriot administration by signing two contested United Nations resolutions on Cyprus, marking a setback for Turkey's TRNC strategy and causing diplomatic tensions within the Turkic organization. This diplomatic shift represents a notable success for the Republic of Cyprus against Turkey. Commentary from analysts suggests that the current two-state solution model has been rejected by the people and calls for Athens and Nicosia to work towards a resolution that ensures a prosperous future. Additionally, discussions around the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) emphasize its Greek heritage, reinforcing territorial claims in the Eastern Mediterranean. Tourism improvements in Cyprus continue without new shocks, contributing to the island's economic stability amid ongoing diplomatic developments.
9 posts • GPT (4.1 mini)
Published
The Prime Minister of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Ünal Üstel, announced that İbrahim Damar, the imam of Hamitköy Mosque who defended the wearing of headscarves, was penalized and subsequently dismissed from his duties. This action has sparked reactions within the TRNC government, with Erhan Arıklı, the Minister of Public Works and Transport, condemning protests against the headscarf and criticizing those targeting Turkey. Arıklı also called on the Minister of National Education to investigate teachers who punished students over headscarf issues. Meanwhile, diplomatic developments have unfolded as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan—members of the Turkic Council—have recognized the Greek Cypriot administration, marking a setback for Turkey's strategy supporting the TRNC. This shift is viewed by Ankara as a betrayal and a blow to President Erdoğan's pan-Turkism ambitions, while the European Union considers it a diplomatic success. In the TRNC, Serdar Denktaş, son of the historic leader of the unrecognized state, has urged Turkey to recognize the Republic of Cyprus, dismissing hopes for international recognition of the TRNC as deceptive. The controversy over headscarves extends to mainland Turkey, where a parent in Samsun filed a complaint alleging discrimination and mobbing by a teacher against his daughter for wearing a headscarf. The ongoing tensions reflect deeper political and cultural conflicts surrounding identity, sovereignty, and regional alliances in Cyprus and the broader Turkic world.
4 posts • GPT (4.1 mini)
Published
On April 15, 2025, China launched its first "single order" rail-water intermodal freight train connecting the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area with the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei economic region. The train, carrying ceramic tiles, departed from Zhaoqing station in the Greater Bay Area and will be transported via sea from Guangzhou Nansha Port to Tianjin Port, a core hub of the northern economic region. On April 16, 2025, Beijing dispatched its first China-Europe freight train of the year bound for Moscow, Russia. The train, loaded with goods including air conditioners, waterproof membranes, and tires, will travel approximately 9,000 kilometers via the Manzhouli border crossing, with an estimated transit time of 16 days. Additionally, Jiangsu province launched its first "China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan" rail-road multimodal international freight train from Wuxi on April 16. This train, carrying machinery and plastic products weighing about 1,158 tons, will cover around 5,800 kilometers with an estimated transit time of 13 to 15 days, marking a new phase in Jiangsu’s international logistics corridor development.
6 posts • GPT (4.1 mini)
Published
Following a recent executive order by President Donald Trump, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), a U.S.-funded news media outlet, faces potential closure. This development has raised concerns about the impact on Eastern Europe and Central Asia, where RFE/RL has played a critical role in providing independent news coverage. Russian independent newsrooms operating in exile, including Mediazona, have been instrumental in exposing Kremlin crackdowns on civil society, such as the closed-door trial of four journalists in Moscow. The shutdown of RFE/RL and related outlets like Voice of America (VOA) risks blinding U.S. policymakers to grassroots realities in countries like China and reducing access to reliable information about authoritarian regimes. The plight of jailed Russian journalists has been highlighted as emblematic of the struggle for press freedom, with some commentators noting their courage in contrast to American media. One notable case involves Kuznechyk, a journalist who, after imprisonment and exile in Lithuania, was informed by RFE/RL leadership about the possible closure of the organization.
5 posts • GPT (4o mini)
Published
The recent cancellation of 83% of USAID programs by President Trump has had far-reaching consequences, particularly for the Central Tibetan Administration, which depends on USAID for nearly half of its annual budget. The abrupt dismantling of USAID, the primary foreign development agency of the United States, is causing disruptions in health care systems across Africa, where a complex network of national health ministries, private sectors, nonprofits, and foreign aid had previously supported health initiatives. The World Health Organization has warned that the cuts are leading to effects comparable to those experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. The impact is also being felt in Central Asia, particularly in Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, where critical health projects, including tuberculosis treatment, have been halted. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the dissolution of USAID has resulted in immediate job losses, medicine shortages, and the closure of clinics, highlighting the widespread ramifications of these funding cuts.
4 posts • GPT (4.1 mini)
Published
The Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) has identified Afghanistan as a growing source of regional insecurity, highlighting concerns over terrorism, extremism, and drug trafficking originating from its territory. CSTO members have expressed deep concern about the increasing security threats in Afghanistan's border areas with Central Asia, particularly affecting neighboring countries such as Tajikistan. In response, the CSTO has launched a border security program aimed at enhancing coordinated policies to combat these challenges. Uzbekistan has emphasized that stability in Afghanistan is crucial for the broader security and stability of Central and South Asia. Additionally, calls have been made for a lasting solution that formally recognizes Afghanistan as an independent nation and promotes economic cooperation to create jobs and foster long-term peace through development.
7 posts • GPT (4o mini)
Published
In the first quarter of 2025, China's railway network transported 970 million tonnes of cargo, marking a 3.1% increase year-on-year, according to the China State Railway Group. The daily loading reached 179,000 cars, up 4.2% from the previous year. Notably, the number of freight trains operating between China and Central Asia rose by 25.5% year-on-year to 3,582, while cross-border cargo traffic on the China-Laos Railway increased by 10%, amounting to 1.5 million tonnes. Additionally, the China-Laos Railway has facilitated 1.91 million passenger trips since the launch of its international passenger service on April 13, 2023, with 487,000 of those being cross-border journeys from 112 countries and regions. The cross-border passenger service has been operational for two years and has contributed to enhancing infrastructure and economic development in the region. Furthermore, border inspection agencies in China recorded 163 million entries and exits in the first quarter of 2025, reflecting a 15.3% increase year-on-year, with foreign entries rising by 33.4%.
5 posts • GPT (4o mini)
Published
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has announced that seven countries have officially submitted expressions of interest to host the 2031 AFC Asian Cup. The countries include Australia, India, Indonesia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, South Korea, and a joint bid from Central Asian nations: Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. The All India Football Federation confirmed India's bid to host the tournament, which is one of the largest football events in Asia.
12 posts • GPT (4o)
Published
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov arrived in Almaty, Kazakhstan, on April 9, 2025, to participate in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Foreign Ministers Council meeting and the 8th Meeting of Foreign Ministers of Russia and Central Asian states. The CIS meeting took place on April 11, with discussions focusing on regional cooperation, political and economic issues, cultural and security matters, and preparations for the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War.
Read more
15 posts • Grok (2)
Published
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has declared that attempts to undermine the relationship between Türkiye and the Turkic world through manipulation will not succeed. Speaking at a joint press conference with his Norwegian counterpart Espen Barth Eide in Ankara, Fidan emphasized that the Turkic world will continue to stand by the Turkish Cypriots.
Fidan's remarks come in the context of recent actions by several Turkic states, including Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkmenistan, who have engaged in agreements with the European Union that involve recognizing the Greek Cypriot administration. Fidan stated that Türkiye will patiently continue its policies supporting the Turkish Cypriots, viewing these issues as family matters to be resolved internally.
5 posts • GPT (4.1 mini)
Published
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has criticized Western efforts to re-engage in Afghanistan through a new consultation format initiated in Doha. Lavrov warned that the return of NATO military infrastructure to Afghanistan is unacceptable and would create a "time bomb." He emphasized that Russia and Central Asian countries now play the primary role in Afghan foreign policy and expressed openness to Western participation only if it is transparent, fair, and free of hidden agendas. Lavrov made these remarks following his visit to Uzbekistan, where he also noted that mutual trade between Russia and Uzbekistan is increasing despite challenges such as illegal sanctions.
53 posts • Grok (2)
Published
U.S. businessman James Cameron has offered $5 billion to acquire Eurasian Resources Group (ERG), a Luxembourg-based global mining giant, according to a letter sent to ERG's board. The offer is part of Cameron's strategy to engage in the rare earths sector in Central Asia, as ERG prepares to participate in a major expansion of Kazakhstan's rare earths output.
ERG has denied any sale negotiations, stating there are no talks underway. However, sources close to ERG indicate that negotiations with Cameron began at the end of last year. ERG, which is 40% owned by the Kazakh government, is set to play a key role in increasing Kazakhstan's rare earths production by 40% by 2028.
Read more
4 posts • GPT (4.1 mini)
Published
The Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC) has officially launched a specialized training program titled "Countering Terrorism Financing and Money Laundering" in Nairobi, Kenya. The program aims to enhance efforts to dismantle terrorism financing networks and target financial backers of extremist groups. The launch was supported by Kenya's Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya and involves the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF). This initiative is part of broader regional efforts to combat terrorism financing, including India's recent hosting of a Capacity Building Programme for Central Asian Republics, which featured senior experts from Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan. Additionally, experts have highlighted the need for border and law enforcement personnel to receive training incorporating gender perspectives to improve counterterrorism engagement with women as both potential threats and allies.
19 posts • GPT (4.1 mini)
Published
China has inaugurated a new regular freight train route from Chongqing in southwest China to Uzbekistan, marking an expansion of its rail connectivity to Central Asian countries. The freight train, loaded with polyester chips manufactured in Chongqing, departed on April 20, 2025, and is expected to reach Tashkent, Uzbekistan, in approximately 12 days, covering around 4,700 kilometers. This service will operate twice monthly with fixed schedules and routes, reducing travel time to Central Asia by 30%. Concurrently, China has opened its first shipping route from the Yangtze River to Africa, exemplified by a cargo ship loaded with cars, buses, and construction machinery departing from Taicang Port. In Latin America, China is advancing infrastructure projects to enhance trade logistics, including a proposed bioceanic corridor linking Brazil to the Pacific Ocean through Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, and Peru. A Chinese delegation comprising officials from China State Railway Group and the Ministry of Transport recently visited Brazil to discuss a railway project connecting Brazil to the Chancay megaport in Peru, which is partly funded by the China Ocean Shipping Group with a $3.5 billion investment. This corridor aims to bypass traditional Atlantic shipping routes, reducing transportation time and costs for exports such as soybeans, beef, and grains. Additionally, China has launched the world’s largest cargo ship, measuring 400 meters in length with a capacity of 24,000 containers, powered by dual-fuel LNG technology and capable of traveling 37,000 kilometers without refueling. This development underscores China's growing industrial and logistical capabilities on a global scale.
8 posts • GPT (4.1 mini)
Published
Serdar Denktas, son of the historic leader of the Turkish Cypriot administration, has called on Ankara to recognize the Republic of Cyprus, labeling hopes for international recognition of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) as deceptive. Turkish Cyprus Foreign Minister Ertugruloglu criticized Greek Cypriots for using the European Union as a political tool and reaffirmed the TRNC's sovereign stance. Meanwhile, three Central Asian members of the Turkic bloc have recognized the Greek Cypriot administration by signing two contested United Nations resolutions on Cyprus, marking a setback for Turkey's TRNC strategy and causing diplomatic tensions within the Turkic organization. This diplomatic shift represents a notable success for the Republic of Cyprus against Turkey. Commentary from analysts suggests that the current two-state solution model has been rejected by the people and calls for Athens and Nicosia to work towards a resolution that ensures a prosperous future. Additionally, discussions around the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) emphasize its Greek heritage, reinforcing territorial claims in the Eastern Mediterranean. Tourism improvements in Cyprus continue without new shocks, contributing to the island's economic stability amid ongoing diplomatic developments.
9 posts • GPT (4.1 mini)
Published
The Prime Minister of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Ünal Üstel, announced that İbrahim Damar, the imam of Hamitköy Mosque who defended the wearing of headscarves, was penalized and subsequently dismissed from his duties. This action has sparked reactions within the TRNC government, with Erhan Arıklı, the Minister of Public Works and Transport, condemning protests against the headscarf and criticizing those targeting Turkey. Arıklı also called on the Minister of National Education to investigate teachers who punished students over headscarf issues. Meanwhile, diplomatic developments have unfolded as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan—members of the Turkic Council—have recognized the Greek Cypriot administration, marking a setback for Turkey's strategy supporting the TRNC. This shift is viewed by Ankara as a betrayal and a blow to President Erdoğan's pan-Turkism ambitions, while the European Union considers it a diplomatic success. In the TRNC, Serdar Denktaş, son of the historic leader of the unrecognized state, has urged Turkey to recognize the Republic of Cyprus, dismissing hopes for international recognition of the TRNC as deceptive. The controversy over headscarves extends to mainland Turkey, where a parent in Samsun filed a complaint alleging discrimination and mobbing by a teacher against his daughter for wearing a headscarf. The ongoing tensions reflect deeper political and cultural conflicts surrounding identity, sovereignty, and regional alliances in Cyprus and the broader Turkic world.
4 posts • GPT (4.1 mini)
Published
On April 15, 2025, China launched its first "single order" rail-water intermodal freight train connecting the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area with the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei economic region. The train, carrying ceramic tiles, departed from Zhaoqing station in the Greater Bay Area and will be transported via sea from Guangzhou Nansha Port to Tianjin Port, a core hub of the northern economic region. On April 16, 2025, Beijing dispatched its first China-Europe freight train of the year bound for Moscow, Russia. The train, loaded with goods including air conditioners, waterproof membranes, and tires, will travel approximately 9,000 kilometers via the Manzhouli border crossing, with an estimated transit time of 16 days. Additionally, Jiangsu province launched its first "China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan" rail-road multimodal international freight train from Wuxi on April 16. This train, carrying machinery and plastic products weighing about 1,158 tons, will cover around 5,800 kilometers with an estimated transit time of 13 to 15 days, marking a new phase in Jiangsu’s international logistics corridor development.
6 posts • GPT (4.1 mini)
Published
Following a recent executive order by President Donald Trump, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), a U.S.-funded news media outlet, faces potential closure. This development has raised concerns about the impact on Eastern Europe and Central Asia, where RFE/RL has played a critical role in providing independent news coverage. Russian independent newsrooms operating in exile, including Mediazona, have been instrumental in exposing Kremlin crackdowns on civil society, such as the closed-door trial of four journalists in Moscow. The shutdown of RFE/RL and related outlets like Voice of America (VOA) risks blinding U.S. policymakers to grassroots realities in countries like China and reducing access to reliable information about authoritarian regimes. The plight of jailed Russian journalists has been highlighted as emblematic of the struggle for press freedom, with some commentators noting their courage in contrast to American media. One notable case involves Kuznechyk, a journalist who, after imprisonment and exile in Lithuania, was informed by RFE/RL leadership about the possible closure of the organization.
5 posts • GPT (4o mini)
Published
The recent cancellation of 83% of USAID programs by President Trump has had far-reaching consequences, particularly for the Central Tibetan Administration, which depends on USAID for nearly half of its annual budget. The abrupt dismantling of USAID, the primary foreign development agency of the United States, is causing disruptions in health care systems across Africa, where a complex network of national health ministries, private sectors, nonprofits, and foreign aid had previously supported health initiatives. The World Health Organization has warned that the cuts are leading to effects comparable to those experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. The impact is also being felt in Central Asia, particularly in Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, where critical health projects, including tuberculosis treatment, have been halted. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the dissolution of USAID has resulted in immediate job losses, medicine shortages, and the closure of clinics, highlighting the widespread ramifications of these funding cuts.
4 posts • GPT (4.1 mini)
Published
The Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) has identified Afghanistan as a growing source of regional insecurity, highlighting concerns over terrorism, extremism, and drug trafficking originating from its territory. CSTO members have expressed deep concern about the increasing security threats in Afghanistan's border areas with Central Asia, particularly affecting neighboring countries such as Tajikistan. In response, the CSTO has launched a border security program aimed at enhancing coordinated policies to combat these challenges. Uzbekistan has emphasized that stability in Afghanistan is crucial for the broader security and stability of Central and South Asia. Additionally, calls have been made for a lasting solution that formally recognizes Afghanistan as an independent nation and promotes economic cooperation to create jobs and foster long-term peace through development.
7 posts • GPT (4o mini)
Published
In the first quarter of 2025, China's railway network transported 970 million tonnes of cargo, marking a 3.1% increase year-on-year, according to the China State Railway Group. The daily loading reached 179,000 cars, up 4.2% from the previous year. Notably, the number of freight trains operating between China and Central Asia rose by 25.5% year-on-year to 3,582, while cross-border cargo traffic on the China-Laos Railway increased by 10%, amounting to 1.5 million tonnes. Additionally, the China-Laos Railway has facilitated 1.91 million passenger trips since the launch of its international passenger service on April 13, 2023, with 487,000 of those being cross-border journeys from 112 countries and regions. The cross-border passenger service has been operational for two years and has contributed to enhancing infrastructure and economic development in the region. Furthermore, border inspection agencies in China recorded 163 million entries and exits in the first quarter of 2025, reflecting a 15.3% increase year-on-year, with foreign entries rising by 33.4%.
5 posts • GPT (4o mini)
Published
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has announced that seven countries have officially submitted expressions of interest to host the 2031 AFC Asian Cup. The countries include Australia, India, Indonesia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, South Korea, and a joint bid from Central Asian nations: Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. The All India Football Federation confirmed India's bid to host the tournament, which is one of the largest football events in Asia.
12 posts • GPT (4o)
Published
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov arrived in Almaty, Kazakhstan, on April 9, 2025, to participate in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Foreign Ministers Council meeting and the 8th Meeting of Foreign Ministers of Russia and Central Asian states. The CIS meeting took place on April 11, with discussions focusing on regional cooperation, political and economic issues, cultural and security matters, and preparations for the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War.
Read more