Adilet and Amanat? 😬

We dug through the numbers and compiled our own dataset to understand how the Xi era has reshaped China's relationship w/ Central Asia. We looked at diplomatic engagement, the unique role that Xinjiang plays, and we also compared Xi to the Hu Jintao era.

Lots of jokes in Kazakhstan about two large, amorphous pro-government parties taking the "brave" and "decisive" step of merging. Almost feel sorry for Erlan Koshanov trying to explain the point of the exercise to journalists: "We're not saying goodbye..." instagram.com/p/DZfWP6KIJPC/

Football is having a moment in #CentralAsia - great piece by @pashab05 for @eurasianet as #Uzbekistan makes its World Cup debut, also taking in the soccer scene in #Kazakhstan eurasianet.org/central-asian…

China Overtakes Russia As Central Asia's Top Foreign Investor rferl.org/a/china-russia-inv…

Central Asia’s aluminium map: One integrated chain, one smelter in search of feedstock and a $12.6B Chinese bet alcircle.com/press-release/c…

From $240M to nearly $1B in just four years! #Kazakhstan's oilseed industry is on a roll 🌻 Now the 6th largest #sunfloweroilexporter in the world, with eyes set on $1.5B by 2028. 🔗astanatimes.com/2026/06/kaza…

After Kyrgyzstan's election as non-permanent member of #UNSC, President Sadyr Japarov says reaching peace with Tajikistan over border helped Bishkek beat the Philippines to the seat. Unsurprisingly argues that #sanctions should be subject to @UN agreement. kg.akipress.org/news:2480035…

In which Turkmen children perform a "Dance of the Notifications." Who writes this stuff? turkmenistan.gov.tm/en/post/…

On Kyrgyz economy: "This growth model is producing side effects that are beginning to emerge in the form of declining re-exports and rising inflation, which is approaching overheating levels." kz.kursiv.media/en/2026-06-0…

Uzbekistan resumes gold export with $1.5 bn through April @business bloomberg.com/news/articles/…

1/ Russia's economy has more runway than some predict — but it's far less resilient than the Kremlin wants to admit. The main nail holding it together is the Central Bank and Elvira Nabiullina, who has exactly one year left. Her term ends June 24, 2027. w @kolyandr and @thebell_io looked at what comes next en.thebell.io/russias-2027-s…

Turkmenistan’s government actively engages in transnational repression to silence dissidents, bloggers, and activists abroad. Transnational repression profoundly impacts the lives and freedoms of people in Turkmenistan. The psychological strain on members of diaspora, their families, communities impact civic and cultural spaces ultimately silencing efforts to engage on societal issues in constructive and peaceful ways. Turkmenistan ranks 7 with 53 incidents of direct, physical transnational repression against its own citizens @freedomhouse #Turkmenistan progres.online/society/beyon…

It was a great pleasure to pay a courtesy call on Ambassador Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti of Brazil - one of the most distinguished diplomats of our time. I could not resist asking why she had not been nominated for the position of UN Secretary-General, at a moment when it is both Latin America’s turn and time for a woman to lead the United Nations. Ambassador Viotti explained that Brazil, as a major regional power, adheres to the unwritten rule of not seeking the Organization’s top post. Truly a loss for international diplomacy.

They used to do this with the @WHO, which by never pushing back allowed a personalist dictatorship to undermine the credibility of an international organization

American Professor and Longtime Central Asia Researcher Denied Entry to Kyrgyzstan timesca.com/american-profess…

Support to my friend and colleague @steveswerdlow, a person who has studied, loved, and defended #CentralAsia for decades now facing unjust (and unexplained) challenges to enter the region. #Kyrgyzstan 24.kg/english/374423_Human_r…

Lots of noise regarding the influence of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's sister's family over Kazakhstan's economy in recent years. This dig from the Kazakh Service of @RFERL is a good factual look at some of the connections/proxies of the Izbastins. azattyqasia.org/a/chastnaya-…

Tajikistan and China signed 31 new cooperation documents. Two key documents: — Joint Declaration on Deepening Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Relations in the New Era — Treaty of Eternal Friendship, Good-Neighborliness and Cooperation between Tajikistan and China As the parties noted, the main motto of this document is: “Friends forever, enemies never”, reports the press service of the President of Tajikistan. t.me/asiaplus/99404

Crypto import of luxury vehicles = two of Kyrgyzstan's favorite pastimes of late. This @Chosun report from South Korea has both elements. 🇰🇷Coast Guard official: “We plan to collaborate with Interpol to apprehend the mastermind in Kyrgyzstan.” chosun.com/english/national-…