Stephen M. Bland (@StephenMBland) | Aguea

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Stephen M. Bland retweeted

The Times of Central Asia

@thetimesoca

10h

A 43-kilometer stretch of railway could become one of Eurasia’s most important transport links. Completing the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan corridor would strengthen regional trade and deepen Central Asia’s connectivity. timesca.com/the-43-kilometer…

The 43 Kilometers That Could Rewire Eurasia - The Times Of Central Asia

The Caspian Policy Center’s Trans-Caspian Forum 2026 convened U.S. and regional officials at the National Press Club in Washington on June 10 for a discussion

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Stephen M. Bland retweeted

The Times of Central Asia

@thetimesoca

10h

The Bishkek International Film Festival is positioning itself as a regional cinema hub, bringing filmmakers and industry leaders together as Central Asia’s film sector gains momentum. Read more in our latest article. timesca.com/bishkek-film-fes…

Bishkek Film Festival Positions Itself as Central Asia’s New Cinema Hub - The Times Of Central Asia

In summary, the Bishkek Film Festival has become a valuable platform for young filmmakers from around the world, and especially from Central Asia.

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Stephen M. Bland retweeted

The Times of Central Asia

@thetimesoca

Jun 12

Kyrgyzstan and Georgia are exploring transport links that could connect the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway to Black Sea ports, expanding trade routes between Central Asia, the Caucasus, and global markets. @StephenMBland timesca.com/kyrgyzstan-and-g…

Kyrgyzstan and Georgia Seek Black Sea Link for CKU Railway - The Times Of Central Asia

Kyrgyzstan and Georgia placed Black Sea access at the center of their transport agenda during Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze's official visit to

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Stephen M. Bland retweeted

The Times of Central Asia

@thetimesoca

Jun 11

As U.S. interest in critical minerals grows, Kazakhstan is making the case for a larger role in the supply chain. Officials are emphasizing processing, technology transfer, and value-added production rather than simply exporting raw materials. timesca.com/kazakhstan-seeks…

Kazakhstan Seeks More Than Extraction as U.S. Minerals Interest Grows - The Times Of Central Asia

Kazakhstan is using renewed U.S. interest in critical minerals to push a larger industrial goal: moving beyond raw-material exports and into processing,

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Stephen M. Bland retweeted

The Times of Central Asia

@thetimesoca

Jun 8

From cultural diplomacy to critical minerals, the C5 1 agenda is placing Central Asia at the center of U.S. engagement. Washington is increasingly focusing on trade, investment, and strategic partnerships across the region. @StephenMBland timesca.com/from-culture-to-…

From Culture to Critical Minerals: C5 1 Opens Busy U.S. Week in Central Asia - The Times Of Central...

The United States and Central Asia moved another part of the C5 1 agenda into a working-level form on June 5, when culture officials from the five Central

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Stephen M. Bland retweeted

UNDP Kazakhstan 🇰🇿

@UNDPKAZ

Jun 5

Wildlife crosses borders. Conservation must too. From snow leopards roaming mountain ranges to migratory birds crossing continents, Central Asia’s biodiversity depends on connected landscapes. Protecting nature requires regional cooperation and shared responsibility #ForPeopleForPlanet

The Times of Central Asia

@thetimesoca

Jun 5

In a special opinion piece, UNDP Resident Representatives from the five Central Asian countries explore why protecting the region’s wildlife requires shared responsibility. @UNDPEurasia @UNDP_Uzbekistan @UNDPKAZ @undpkg @UNDPTJK @UNDPTM timesca.com/undp-opinion-cen…

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Stephen M. Bland retweeted

The Times of Central Asia

@thetimesoca

Jun 5

For decades, water management in Central Asia revolved around quotas and disputes. Today, governments are increasingly focusing on major infrastructure projects, regional coordination, and long term water security. timesca.com/megaprojects-ins…

Megaprojects Instead of Quotas: How Central Asia’s Water Diplomacy Is Changing - The Times Of...

Central Asia’s water politics are moving beyond Soviet-era quotas. As glaciers in the Tien Shan retreat and climate pressure increases, river management has

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Stephen M. Bland retweeted

The Times of Central Asia

@thetimesoca

Jun 5

In a special opinion piece, UNDP Resident Representatives from the five Central Asian countries explore why protecting the region’s wildlife requires shared responsibility. @UNDPEurasia @UNDP_Uzbekistan @UNDPKAZ @undpkg @UNDPTJK @UNDPTM timesca.com/undp-opinion-cen…

UNDP Opinion: Central Asia - Shared Wildlife, Shared Landscapes, Shared Responsibility - The Times...

Over the past decade, habitat countries have strengthened efforts to protect the species through national conservation strategies, expanded protected areas,

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Stephen M. Bland retweeted

The Times of Central Asia

@thetimesoca

Jun 4

A former Kazakh nuclear engineer played a key role in helping U.S. federal agents uncover a multimillion dollar criminal operation, applying technical expertise in an investigation far removed from his original field. timesca.com/former-kazakh-nu…

Former Kazakh Nuclear Engineer Helps Federal Agents Bust $20 Million Fentanyl Operation - The Times...

A routine vehicle delivery across the United States turned into a federal drug operation after a former Kazakh nuclear industry engineer spotted warning signs

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Stephen M. Bland retweeted

The Times of Central Asia

@thetimesoca

Jun 4

Deep in the mountains of Tajikistan, the Rogun Dam is rising as one of the world’s most ambitious hydropower projects. Our latest report looks inside the mega project reshaping the country’s energy future. @EmmCollet timesca.com/inside-tajikista…

Inside Tajikistan’s Rogun Dam, the Mega-Project Built to Power a Nation - The Times Of Central Asia

“The meaning of the Rogun Dam has changed,” explains Artemy Kalinovsky, Professor of History at Temple University. “It is no longer simply a Soviet-era

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Stephen M. Bland retweeted

The Times of Central Asia

@thetimesoca

Jun 3

Kyrgyzstan has secured a seat on the UN Security Council, marking a significant diplomatic milestone and giving Central Asia a stronger voice on the world’s most prominent security forum. timesca.com/kyrgyzstan-elect…

Kyrgyzstan Wins First-Ever Seat on UN Security Council - The Times Of Central Asia

Kyrgyzstan has been elected to the United Nations Security Council for the 2027–2028 term, securing a non-permanent seat after a closely watched contest for

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Stephen M. Bland retweeted

The Times of Central Asia

@thetimesoca

Jun 3

Kazakhstan is increasingly positioning itself not only as a diplomatic bridge between major powers, but also as a regional organizer shaping cooperation on trade, connectivity, and security across Central Asia. timesca.com/kazakhstans-midd…

Kazakhstan’s Middle Power Moment: From Balancer to Regional Organizer - The Times Of Central Asia

In “What Is the Status of Middle Powers?”, Michel Duclos of the Institut Montaigne presents Kazakhstan as a test case for whether middle powers can still

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Stephen M. Bland retweeted

The Times of Central Asia

@thetimesoca

Jun 2

Samarkand’s Eco Expo is bringing together policymakers, investors, and businesses as Uzbekistan seeks to attract more capital into renewable energy, sustainable infrastructure, and green technology projects. @StephenMBland timesca.com/eco-expo-opens-i…

Eco Expo Opens in Samarkand as Uzbekistan Pushes Green Investment - The Times Of Central Asia

Eco Expo Central Asia 2026 opened on June 2 at the Expo Center of Silk Road Samarkand, placing Uzbekistan’s green economy plans before officials, lenders,

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Stephen M. Bland retweeted

The Times of Central Asia

@thetimesoca

Jun 1

As one Eurasian state explores closer ties with Europe, attention is turning to whether Uzbekistan could deepen its engagement with the Eurasian Economic Union and what that might mean for regional trade. timesca.com/as-armenia-looks…

As Armenia Looks West, Could Uzbekistan Move Closer to the EAEU? - The Times Of Central Asia

Armenia’s increasingly uncertain future within the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) appears to have entered a new phase. On May 29, the presidents of

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Stephen M. Bland retweeted

The Times of Central Asia

@thetimesoca

May 29

As disputes over uranium enrichment and international monitoring intensify in the Middle East, Kazakhstan is offering the IAEA a practical alternative. Read more in our latest from @RobertMCutler timesca.com/kazakhstan-offer…

Kazakhstan Offers the IAEA a Practical Option on Iran - The Times Of Central Asia

On May 26, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev received IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi in Astana. The meeting pointed beyond bilateral nuclear cooperation

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Stephen M. Bland retweeted

The Times of Central Asia

@thetimesoca

May 29

Putin’s visit to Astana offered a reminder that despite Kazakhstan’s expanding global partnerships, Russia still views energy, transit, and regional influence as central pillars of the relationship. Read more from @StephenMBland. timesca.com/putins-astana-vi…

Putin’s Astana Visit Shows What Russia Still Wants From Kazakhstan - The Times Of Central Asia

The Eurasian Economic Union summit in Astana gave Vladimir Putin's state visit a wider stage. The summit produced technical documents and familiar language

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Stephen M. Bland retweeted

The Times of Central Asia

@thetimesoca

May 27

Read our latest article where @BrucePannier examines whether cargo fleets on the Caspian Sea can expand quickly enough for the Middle Corridor to meet rising demand as trade routes between Asia and Europe continue to shift. timesca.com/can-caspian-carg…

Can Caspian Cargo Fleets Meet Middle Corridor Demands? - The Times Of Central Asia

Construction of infrastructure along the Middle Corridor, also called the Trans-Caspian International Trade Route, to ship goods between China and Europe is

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Stephen M. Bland retweeted

The Times of Central Asia

@thetimesoca

May 27

Kazakhstan says afforestation on the dried bed of the Aral Sea has now reached 1.2 million hectares, part of a long term effort to reduce toxic dust storms and restore ecosystems across one of Central Asia’s most damaged landscapes. timesca.com/kazakhstan-says-…

Kazakhstan Says Aral Sea Bed Afforestation Has Reached 1.2 Million Hectares - The Times Of Central...

The environmental disaster of the Aral Sea, once the world's fourth-largest lake, remains one of the most serious ecological challenges facing Central Asia.

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Stephen M. Bland retweeted

The Times of Central Asia

@thetimesoca

May 28

Central Asia may not need to choose between the Silk Road vision and the Organization of Turkic States as regional powers and partnerships continue to evolve. Read our latest opinion from @kenmoriyasu. timesca.com/silk-seven-or-th…

Opinion: Silk Seven or the OTS? Central Asia May Not Have to Choose - The Times Of Central Asia

A new proposal circulating in Washington – the Silk Seven Plus (S7 ) initiative – aims to reshape Central Asia by linking its five post-Soviet states with

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Stephen M. Bland retweeted

The Times of Central Asia

@thetimesoca

May 26

Rising fuel prices in Kazakhstan are being felt across Central Asia, exposing how closely regional economies remain tied to energy costs, cross border trade, and shifting government subsidy policies. @StephenMBland timesca.com/central-asia-fee…

Central Asia Feels Fuel Strain as Kazakhstan Prices Edge Higher - The Times Of Central Asia

Kazakhstan's fuel market is moving into a new phase after the end of the government freeze on AI-92 gasoline and diesel. Pump prices have risen by small

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