The Times of Central Asia

Kazakhstan’s Halyk Bank buys 49% of Uzbekistan’s Click for $176M in a landmark fintech deal. The move signals deeper regional integration and a major bet on Uzbekistan’s booming digital economy. Read more about this developing story from @joelucbarnes.

Semey (formerly Semipalatinsk), in eastern Kazakhstan, carries a powerful dual legacy: it was once the place of exile for renowned Russian writer Fyodor Dostoevsky and, decades later, a center for Soviet nuclear testing. timesca.com/exile-and-empi…

The new U.S. tariff on Kazakhstan is less about trade and more about strategy. Astana now faces the challenge of responding to shifting global signals while protecting its diplomatic balance. Read our latest from @RobertMCutler.

"Uzbekistan day" on Capitol Hill drew U.S. lawmakers, diplomats, and business leaders, highlighting growing ties, support for reforms, and a shared push to deepen economic and political cooperation. (@UZEmbassyDC)

New Russian rules now require FSB approval for foreign vessels, halting over 80 % of Kazakhstan’s Black Sea oil exports via Novorossiysk and Yuzhnaya Ozerovka and exposing critical transit vulnerabilities.

China is rapidly expanding its influence in Central Asia, filling the void left by Russia and the U.S. Through infrastructure, trade, and soft power, Beijing is positioning itself as the region’s key partner.

Tajikistan has escalated deportations of Afghan refugees, raising concerns from UNHCR and rights groups. As Afghans face detention and forced return, many fear for their safety amid worsening conditions. Read our latest from @BrucePannier.

Rising military activity in the Caspian signals shifting regional dynamics. As new alliances take shape, the sea is emerging as a strategic zone with broader geopolitical implications.

Tajikistan’s reliance on labor migration sustains the economy but fractures families. As many fathers work abroad, children grow up fast, often without proper care. Support services exist, but far more is needed.

Breaking: @halykbank_kz acquires 49% of @clickuz for $176.4 million. A further step towards regional financial integration in Central Asia. My hot take for @thetimesoca timesca.com/halyk-bank-buy…

Exciting progress in fostering regional cooperation and unity in Asia.

The emergence of Kazakhstan's tennis champions, Alexander Bublik and Elena Rybakina, and others raises the question: what is fueling these tennis breakthroughs?

Kazakhstan’s “We Are Together” charity fund faces scandal as its director stands trial for embezzling billions of tenge. The case has raised questions about political ties, oversight, and donor trust.

Mongolia deepens Central Asia ties with visits to Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, signaling regional interest, shared history, and a push for economic and diplomatic integration beyond China and Russia.

Azerbaijan plans to bring the December 2024 plane crash case to international courts, complementing the ongoing Kazakh-led inquiry, as it continues efforts to seek answers and accountability.

As conflict overshadows diplomacy, global faith leaders will meet in Astana this September to call for peace, dialogue, and moral clarity. The Congress aims to reclaim empathy in a fractured world.

Kazakhstan’s Health Minister urges an end to violence against medical workers after two brutal attacks. With doctors injured and services disrupted, the government plans tougher laws and tighter hospital security.

As Russian aviation faces growing challenges under sanctions, Central Asian countries are expanding their air networks and establishing a regional regulatory body, signaling greater independence and cooperation.

Central Asian states are investing in Afghan railways to open routes to the Arabian Sea, seeing Afghanistan as a vital transit link despite the Taliban’s controversial rule. Read our latest from @nikola_mikovic.

Read our interview with Yuri Polishchuk, President of the Asian Tennis Federation and Vice President of the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation. Strategic investment, public-private partnerships, and a grassroots approach have fundamentally reshaped the country’s tennis landscape.