Eurasianet

ISKP attack in Kabul punches holes in Taliban regime’s claims A partner post from the Central Asia Caucasus Institute.

A attack earlier this year by the Islamic State of #Khorasan Province (ISKP) on a #Chinese restaurant in a supposedly secure district in the #Afghan capital, Kabul, is a setback for the #Taliban regime.

Toward new political model: Kazakhstan’s constitutional referendum A Eurasianet commentary.

#Kazakhstan will hold a referendum on March 15 on the adoption of a new constitution. More than a technical legal reform, the vote represents a test of the country’s institutions, political culture, and societal readiness for gradual transformation.

Iranian envoy has words of caution for Armenia Caucasus-Central Asia weekly roundup.

At a March 2 news conference in #Yerevan, Khalil Shirgholami, the Iranian envoy to Armenia, cautioned that the #US-Israeli attack on Iran can heighten the chances of renewed instability in the Caucasus.

Largely overlooked because of the burgeoning conflict in the Middle East, “open war” has erupted between Pakistan and #Afghanistan’s Taliban leadership. The fighting all along its southern rim represents a major setback for Central Asia’s global trade agenda.

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European agricultural producers eyeing outposts in Kazakhstan China-Central Asia Monitor: Feb. 20-28, 2026.

#European agricultural products companies are reportedly considering setting up operations in #Kazakhstan to facilitate more efficient trade with #China.

US-Israeli strikes against Iran can cause plenty of collateral damage to Russia Disruption to North-South corridor could prove beneficial for Ukraine.

#Russia is worried that the #US-Israeli air campaign against #Iran will result in significant disruption to the North-South trade network, a key conduit used by the Kremlin to keep its war effort in #Ukraine going.

Armenia and Azerbaijan grapple with potential fallout from blitz on Iran Yerevan and Baku aiming to stay out of fray, protect economic interests.

#Armenia and #Azerbaijan are on edge, worried that #TRIPP potentially could be upended by the US-Israeli attack on Iran.

Movement without memory: Tracing rise and fall of Georgian civil society A Eurasianet commentary.

#Georgian story is not one of passivity. It is one of motion without consolidation, of courage without sustained deliberation, of repeated beginnings without shared conclusions.

Tactical agreement proving elusive for Central Asian states grappling with water deficit Upstream-downstream divide difficult to bridge.

#CentralAsian states increasingly acknowledge a need to change the way they manage their rapidly dwindling water resources.

Russian religious networks and Armenia’s church-state confrontation A partner post from the Caucasus-Central Asia Institute.

Escalating tensions between the #Armenian government and senior figures within the Armenian Apostolic Church are more than a domestic institutional dispute.

Calm is prevailing in #Kyrgyzstan following President Sadyr Japarov’s power play earlier in February, when he purged his erstwhile right-hand man and his allies.

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Kazakhstan managing uncertainty over oil exports Vital revenue stream for Astana facing near- and longer-term challenges.

With the #Russian-Ukraine war entering its fifth year, #Kazakhstan is grappling with lots of uncertainty concerning oil exports, a critical revenue stream for #Astana.

Georgian Dream has succeeded in hijacking #Georgian democracy over the past two years. Now, the ruling party in Tbilisi wants to compel citizens to acknowledge its rule as legitimate.

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Turkmen leader acknowledges meeting with “prominent politicians” during Florida visit Caucasus-Central Asia Weekly Roundup.

It seems #Turkmenistan’s paramount leader Gurbanguly #Berdymukhamedov mixed pleasure with business during his recent three-day foray to #Florida that concluded February 18.

Uzbekistan looks West for help in developing entrepreneurial spirit Fostering individual initiative seen as means of mitigating job-creation challenges.

#Uzbekistan is engaging leading Western academic institutions, including Harvard, Stanford and the London School of Economics, to develop youth entrepreneurship programs in the Central Asian country.

The Winter Olympics are over. But Mikhail Shaidorov’s shocking gold-medal-winning figure skating performance continues to fuel feelings of joy in #Kazakhstan, while showcasing a growing figure skating community in the #CentralAsian country.

🔗 eurasianet.org/kazakhstan-c...

Trade data gaps between China and Central Asian states point to pervasive smuggling China-Central Asia Monitor: Feb. 13-19, 2026.

A review of data compiled by #Chinese, #Kazakh and #Kyrgyz government agencies reveal large discrepancies in trade volume, raising questions about widespread smuggling and sanctions-busting.

Turkmen leader’s visit to United States remains shrouded in mystery Did Mar-a-Lago meeting occur? If yes, what was discussed?

#Turkmenistan’s paramount leader Gurbanguly #Berdymukhamedov is back in #Ashgabat on February 20 following a below-the-radar visit to the United States that may have included a visit to Mar-a-Lago, President’s #Trump’s compound-cum-private club in Palm Beach, Florida.

Azerbaijan to build Baku tram system Infrastructure improvements aim to reduce auto congestion and pollution.

#Baku enjoys the unwanted distinction of having some of the worst traffic congestion of any major city in #Eurasia. Now #Azerbaijani authorities are finally taking steps to address the issue, announcing an intent to develop a tram system.

#Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, in #Washington on February 18, presided over the signing of a series of agreements laying the foundation for expanded and systematic economic cooperation with the #UnitedStates.

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Kyrgyzstan: Driving school overhaul sparks debate over state control and dissent Japarov administration taking unique approach to improving road safety.

The arrest of a private driving school director in #Bishkek has turned what authorities describe as a road-safety reform initiative into a broader debate over state control, corruption and the limits of public criticism in #Kyrgyzstan.

Read #Caucasus- #CentralAsia Roundup

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Russia’s offer to build a small nuclear reactor in Kyrgyzstan and its implications A partner post from the Central Asia Caucasus Institute.

In late 2025, during his visit to #Kyrgyzstan, Vladimir #Putin declared Russia’s readiness to build a small modular nuclear power reactor (SMR) in Kyrgyzstan, thereby signaling Moscow’s intention to move beyond traditional trade relations toward projects in long-term strategic infrastructure.

Data shows US dollar holding firm against Chinese yuan in Central Asia Greenback still go-to currency.

Statistics published by #Kazakhstan’s National Bank are putting to rest frequent media reports that the Chinese yuan is gaining steam against the #US dollar.

EU weighs sanctions on Georgia’s Kulevi port over suspected Russian oil links Baku not thrilled with possibility of penalties.

#Georgia’s Black Sea port of #Kulevi, a hub for Black Sea oil shipments, may soon face #EuropeanUnion #sanctions over allegations that the Georgian government has used it to help Russia move crude needed to finance its war in Ukraine.

Tajikistan: Rahmon resurfaces, looking relatively fit Did he disappear just to get some sun?

After a more-than-two-week absence from public view that raised concerns about whether he was alive or dead, #Tajik leader Emomali Rahmon has reappeared.

Kyrgyzstan: Surprise sacking of president’s right-hand man undoes delicate political balance Next presidential election apparent catalyst for power play.

For the past five-plus years, they had been known as the “two friends” who ran #Kyrgyzstan. Then, on February 10, they were friends no more.

US-Armenian nuclear deal has Russia pressing panic button Kremlin dangling all sorts of carrots to Yerevan.

During the Cold War, the #Kremlin worried about the threat posed by American #nuclear missiles. Now, #Russian leaders seem panicked at the thought of an American nuclear reactor at their doorstep.

Just a few months after floating limited parliamentary reforms and less than a month after a constitutional commission voted to scrape the existing constitution, President #Tokayev announced that the #Kazakhstan will vote on the new document in a March 15 referendum

🔗 eurasianet.org/tokayev-plan...

US-Azerbaijan sign Charter on Strategic Partnership Establishing broad foundation for economic cooperation.

Vice President JD Vance’s visit to #Armenia and #Azerbaijan succeeded in widening the scope of US economic engagement with the two South #Caucasus nations.