News Digest
| Media Digest | Aug 18, 2020 |
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| Biweekly CAW Media Digest. | |
| Debate continues to swirl around Central Asian participation in the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union, and Tajikistan remains highly dependent on Uzbekistan's status. If their more populated and economically developed neighbor does decide on transitioning from observer status to member status, then Tajikistan would be left out in regards to regionally negotiated customs and labor policy. | |
| With perhaps 40% of foreign labor migrants losing their jobs in Russia due to the pandemic, Kazakhstan has agreed to open its borders to allow Kyrgyz and Uzbek workers to transit home. This surprise move came after reports of extended clashes between migrants and Russian security forces along the border with Kazakhstan. | |
| Kyrgyzstan officials have recently demanded an explanation from Belarus regarding the appearance of former Kyrgyz prime minister and wanted criminal Daniyar Usenov alongside Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko. Former Kyrgyz president Kurmanbek Bakiyev is also known to have taken refuge in Belarus after being ousted from power. | |
| The third installment of the Eurasianet Eurasian Economic Union spotlight, with this section focusing on road maps for the future and the continued wrangling over intra-union protectionism. | |
| Central Asian public opinion of China and its crackdown on Muslim minorities has not led to a change of tact from Chinese diplomacy in the region. On the contrary, the pressures of the pandemic seem to be drawing even more combative Chinese statements and attempts to impose censorship beyond its borders. The silence of Central Asian governments in response has only exacerbated tensions with activists and growing numbers of Central Asians who feel their sovereignty is being infringed upon. | |
| This piece discusses the primacy of Kazakhstan in discussing a new regional Great Game - a game which is increasingly multi-polar and fractured. Smaller states like Kazakhstan increasingly have the economic and diplomatic power to attempt to influence neighbors and achieve objectives. | |
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The Central Asian Watch (CAW) Project monitors economic, social, and political developments in Central Asia. The data generated by the Project is made freely available to the research community (view the data now under the "Data" tab). Please credit us when using our products and data.
