Uzbekistan's Karimov Marks 20 Years Of Iron-Fisted Rule 

In 1989, Islam Karimov was named first secretary of the Communist Party of the Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic. He has remained in power ever since, transitioning to become the president of independent Uzbekistan in 1991. His notoriously repressive regime has left its mark not only on his country but on Central Asia overall. More

'Beast Of The East' Appears To Have Lost Its Teeth 

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization has sought to promote itself as a "rising beast in the East" and an Asian counter to NATO. But for all the experience under its belt, the SCO -- which formally gathers Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan -- is looking less formidable than usual. More

Taliban Threat -- Real Or Useful Fear Mongering? 

As Central Asian leaders have increasingly sounded the alarm of the security threat posed by foreign militants, a familiar name has entered the argument -- the Taliban. Is the threat of the Taliban real, or merely fear mongering? More

New Era As Gas Giant's Profits Plummet 

A year ago, Gazprom was sitting on top of the world, but the fortunes of Russia's state gas company have taken a dramatic turn for the worse. While the company still ranks among the world's most valuable, it's worth less than half what it was in 2008, and a number of problems lurk on the horizon. More

Turkmen, Uzbek Eyes Stray Toward Brussels 

Boasting huge hydrocarbon reserves, Central Asia has become accustomed to the stream of foreign companies and politicians who visit hoping to lock up energy deals. For the most part, European representatives have returned home empty-handed. But with Central Asian states seeking to break Russia's dominance of their energy-export routes, they are hitting the road to court the EU. More