Kyrgyzstan

The new route to Europe will extend to Piraeus, Greece, from Khorgos, pictured here, on the Chinese border with Kazakhstan.
Politics

Caspian Sea is China's best bet for Belt and Road

Kazakhstan-to-Greece route aligns Beijing's land and maritime strategies

14 September 2017
The Rogun hydroelectric power station, being built 120km east of Dushanbe at the site shown here in 2006, is to feature the highest dam in the world.
Economy

Successful Tajikistan bond debut could encourage neighbors

Central Asian state raises $500 million for controversial dam

11 September 2017
Jargaltulga Erdenebat, then prime minister of Mongolia, at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in Russia on June 1.
Politics

IMF deal at root of Mongolian PM ousting

Agreeing to raise retirement age, cut child care eroded public support

9 September 2017
Batchuluun has earned a comfortable living from his herd of over 1,000 cashmere-producing goats in Mongolia’s Gobi Desert. (Photo by Tim Ferry)
Economy

Pasture degradation threatens Mongolia's cashmere industry

Sustainable goat farming campaign struggles amid creeping desertification

7 September 2017
Delegates at the fourth round of the Astana Peace Process on the Syrian conflict which met in May. (Courtesy Government of Kazakhstan)
Politics

Kazakh capital seeks center stage with Syria peace talks

Nazarbayev promotes Astana as venue for international negotiations

1 September 2017
Mounts for containers with uranium hexafluoride salt, raw material for nuclear reactors, are seen at the IAEA Low Enriched Uranium Bank, at the Ulba Metallurgical Plant in the northeastern industrial city of Oskemen, Kazakhstan.
Politics

Nuclear fuel bank readies for opening in Kazakhstan

IAEA-managed reserve meant to discourage spread of uranium enrichment

27 August 2017
Afghan soldiers man a security checkpoint outside the capital city of Kabul.
Politics

Trump implores South Asia to step up on Afghanistan

US president tells neighboring Pakistan to crack down on terrorist cells

23 August 2017
Batchuluun has earned a comfortable living from his herd of over 1,000 cashmere-producing goats in Mongolia’s Gobi Desert. (Photo by Tim Ferry)
Economy

Mongolian pasture degradation threatens cashmere industry

Sustainable goat farming campaign struggles amid desertification

5 August 2017
Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reopened direct train services from Tashkent’s central station, above, to Almaty in March. (Photo by Naubet Bisenov)
Economy

Uzbekistan opens door to Central Asian integration

End of isolationism eases regional transport issues, but obstacles remain

3 August 2017
Toyota Priuses like these at a dealership in Ulaanbaatar are held in high esteem in Mongolia because they need little fuel and for their ability to get through the country's harsh winters.
Business

Mongolians love their Prius hybrids

A secondhand model carries price tag of $2,000 to $6000

19 July 2017
Battulga Khaltmaa declares victory in Mongolia's presidential race at a press conference in Ulaanbaatar in early hours of Saturday. (Photo by Shunsuke Tabeta)
Politics

Mongolia's new president promises an economic shake-up

Battulga Khaltmaa looks to lessen the country's trade dependence on China

13 July 2017
New Mongolian President Battulga Khaltmaa delivered his inaugural address to the legislature Monday.
Politics

New Mongolian president promises pragmatic diplomacy

Former sumo champion eyed for advisory post after vital role in victory

11 July 2017
Dagvadorj during his days as sumo grand champion Asashoryu in 2008.
Politics

Ex-sumo champ wants to become bridge between Mongolia, Japan

Wrestler-turned-entrepreneur seeks stronger ties to counterbalance Russia, China

11 July 2017
Battulga Khaltmaa's election victory keeps the Mongolian presidency in opposition hands.
Politics

Mongolia's incoming President Battulga pledges economic balance

Former martial arts champ keeps presidency in opposition hands

10 July 2017
Battulga Khaltmaa declares victory in Mongolia's presidential race at a press conference in Ulaanbaatar in early hours of Saturday. (Photo by Shunsuke Tabeta)
Politics

Mongolian opposition leader Battulga declares victory in presidential runoff

Popular former martial artist and businessman elected to four-year term

8 July 2017
Campaign ads in Ulaanbaatar for Enkhbold Miyegombo, top, and for Battulga Khaltmaa.
Politics

Mongolians return to polls in runoff presidential vote

Results could be determined by 30% who voted for eliminated candidate

7 July 2017
Mongolian presidential candidates Battulga Khaltmaa, left, and Enkhbold Miyegombo (Photos by Shunsuke Tabeta)
Politics

Mongolian voters book a return trip to the polls

Lack of a clear presidential victor triggers a runoff

29 June 2017
The top billboard is a campaign ad for Miyegombo Enkhbold, while the bottom, for Khaltmaa Battulga, says "Mongolia wins."
Politics

Mongolian presidential election neck and neck

Corruption allegations dog front-runner as rival stokes patriotism

25 June 2017
A MIAT Mongolian Airlines Boeing 737 lands at Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport.
Opinion

Mongolia must open up to avoid aviation embarrassment

New showcase international airport will go to waste without competition

18 June 2017
A car drives along a road in the Altyn-Emel national park in Almaty region, Kazakhstan.
Economy

Infrastructure boom offers fresh start on Asian road safety

Human and economic toll 'staggering' in low and middle-income countries

17 June 2017
A U.S. Air Force missile maintenance team removes the upper section of an intercontinental ballistic missile with a nuclear warhead at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana.
Politics

UN launches second round of nuclear ban talks

Proponents hopeful for final text of treaty by early July

16 June 2017
Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank President Jin Liqun says membership could grow to 85 or 90 within the year.
Economy

AIIB future rests on shedding Beijing influence

Bank to hold 2nd annual meeting in South Korea

15 June 2017
Mongolian Foreign Minister Tsend Munkh-Orgil fields interview questions in Tokyo on June 5. (Photo by Mayasuki Kozono)
Economy

Mongolia's Munkh-Orgil: Middle-class surge will change everything

Foreign minister says globalization is 'unstoppable' despite protectionism

15 June 2017
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, far left, and his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sarif, far right, pose with other leaders at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Astana on June 9. (Pool)
Economy

The SCO welcomes rivals into its fold

Membership for India and Pakistan raises bloc's profile, but may invite friction

15 June 2017
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, far left, and his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sarif, far right, pose with other leaders at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Astana on June 9. (Pool)
Economy

The SCO welcomes rivals into its fold

Membership for India and Pakistan raises bloc's profile, but may invite friction

14 June 2017