Turkmenistan

People cast their ballots in the presidential election in Kyrgyzstan Oct. 15. This was the first instance of a non-violent, democratic transfer of power in the country.
International relations

Bloodless Kyrgyz presidential election has China and Russia smiling

First elections untainted by violence or foreign interference

21 October 2017
SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son, left, celebrates with top executives of Chinese, South Korean and Russian electric utilities with which the Japanese conglomerate has teamed up for its mammoth power grid project.
Economy

Asia Super Grid: SoftBank's latest dream stretches over 6 countries

Multinational power transmission project begins in Mongolia

13 October 2017
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12 October 2017
Central banks, particularly those vulnerable to currency volatility or economic pressure from the U.S., have been heavy buyers of gold in recent years.
Currencies

Central banks hedging against geopolitical risk with gold

Large stashes are a handy weapon against currency jitters and US pressure

11 October 2017
State-owned Kazatomprom is the world's largest uranium producer.
Opinion

Kazakhstan must do more to convince foreign investors

Privatization drive confronts wariness about state intentions

10 October 2017
Business and consumer confidence has improved in many countries, but investment demand is still lagging.
Economy

Economic breathing space is an opportunity to strengthen resilience

Tougher reforms needed to kick growth into higher gear

8 October 2017
Mongolia's legislature confirmed Khurelsukh Ukhnaa as the new prime minister.
Politics

Mongolia ushers in new prime minister

Attention turns to possible shift in North Korea stance

5 October 2017
A cargo ship is seen docked at a port in Lianyungang on January 13, 2016. The city in China's Jiangsu Province is to be the starting point of a new rail service that will carry goods to Europe.
Politics

Nippon Express climbs aboard China's Belt and Road Initiative

New service to carry goods from port along East China Sea to Europe

30 September 2017
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Opinion

Emerging Asia investors may finally be turning more cautious

Korean tensions and US monetary policy recognized as prime 'tail risks'

28 September 2017
The new route to Europe will extend to Piraeus, Greece, from Khorgos, pictured here, on the Chinese border with Kazakhstan.
Politics

Tristan Kenderdine: The Caspian Sea is the best bet for China's Belt and Road

Route would help Beijing balance its land and maritime strategies

28 September 2017
Students learn electric circuit design at a Kosen vocational school affiliated with the Mongolian University of Science and Technology.
International relations

Thailand and Mongolia embracing Japanese 'Kosen' schools

One hopes to avoid middle-income trap; other seeks modernization

27 September 2017
China's better than expected economic expansion will buoy Asia's growth in 2017.
Economy

Global trade, China will buoy Asia's growth to 5.8% in 2018

ADB says latest outlook for the region is 'heartening'

26 September 2017
The shiny and expensive architecture of downtown Astana, capital of Kazakhstan, is part of the legacy of autocratic President Nursultan Nazarbayev.
Economy

Kazakh pension scandals stir criticism of government

Corruption allegations undermine Astana's modernizing self-image

21 September 2017
Until now, Uzbeks preferred not to change money at banks because of unattractive official exchange rates. (Photo by Ikrom Nosirov)
Economy

Drastic Uzbek devaluation whets appetite for wider reform

Observers hopeful move may signal growing confidence of new president

14 September 2017
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