Politics

Kairat Umarov serves as Kazakhstan's ambassador to the United Nations.
International relations

Former nuclear power Kazakhstan shares lessons for North Korea

UN ambassador highlights benefits of denuclearization, harm suffered by testing

30 January 2018
Indonesian President Joko Widodo, who has expressed his country's willingness to host a meeting between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
International relations

Widodo cements Muslim credentials during South Asia tour

Indonesian president turns away from insular policy and strives for world leadership

29 January 2018
A boy sells umbrellas printed with Pakistan's flag at a market in Karachi last July. Safety in the city has improved dramatically.
Economy

Pakistan keeps terrorists on the run and economy on a roll

Businesses' focus shifts from bombs and kidnappings to taxes and policy

19 January 2018
Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev speaks at the Security Council meeting.
International relations

Kazakhstan calls on North Korea to follow lead on nuclear weapons

Nazarbayev touts experience of renouncing arms at Security Council meeting

19 January 2018
FNSS, a joint venture between Turkey's Nurol Holding and the U.K.'s BAE Systems, unveiled a medium-weight tank co-developed with Indonesia’s PT Pindad during the Istanbul Defense Industry Fair in Istanbul in May 2017. (Photo by Sinan Tavsan)
International relations

Turkey steps up arms sales to South and Southeast Asia

Ankara seeks to diversify as tensions rise in traditional Middle East markets

12 January 2018
Presidents of Eurasian Economic Union member countries attend a news conference after a meeting in Moscow
Politics

Smuggled Chinese goods fuel tensions in Russia-led Asian bloc

International observers to monitor Kazakh-Kyrgyz border to address spat

15 December 2017
A worker shovels wheat in Kazakhstan's Akmola region. The country aims to develop its agriculture with China.
Asia Insight

China's Belt and Road sparks a battle of the breadbaskets

New infrastructure helps ex-Soviet grain exporters reach Asian markets

30 November 2017
The planned missile is seen being equipped on the cutting-edge F-35 stealth fighter used by Japan's Air Self-Defense Force. (Courtesy of ASDF)
International relations

Japan and UK to collaborate on missile development

Tokyo's first non-US partnership would develop an air-to-air weapon

24 November 2017
Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev speaks in Russia April 5, 2017.
Politics

Uzbek push for stronger ties may change face of Central Asia

Big diplomatic shift after past isolationism welcomed by region, world

23 November 2017
Teachers on strike at a school in Ulaanbaatar: The sign reads "Salary equal to our work." (Photo by Ochir Khaidui)
Economy

Mongolian teachers strike puts government in a bind

Constrained by IMF bailout, cabinet resists call for nearly 150% pay hike

14 November 2017
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev,far right, joins Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, next in front row, at the opening ceremony for the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway in Baku on Oct. 30.
Economy

'Iron silk road' threatens to sidetrack Russia

Trilateral rail project offers southern route for China's Belt and Road initiative

31 October 2017
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
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
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
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
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
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
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