Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Temur Umarov @tumarov.bsky.social · 1d

The current US administration is the easiest one so far for Central Asia to work with. Business interests can be used to attract attention & there's no need for demonstrative distancing from Russia or commitment to democratic reforms. @ceip-politika.bsky.social carnegieendowment.org/russia-euras...

Why Is Central Asia Buying Trump’s Attention?

The current U.S. administration is the easiest one so far for Central Asia to work with. Business interests can be used to attract Washington’s attention, and there is no longer any need for demonstra...

carnegieendowment.org

4 6

Reposted by Temur Umarov

Carnegie Politika @ceip-politika.bsky.social · Sep 11

While the West is using customs duties to try to head off an influx of Chinese electric cars, the countries of Central Asia are doing everything they can to welcome them. Temur Umarov and Roman Vakulchuk assess the consequences for the region: carnegieendowment.org/russia-euras...

China Has Flooded Central Asia With Electric Cars—the Impact Will Be Long-Lasting

By entering this new stage of development of the automotive industry via Chinese electric cars, Central Asia will eventually be forced to adopt Chinese standards for the industry’s development, integr...

carnegieendowment.org

2 2

Reposted by Temur Umarov

Carnegie Politika @ceip-politika.bsky.social · 19d

Negotiations over the Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline are bogged down in discussions over price, flexibility, and timeframe—and Russia’s lack of alternative buyers means China can take its time, argues Sergey Vakulenko: carnegieendowment.org/russia-euras...

Why Can’t Russia and China Agree on the Power of Siberia 2 Gas Pipeline?

Negotiations are bogged down in discussions over price, flexibility, and timeframe—and Russia’s lack of alternative buyers means China can take its time.

carnegieendowment.org

2 3

Reposted by Temur Umarov

Carnegie Politika @ceip-politika.bsky.social · 18d

Water shortages in Central Asia will worsen significantly when Afghanistan completes a canal diverting substantial volumes of water from the Amu Darya River. And it could escalate regional tensions, writes Galiya Ibragimova. carnegieendowment.org/russia-euras...

Afghanistan’s Qosh Tepa Canal Could Trigger a Central Asian Water Crisis

The ambitious irrigation project is becoming a source of growing tension in Central Asia, but none of the region’s countries have been able to come up with an alternative solution.

carnegieendowment.org

2 1

Reposted by Temur Umarov

Carnegie Politika @ceip-politika.bsky.social · 4d

Moscow’s anti-immigrant campaign at home is proving increasingly costly abroad. For the first time in years, Central Asian countries are reassessing their relations with Moscow, writes Galiya Ibragimova: carnegieendowment.org/russia-euras...

Moscow’s Xenophobic Migration Policy Is Impacting Relations With Central Asia

By stirring up anti-migrant sentiment to distract Russian society from the war in Ukraine, Moscow is alienating its allies in Central Asia. Following Azerbaijan’s example, Central Asian countries are ...

carnegieendowment.org

2 4

Reposted by Temur Umarov

Carnegie Politika @ceip-politika.bsky.social · 3d

Why is Beijing opening a flurry of technical training centers known as Luban Workshops in Central Asia, and what is their significance? Edward Lemon and Bradley Jardine explain.

China Is Using Vocational Training Centers to Rebuild Its Image in Central Asia

In Central Asia, Beijing is learning to adapt. The era of raw economic assertiveness is giving way to a more nuanced strategy that fuses investment with education, infrastructure with human capital, a...

carnegieendowment.org

2 3

Reposted by Temur Umarov

Yan Matusevich @ymatusik.bsky.social · 9d

Props to @tumarov.bsky.social for very skillfully describing the cult of raw power being created by Tashiev, the Sopranos-esque head of Kyrgyzstan’s rapidly expanding security services

youtu.be/cQeb5cdHs1I?...

Могу и «отлупить»: культ силы Ташиева

YouTube video by Kloop на русском

youtu.be

3 6

Temur Umarov @tumarov.bsky.social · Jun 25

Beyond the much-discussed trade figures, new projects, & investments, the China+Central Asia summit holds another dimension. W/ @peterleonard1.bsky.social @capsunlock.bsky.social we delved into the visibility of local agency operating behind the scenes:

pod.link/1781868199

1

Reposted by Temur Umarov

Giulia Sciorati 施朱丽 @giuliasciorati.bsky.social · Jun 21

Grateful to Lim Min Zhang for quoting me in @thestraitstimes.bsky.social on the #China–#CentralAsia summit!

We discussed forum diplomacy, public opinion, and elite–society divides.

Always a pleasure to be quoted with @tumarov.bsky.social.

www.straitstimes.com/opinion/chin...

China is winning over Central Asia – but its growing influence could fuel a backlash

Beijing has made vast inroads while Russia and the US are distracted, but must play the long game. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

www.straitstimes.com

1 1

Reposted by Temur Umarov

Yan Matusevich @ymatusik.bsky.social · Jun 12

Great interview by @tumarov.bsky.social where he meticulously outlines the rapid authoritarian consolidation underway in Kyrgyzstan.

Japarov is very diligently speed-running his way to authoritarianism in attempt to catch up with neighboring states

storage.googleapis.com/qurium/kloop...

«Учебник автократа». Темур Умаров — о том, как из Кыргызстана делают диктатуру

Президент Кыргызстана ускоренными темпами превращает страну в классический авторитарный режим — с подавлением СМИ, зачисткой оппозиции, устрашением элит и культом «своего парня у власти». Эксперт по Ц...

storage.googleapis.com

2 3 4

Temur Umarov @tumarov.bsky.social · Jun 3

For the first time since the collapse of the Soviet Union, none of the five Central Asian governments have any grievances against one another.

Had a great conversation on Central Asia with LRT: www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-e...

Expert: Russia and China will not clash in Central Asia – interview

A notable shift is taking place among the five Central Asian countries — instead of clashing, they are working to consol...

www.lrt.lt

1 7

Temur Umarov @tumarov.bsky.social · May 27

It was an honor to be the guest of the final episode of THE podcast on Central Asia, the Majlis Podcast, hosted by the one&only @pannierb.bsky.social. Together w/ Bakyt Beshimov & @nargiskassenova.bsky.social, we've discussed Central Asia's position in global politics: www.rferl.org/a/majlis-rus...

Central Asia's New Position In Global Politics

A lot has changed in Central Asia in the more than three years since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. As countries in the region seek to loosen Moscow and Beijing's grip on the region, how far...

www.rferl.org

2 3 5

Temur Umarov @tumarov.bsky.social · May 8

Had a great conversation with Agnieszka Pikulicka-Wilczewska for her new media Turan Tales on China-Central Asia:

Subscribe to her podcast on any platform you use: plinkhq.com/i/1799753984...

3

Reposted by Temur Umarov

Internationale Politik Quarterly @ipq.bsky.social · Apr 24

From our spring issue: @tumarov.bsky.social on the de-risking dilemma.

ip-quarterly.com/en/de-riskin...

5 12

Reposted by Temur Umarov

Yan Matusevich @ymatusik.bsky.social · Apr 22

Kyrgyzstan arrests four people in the city of Osh for allegedly recruiting mercenaries to fight for Russia in Ukraine. Among those arrested is a representative of the Russian House in Osh and a member of the mayor’s communications team

www.currenttime.tv/a/kyrgyzstan...

Сотрудницу Русского дома в Кыргызстане и еще троих человек арестовали по делу о вербовке наемников в армию РФ

В Кыргызстане задержали четырех человек по делу о вербовке наемников. Об этом сообщает кыргызская служба Радио Свобода/Азаттык. Пресс-служба Первомайского районного суда Бишкека в пресс-релизах указал...

www.currenttime.tv

1 5 16

Temur Umarov @tumarov.bsky.social · Apr 17

The Central Asia gang in the Hague ☀️
@irnahofman.bsky.social
@plovism.bsky.social

1 6

Temur Umarov @tumarov.bsky.social · Apr 10

Future problems cannot be ruled out, but for the first time since the Soviet collapse, none of the five Central Asian governments have any political grievances against each other.

Why now and what's next for Central Asia:
carnegieendowment.org/russia-euras...

Central Asian States Have Put Aside Their Territorial Disputes. Why Now?

Future problems cannot be ruled out, but for the first time since the Soviet collapse, none of the five Central Asian governments have any political grievances against each other.

carnegieendowment.org

2 4

Reposted by Temur Umarov

Carnegie Politika @ceip-politika.bsky.social · Apr 10

“For the first time since the Soviet collapse, none of the five Central Asian governments have any political grievances against each other.“

@tumarov.bsky.social and Alibek Mukambayev on the landmark agreements to resolve border disputes in Central Asia: carnegieendowment.org/russia-euras...

Central Asian States Have Put Aside Their Territorial Disputes. Why Now?

Future problems cannot be ruled out, but for the first time since the Soviet collapse, none of the five Central Asian governments have any political grievances against each other.

carnegieendowment.org

1 4

Reposted by Temur Umarov

The Moscow Times @themoscowtimes.com · Apr 8

#OpEd Apart from the economic obstacles facing the U.S. plan, Russia is extremely unlikely to want to contain China — they have too much in common, writes @tumarov.bsky.social.

Can Trump Channel Nixon to Turn Russia Against China?

Apart from the economic obstacles facing the U.S. plan, Russia is extremely unlikely to want to contain China—they have too much in common.

carnegieendowment.org

2 6 12

Temur Umarov @tumarov.bsky.social · Apr 5

Central Asia’s “frankly bonkers” March heatwave, which saw temperatures up to 10C above pre-industrial levels, was intensified by climate change, according to new research published as countries around the world suffer exceptional spring weather.
www.ft.com/content/164a...

10 7

Temur Umarov @tumarov.bsky.social · Apr 3

In my hometown, Samarkand, the EU & Central Asian countries have kicked off their 1st-ever high-level summit as the bloc eyes new trade & infrastructure investments while aiming to significantly elevate Brussels’ ties w/ the region.

www.rferl.org/a/eu-central...

3

Temur Umarov @tumarov.bsky.social · Mar 27

If you missed our conversation about China's investment strategy in Central Asia with Nargiza Murataliyeva, Pan Yanliang, and Yunis Sharifli, you can watch the recording on
@carnegieendowment.org's YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/live/vWZVWAm...

3

Temur Umarov @tumarov.bsky.social · Mar 26

It’s difficult enough for Europe to find the right response to the ever-closer Russia-China relationship. The apparent US attempt to split Moscow from Beijing is making matters worse.

My latest for @ipq.bsky.social
ip-quarterly.com/en/de-riskin...

De-Risking Dilemma

It’s difficult enough for Europe to find the right response to the ever-closer Russia-China relationship. The apparent US attempt to split Moscow from Beijing is making matters worse.

ip-quarterly.com

1 3

Reposted by Temur Umarov

Internationale Politik Quarterly @ipq.bsky.social · Mar 26

OUT TODAY: Our spring issue, The China Factor, featuring:
@ivadica.bsky.social
@henninghoff.bsky.social
@tumarov.bsky.social
@josephdeweck.bsky.social
@rebeccawire.bsky.social
@noahbarkin.bsky.social
@ayaadachi.bsky.social
@ljohnson.bsky.social
and more!

ip-quarterly.com/en/spring-20...

Spring 2025 Issue: The China Factor

The 19th issue of INTERNATIONALE POLITIK QUARTERLY focuses on EU-China relations in the shadow of the second Trump administration.

ip-quarterly.com

1 5 9

Temur Umarov @tumarov.bsky.social · Mar 22

Moscow doesn't want to be seen as sacrificing its relationship w/ China for the sake of being closer to the US. For Moscow, this relationship is a strategic interest, & there are many reasons why it's just unimaginable for Russia to turn its back on China kyivindependent.com/match-made-i...

Why Trump’s Ukraine plan will fail to drive a wedge between Russia, China

It's no secret that U.S. officials have been trying to drive a wedge between Russia and its key ally, China. Former United States Special Envoy for Ukraine and Russia Keith Kellogg was among the gove...

kyivindependent.com

2 8