Policy Shift in Baku: Direct Bilateral Talks Urged Amid EU-US Mediation Frustration
23 November 2023
Onnik James Krikorian
Featured
Azerbaijan Welcomes the Latest International Court of Justice Ruling on Karabakh
Mark Elliott
How Capitalism Further Enforces the Slavery and Oppression of Uyghurs in Xinjiang
Leila Mekhdi
Living In the Limelight: Can Central Asia Sustain Surge of Newfound Diplomatic Activity Without Russia?
Chris Rickleton, RFE/RL
Europalia 2023: Cultural Diplomacy Strengthens Ties Through Art and Music
Onnik James Krikorian
Short videos
Stories
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Saiga Steaks: Kazakhstan to Cull Thousands of Once-Endangered Antelope as Numbers Rebound
Due to the once-endangered saiga antelope population increasing tenfold, the Kazakh government plans to cull 337,000 to protect farmers from agricultural damage caused by the animal’s grazing habits.
Farangis Najibullah, RFE/RL
“In my life, nothing has worked out as easily as painting artworks and selling them”—Story of Aziya, a Kyrgyz-Kazakh Artist in Prague
Her works are full of life and colours. Her characters—as she calls the people depicted in her artworks—are full of stories hidden in their faces. The eclectic style of her works, which is so beloved by contemporary art connoisseurs and admirers, makes you study each painting with peculiar attention to detail. Her name is Aziya, a Kyrgyz-Kazakh artist living in Prague, Czech Republic. Although coming from a family of artists, it was only three years ago when Aziya allowed herself to dive deep into the world of art by becoming a full-time artist. Now, her works are being sold for thousands of dollars, and her exhibitions are being held in the greatest art capitals of the world.
Leila Mekhdi
Assel Baimukanova is Saving the Caspian Seals in the Age of Climate Change
Growing up, Assel Baimukanova saw her father, a marine biologist Mirgaliy Baimukanov, monitoring Markakol lenoks, a species of fish that can only be found in the Markakol Lake in Kazakhstan. She wanted to follow in his footsteps. He, however, wasn’t so keen on it. “Why do you need to be digging in the cold all your life?” Now she is 32, and despite getting her degree in philology as her father wanted, she spent over ten years in the marine biology field working alongside her father and her hydrobiologist sister.
Leila Mekhdi
Culture
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Armenians and Azerbaijanis Dance Under One Sky in Georgian Village
On 18 November, the inaugural multicultural festival ‘Under One Sky’ took place in the Georgian village of Khojorni, celebrating the co-habitation of its Azerbaijani and Armenian population.
Onnik James Krikorian
Caspian data
Politics & Economy
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Policy Shift in Baku: Direct Bilateral Talks Urged Amid EU-US Mediation Frustration
After negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan through various facilitated or mediated foreign platforms faltered, Baku has invited Yerevan to meet on the shared border between the two neighbouring countries for unmediated bilateral talks.
Onnik James Krikorian
European Commission Greenlights EU Candidacy for Georgia
The European Commission has recommended that the EU grant Georgia candidate status, paving the way for the bloc to begin the country’s accession process at the EU Council meeting later in December.
Shota Kincha
Russia's Powerful Economic Levers Over Armenia
As political relations deteriorate, Armenia's economy is more closely linked to Russia than ever.
Arshaluis Mgdesyan
Round Six in Brussels: Modest Progress on Karabakh… then Russia Throws a Curved Ball
While Aliyev and Pashinyan’s latest Brussels meeting marked a fairly unremarkable continuation of their slow, steady progress towards an eventual peace treaty, Moscow’s reaction was an unexpected change of posture regarding their on-the-ground peacekeepers.
Pro-war Russian Star’s Concerts Cancelled in Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan
Leps claims he has paid out bounties to Russian troops for destroying Ukrainian tanks
Climate Heroes of Doom Jump on Unique Caspian Sea Level Phenomenon
The continuing rise and fall of the water surface of the Caspian Sea has puzzled scientists and worried fishermen and tourist operators for centuries. Now, prophets of doom and gloom predict a point of no return, indicating that the Caspian Sea could be threatened by the same fate choking its counterpart to the east, the Aral Sea.
Soviet Modernist Architecture in Almaty
What do you think of when you hear “Soviet architecture”? Gray building blocks? Emblems of arms and hammers? Lack of individuality? All are correct. Yet today, we take a look at when Soviet architecture produced something beyond its cliche buildings and explored different shapes, creating the style of Soviet Modernism.
Moscow Faces Increased Difficulties in Countering Circassian National Movement
Despite increased resistance from Russia, the Circassians annual demonstrations went ahead on 21 May.
Russian Recruiters 'More Assertive' Toward Central Asian Migrants as Dual Citizens Urged to Fight in Ukraine
Russia is moving away from military call-ups and instead is increasingly trying to attract Russian and migrant contractors.
Opinion
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Georgia Awaits EU Decision on Candidate Status
The closer the EU comes to a decision on granting candidacy status to Georgia, the more polarized politics becomes within the country.
Zaal Anjaparidze, The Jamestown Foundation
Are Glamping Yurts Yet Another Cultural Appropriation in The West?
Traditional housing used among many Central Asian nations today is utilized as an eco-friendly glamping option in the Western world. This is not the first instance when the heritage of the oppressed and underrepresented ethnic groups is used for profit. Yet who is to say what makes it cultural appropriation?
Leila Mekhdi
Words of Wisdom - Armenian Academic and Former Minister Gerard Libaridian Shares His Views on Peace in Karabakh
The Armenians of Karabakh can still sign up to a “manageable” agreement on integrating into Azerbaijan, argues Gerard Libaridian, but they need to stop a sense of self-denial in failing to recognise that they won’t get everything they want.
Mark Elliott
Russia’s Restoration of Sukhumi Airport May Lead to Full Annexation of Abkhazia
Abkhazia’s separatist government has recently signed public-private agreements with Russian companies for the restoration of Babushera airport, sparking fears in Georgia that Russia may be considering the annexation of Abkhazia.
Giorgi Menabde, The Jamestown Foundation
