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Catherine Putz

Catherine Putz

The Diplomat

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Uzbekistan, Russia Celebrate Start of Nuclear Power Plant Construction… Again

Tashkent and Moscow celebrated the start of construction on the plant – two months after the companies involved celebrated the same thing.

05.06.2026 3

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz

EBRD Dials Down Kyrgyz GDP Forecast Over Sanctions Worries

While still growing, Kyrgyzstan’s GDP may slow due to increasing weight of sanctions.

03.06.2026 5

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz

Kazakhstan, Russia Step Forward With $16.4 Billion Nuclear Power Plant Plan

Moscow is reportedly furnishing as much as 85 percent of the financing for the project.

02.06.2026 9

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz

Understanding Cambodia’s Scam Economy, with Jacob Sims

The scam economy is an industrialized system that merges cyber fraud with human trafficking and money laundering, all thriving under political...

27.05.2026 10

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz

A Textbook Debate: Why Russian Historians Told Kyrgyz Historians to Ditch the Term ‘Colonialism’

If legitimacy is tied to history, then exactly how that history is interpreted matters beyond conference rooms packed with historians.

27.05.2026 8

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz

Theresa Sabonis-Helf on Central Asia’s Thirsty Future Industries

“I don’t find evidence that [Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan] are yet grappling with the water needs of next-generation industries.”

26.05.2026 9

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz

‘Entry Into the Kyrgyz Republic Is Closed’: US Professor Denied Entry to Kyrgyzstan

Steve Swerdlow, a well-known Central Asia researcher and a USC professor, was leading a group of 16 students to Kyrgyzstan when he was denied entry...

22.05.2026 10

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz

Is 2026 the Year of Booming Central Asia-Africa Relations?

There has been a curious uptick in Central Asia-Africa relations this year, led by Kyrgyzstan.

21.05.2026 30

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz

At SCO Security Heads Meeting, Russia Stakes Out ‘Full-fledged Partnership’ With Taliban-ruled Afghanistan

Russia's Sergei Shoigu also said that "a return of third-country military infrastructure to Afghanistan or the deployment of new military facilities...

18.05.2026 10

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz

Forced Labor Remains Central to Turkmenistan’s Cotton Harvest

Despite small steps in 2023 and 2024, the 2025 harvest reportedly saw a complete return to the mobilization of state employees into the fields.

14.05.2026 10

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz

Tashiev Indicted for Coup Plot, Case Classified

According to his lawyer, Tashiev has been indicted on charges of plotting a coup and the case has been classified.

13.05.2026 9

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz

4 Kazakh Regions Likely to See Water Shortages in 2026

Following the 2025 regional drought, Kazakhstan authorities have warned about below-average reservoir levels and the possibility for summer shortages.

12.05.2026 10

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz

Kazakh and Uzbek Leaders Attend Muted Victory Day Parade in Moscow

In their bilateral meetings, Putin emphasized how grateful he was that the Kazakh and Uzbek leaders came to stand with Russia.

11.05.2026 10

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz

What to Make of Adilet, Kazakhstan’s Newest Political Party?

With Aibek Dadebay – until very recently the head of the presidential administration – at its head, Adilet looks to be just another...

07.05.2026 10

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz

Telling Turan’s Tales With Agnieszka Pikulicka

For a region little covered in the global press, every thoughtful effort to tell local stories is a bright light in the dark.

07.05.2026 10

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz

Will Any Central Asian Leaders Head to Moscow for Victory Day 2026?

With the celebration expected to be toned down under possible threat of Ukrainian drone strikes, fewer foreign dignitaries are expected.

04.05.2026 10

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz

Former Kyrgyz Security Chief Charged With Coup-plotting and Abuse of Office

Tashiev has not yet been detained, but has reportedly been instructed not to leave town.

30.04.2026 10

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz

Former Kyrgyz Security Chief Tashiev Confirms Criminal Case Against Him

In his statement, Tashiev urges people not to protest and "act only within the law."

29.04.2026 10

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz

Swiss Karimova Corruption Case Discontinued

Karimova – already serving a 13-year sentence in Uzbekistan – wasn’t allowed to attend the trial in Switzerland and as such, the judges...

29.04.2026 10

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz

China and Turkmenistan Inaugurate New Phase at Galkynysh Gas Field

Despite consistent chatter about the need for diversification, Ashgabat has struggled to reach customers other than China given infrastructure...

23.04.2026 10

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz

EU Aims Sanctions ‘Anti-circumvention Tool’ at Kyrgyzstan

The EU’s tool – branded as a “last resort measure” – is being used for the first time to cut off export of certain high-tech goods to Kyrgyzstan.

23.04.2026 10

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz

Russia to Halt Shipments of Kazakh Oil to Germany on May 1

“There have been no official statements from the Russian side yet, but from unofficial sources, we know it's true,” Kazakh Energy Minister Yerlan...

22.04.2026 10

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz

Brother of Karkalpak Activist Detained for Petty Hooliganism

Zholdasbay Sagidullayev allegedly approached a district police department building and repeatedly shouted, "Alga, Karakalpakstan!"

21.04.2026 10

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz

5-Year Prison Terms for Atajurt Activists Who Burned Chinese Flag

After protesting Chinese state policies in Xinjiang, and after apparent pressure from Beijing, the group of Kazakhs were charged with “inciting...

16.04.2026 10

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz

Officer Charged in 2024 Suicide of Young Kazakh Conscript

The charging of the officer comes amid increased scrutiny of the deaths of Kazakh soldiers, often quite young, during peacetime.

15.04.2026 10

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Catherine Putz

Aijan Sharshenova on the Japarov-Tashiev Political Divorce in Kyrgyzstan

Put one way, the Japarov-Tashiev split is a “political divorce… involving high stakes, such as significant assets, complex business structures, or...

01.04.2026 10

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz

Iran War Opens New Markets for Kazakhstan

With the Strait of Hormuz effectively closed, Bangladesh is in a dire strait of its own and looking far afield for new energy partners, like...

01.04.2026 20

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Catherine Putz

The Kyrgyzneftegaz Case: Shairbek Tashiev Arrested

Shairbek, who resigned from parliament last month, had previously been questioned as a “witness" in the Kyrgyzneftgas case.

01.04.2026 20

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz

Where Do Kazakhs Get Their News?

A recent survey dives into the media consumption habits of Kazakhs.

31.03.2026 10

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz

Calls for Deeper Investigations Grow in Kyrgyzstan

A former Kyrgyz prosecutor general has called on the Kyrgyz government to create an independent commission to review the activities of the State...

30.03.2026 10

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz

More Questioned, Arrested, in Expanding Kyrgyzneftgas Probe

This week the former head of the National Bank and the brother of Kamchybek Tashiev were questioned, the former then detained.

26.03.2026 30

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz

As Cybercrime Soars in Central Asia, Digital Literacy Lags Behind

There’s no easy solution, but the most obvious first step is to empower individuals to think critically about what they read online.

25.03.2026 20

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz

Uzbekistan Takes Next Step on Nuclear Power Plant Journey

Concrete is being poured at a site in Jizzakh region which will host Uzbekistan’s first nuclear power plant.

24.03.2026 30

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz

What Do Central Asians Think About the Eurasian Economic Union?

Dr. Zhanibek Arynov shares insights gleaned from his research into public perceptions of the EAEU in Armenia, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, a decade...

23.03.2026 20

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz

Temirov Live Director Makhabat Tazhibek kyzy Released Pending New Trial

Although the Kyrgyz Supreme Court had previously upheld the verdict against her, Tazhibek kyzy was granted a new trial and released on parole this...

23.03.2026 20

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz

Tashiev Returns to Kyrgyzstan, Questioned as a ‘Witness’

That Tashiev is being questioned as a witness, rather than detained as a culprit, is a political hedge.

20.03.2026 20

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz

Turkmenistan Dismisses 2 Top US-Based Diplomats After Decades in Office

After 25 and 32 years, respectively, Meret Orazov and Aksoltan Ataeva are out of their U.S.-based diplomatic jobs, allegedly for failing to score...

19.03.2026 40

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Catherine Putz

Corruption Allegations at Kyrgyzneftgas Put Tashiev’s Network in the Crosshairs

The head of Kyrgyzstan’s State Tax Service has alleged that “Kyrgyzneftegaz was completely under the control of the State Committee for National...

18.03.2026 30

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz

Kyrgyz Supreme Court Dismissed Kloop’s Appeal of ‘Extremist’ Declaration

The beleaguered outlet, and its founder, had been branded “extremist” in October 2025.

09.03.2026 10

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz

The US Hasn’t Designated Violators of International Religious Freedom Since 2023

In its latest report, USCIRF has urged the Trump administration to finally make designations of egregious violators of religious freedoms.

05.03.2026 30

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz

Man Convicted in Allamjonov Assassination Plot Dead by Suicide in Prison

According to RFE/RL's Uzbek Service, Ismail Jahongirov – sentenced last year to 23 years in prison – died by suicide while in the prison’s...

04.03.2026 10

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz

Central Asia Watches, Worries, as Conflict Threatens to Engulf the Middle East

It’s awkward to be on record calling Trump the “president of peace” as he plunges the Middle East into a likely catastrophic conflict.

02.03.2026 20

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz

EU Sanctions Envoy Asks Kyrgyzstan to Stop Helping Russia Dodge Sanctions

"We are not asking Kyrgyzstan not to have trading relations with Russia. We only ask that that trading relationship does not involve the deliberate...

26.02.2026 30

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz

Ukraine Rebuked by Washington Over Caspian Pipeline Consortium Strikes

Ukraine’s ambassador to the U.S. said the complaint cited the risks posed to “American investments which are being performed through Kazakhstan.”

25.02.2026 30

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz

Where Did Tajik President Emomali Rahmon Disappear To? And Why Does It Matter?

Rahmon surfaced after an apparent 17-day absence on February 14. His stepping out of the limelight stirred up rumors of ill health.

23.02.2026 50

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz

Early Presidential Election Off the Table in Kyrgyzstan

And Japarov’s time in office seems to have been given an end-date: 2032.

19.02.2026 40

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz

Security Shakeup in Kyrgyzstan Continues to Unfold

The Border Service has been taken out from under the GKNB and at least five people who signed a letter calling for early presidential elections have...

12.02.2026 10

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz

Kazakhstan Rushes Forward With Constitutional Referendum, Date Set for March 15

Less than six months ago, Tokayev said haste in changing the constitution was “completely inappropriate.” 

11.02.2026 10

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz

Citing ‘Unity,’ Kyrgyz President Japarov Dismisses Key Ally, Security Chief Tashiev

The surprise dismissal comes while Tashiev is reportedly out of the country.

11.02.2026 10

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz

How Did Japan’s Space Program Evolve?

In "The Islands and the Stars," Subodhana Wijeyeratne charts how Tokyo's space program has changed over the past century.

10.02.2026 20

The Diplomat

Catherine Putz