Week in Review: The Title Should Be Obvious

Orda has put together a brief synopsis of this past week's news.

Hunger Strike Controversy in Kyrgyzstan

Reports in Kyrgyzstan surfaced that people being held in a pre-trial detention center declared a hunger strike. 24.kg was among the first to write about it, but the article is no longer available.

The reason was purportedly its new head, Chyngyz Kozhoshev. Media cited relatives of those in custody as saying that they were subject to physical violence that Kozhoshev allegedly took part in.

Investigative journalist Bolot Temirov has claimed that Kozhoshev is Kamchybek Tashiev's bodyguard. Tashiev is the head of Kyrgyzstan's National Security Committee. 

The penal authorities refuted the claims, and a local Ombudsman arrived to discover "no visible signs of physical violence," except in one instance.

One person was found to have a bruise on his face and claimed force was used against him. And, not much later, two others spoke out again.

The Kyrgyz Penal Enforcement System (CIN) consistently issued statements denying the accusations, although an audio recording seemingly confirming the abuse emerged. 

While prosecutors announced inspections, CIN  trumpeted that attempts to destabilize the situation would be stopped, while its head instructed to improve conditions and offer societal rehabilitation assistance.

Those supposedly subject to physical force are "representatives of the criminal world," a notable fact, considering Tashiev's long-standing battle with criminal elements and his alleged connection with Kozhoshev.

No Hard Feelings?

The Taliban has recently made an effort to present Afghanistan as a safe and stable country.

A key moment came when Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesperson for the Afghan authorities, highlighted 'improved relations' with Tajikistan and claimed that Afghanistan did not pose a threat.

Such a remark is indeed striking, considering the Taliban's previous and aggressive narratives toward Dushanbe.

The remark also follows a November cross-border attack that claimed the life of a Chinese national.

Afghanistan is indeed in need of external resources, explaining Kabul's attempts to calm the waters. China has offered tariff-free trade for the nation, though Afghan authorities seem to want more.

They have long expressed interest in joining China's One Road, One Belt initiative and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. Notwithstanding attempts to convince otherwise, security concerns remain a significant roadblock, especially considering China's preoccupation with active projects facing similar issues in Pakistan and Central Asia. 

What is more, the ongoing conflict between the Taliban and Pakistan is likely to throw a wrench in Kabul joining the economic corridor.

It could also potentially undermine their reliability as a regional actor.

Soon To Be Running on Fumes?

Ukraine's President had a back-and-forth with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico. Division over the gas transit via Ukraine was the spark that kindled the fire. Yet, Fico was the one that doused it.

Fico stated that cutting electricity supplies to Ukraine would be on the table if gas transit was discontinued.

Fico, one of few EU leaders to visit Russia, is seen as having pro-Russian sentiments.

Zelenskyy responded, underscoring the pro-Russian aspects and slamming Fico's lack of respect for common EU regulations:

Zelenskyy said Slovakia's share of Ukraine's electricity imports is roughly 19%, underscoring Ukraine's talks with neighboring EU countries to maintain the required volumes of electricity supply.

The Ukrainian President also believes Slovak authorities' actions could impact relations with the European community.

Connection Error

Turkmen.news relayed information that the Internet experienced another slowdown in Turkmenistan.

Although the nation is known for its isolation, the media asserts that the issue lies within corruption or incompetence. 

They write that the oversight authority has utilized such blocks to monetize access to specific IP addresses. 

Still, another version is that employees' laziness when entering the IP address causes mass blocks instead of isolating a specific one.

To BRICS or Not to BRICS...

Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan are officially set to become BRICS.....partners? 

Semantics aside, Tashkent and Astana have demonstrated hesitance to join the organization, which is seen as a juxtaposition of Western dominance. Unlike Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan is a full-fledged Eurasian Economic Union member, explaining its indecisiveness in joining yet another economic bloc. 

So why be partners? 

Uzbekistan likely sees the partnership as an opportunity to push forward projects like the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway. Kazakhstan has similar inspirations, the latest being a transit corridor between China and Russia via the Irtysh. Becoming "partners" may facilitate such economic interactions.

Nonetheless, Uzbekistan seems more committed to becoming a full-fledged member of the World Trade Organization, while Kazakhstan may have just thrown Moscow a bone, especially considering the latter's consistent efforts.

Tashkent has indeed demonstrated prowess when matters concern blocs; its approach toward the Eurasian Economic Union is a testament to such skill. Although Uzbek authorities have highlighted the Union's drawbacks, they maintain an observer status, continuing to benefit economically and politically without full-fledged membership obligations.

Perhaps Astana took a page from Taskhent's book this time around.

A Part That Speaks For Itself

Midweek, news shook Kazakhstan and quickly spread worldwide. 

A flight en route to Grozny, Chechnya, from Baku, Azerbaijan, crashed near Aqtau, Kazakhstan.

As Kazakhstan's first responders raced to save lives, a flood of reports began circulating online.

Investigations into the incident are ongoing, but Azerbaijani authorities have made their voices heard "unofficially."

Analysts who spoke with The Caucasian Knot have interpreted statements via the media as an initial signal: Baku was seeking accountability, and diplomatic efforts would follow if unofficial ones failed. 

And follow they did.

Rosaviatisya's head eventually confirmed the drone attack in the area.

Meanwhile, Chechnya's leader, Ramzan Kadyrov, awarded his cousin a medal for his efforts in fending off the attack. He then declared a day of mourning to honor the victims.

Against this backdrop, Azerbaijan shot down his offer to help those affected, emphasizing that it would take care of its own.

Amid calls for a public apology from an Azerbaijani deputy, the Kremlin's official spokesperson urged people to "wait for the investigation to end." 

While the incident may not irreparably damage relations between the two nations, it could strain them, regardless of the investigation's outcome.

Putin has apologized but stopped short of accepting direct responsibility. Baku likely saw such efforts as insufficient.

Thus, Azerbaijan brought out the big guns — Aliyev held a candid interview, leaving no stone unturned — causing Putin to dash for the phone once more. Details may be few, but one can connect their own dots.