No longer in the “middle of nowhere”, Central Asian countries are collaborating and diversifying, often away from Russia.

With countries from outside the region looking to join, is the SCO about to beef up its geopolitical clout?

Russia’s military aims in Ukraine have been furthered by its trade with the Central Asian nation.

An crucial artery for trade also holds many of the natural resources coveted in the modern age.

Construction challenges aside, a geopolitical interest is obvious.

An economic gateway through Central Asia could provide China a much less messy trade route to Europe.

The Russian leader will use a regional summit in Kyrgyzstan in an attempt to show he's not isolated.

A sharp spike in overall exports to the region appears to provide Beijing a pathway to indirectly support the Kremlin’s war effort.

In the geopolitical tussle between superpowers, Russia pays the price and China reaps the benefits.

The Central Asian nation is hedging its bets with a foreign policy trifecta based on peace, balance and pragmatism.

After a long haul already, there is still a journey ahead for a new route to connect China and Europe via Central Asia.

Beijing’s ambition with its western neighbours is more about heading off US influence than a quest to dominate.

The West hopes for a stable partner to deny Russia. Yet the Central Asian nation may seek equidistance from all.

Putin’s war is part of the untidy and slow-motion disintegration of the Soviet Union.

Setbacks in the Kremlin’s campaign are causing regional supporters to think twice about the Eurasian military alliance.

Russia’s loss has been China’s gain.

A likely face-to-face meeting between Putin, Xi and Modi will be an uncomfortable sight for Quad partners.

Geopolitical change opens the chance to capitalise on goodwill for a potentially valuable partnership.

Moscow may turn to the Collective Security Treaty Organisation in Central Asia to prove its regional standing is intact.

President Toqayev has promised a “New Kazakhstan”, but democracy isn’t on the table.

Small and landlocked, the Central Asian nation struggles to balance its economy with essential public health measures.

Media blackouts and influence from the Kremlin are stifling anti-government protests in the Central Asian republic.

Where Russian universities once schooled the elite, students are increasingly changing preference.

Post-election upheaval has drawn new attention to internal power struggles and the region’s geostrategic importance.

The West’s isolation of Russia has helped Moscow acquiesce in an expanded Chinese presence it would once have resented.

Covid-19 has spurred rumours and local tensions, but economic fortunes of the region are increasingly bound to Beijing.

An unstable Afghanistan threatens all kinds of trouble for its neighbours. For Russia, it may be a golden opportunity.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation efforts to rebrand itself as an economic forum deserve a second look.

A new deal helps Russia and Iran decide whether the Caspian is legally a lake or a sea.

Kazakhstan is forging a leading role in Central Asia, with Moscow slow to recognise the country is eluding its grasp.

The signs of warming relations between Uzbekistan and Tajikistan are built on the friendship between two authoritarian rulers.

Talk of Silk Roads continue to dominate regional conversations, but diversification will be essential to realise the visions that are being advanced.