https://www.rferl.org Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty is an international news organization serving Central and Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, Central Asia, Russia, the Middle East and Balkan countries https://www.rferl.org/Content/responsive/RFE/en-US/img/logo.png https://www.rferl.org en Copyright 2026 - RFE/RL, Inc. 60 Sat, 04 Apr 2026 11:28:35 +0200 Pangea CMS – RFE/RL The EU’s new sanctions target two Uzbek companies tied to businessman Rustam Muminov, who is sanctioned for supplying cotton pulp for Russian gunpowder and ammunition production. Evidence suggests his network dominates Uzbekistan’s cotton cellulose exports to Russia. https://www.rferl.org/a/uzbekistan-eu-sanctions-cotton-russian-military/33674429.html https://www.rferl.org/a/uzbekistan-eu-sanctions-cotton-russian-military/33674429.html Tue, 10 Feb 2026 18:06:12 +0100 UzbekistanFeaturesThe Rundown Stories Thousands of Central Asians are believed to have joined Russian forces in Ukraine. The Ukrainian state project I Want To Live recently released a list of Central Asian men who have either been killed or gone missing in Ukraine. https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-ukraine-centralasia-kazakhs/33572133.html https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-ukraine-centralasia-kazakhs/33572133.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 08:49:08 +0100 RussiaFeaturesKazakhstan A 15-year-old girl was forced into marriage with a 28-year-old man in the Surkhandarya region of Uzbekistan, her father says. Social services officials tried to prevent the wedding but it proceeded in August, garnering viral social media coverage. https://www.rferl.org/a/uzbekistan-teen-wedding-sharia-illegal-arranged-marriage-father-daughter-investigation-surkhandarya/33547224.html https://www.rferl.org/a/uzbekistan-teen-wedding-sharia-illegal-arranged-marriage-father-daughter-investigation-surkhandarya/33547224.html Sun, 05 Oct 2025 09:00:10 +0200 UzbekistanVideo ArchiveVideosThe Rundown Stories Neighbors of an Uzbek grain farmer recorded a night-time visit by police, who they say threatened the man, accusing him of falling short of state production quotas. Although Uzbek law guarantees farmers independence, many report they are still harassed and threatened over productivity. https://www.rferl.org/a/uzbekistan-ferghana-farmer-police-quota-production-harvest-water-shortage-threat/33548223.html https://www.rferl.org/a/uzbekistan-ferghana-farmer-police-quota-production-harvest-water-shortage-threat/33548223.html Sat, 04 Oct 2025 16:40:30 +0200 UzbekistanVideo ArchiveVideos The Afghan Taliban’s demolition of a memorial of Alisher Navoi in Mazar-e Sharif sparked outrage among Uzbeks. The move was reversed after backlash, with promises to rebuild. The incident reveals how Taliban's rigid ideology can yield to diplomacy and economic ties, especially with Uzbekistan. https://www.rferl.org/a/alisher-navoi-mazarisharif-memorial-afghanistan-taliban-uzbekistan/33513401.html https://www.rferl.org/a/alisher-navoi-mazarisharif-memorial-afghanistan-taliban-uzbekistan/33513401.html Thu, 04 Sep 2025 00:01:33 +0200 UzbekistanAfghanistan RFE/RL spotlights five Central Asian athletes who have turned adversity into triumph. From a paralyzed man turned ultramarathoner to a blind Paralympian and a Premier League soccer pioneer, these remarkable sportspeople have shown how resilience and courage can transcend barriers and inspire others. https://www.rferl.org/a/central-asia-sports-athletes-overcome-adversity-inspiration/33487419.html https://www.rferl.org/a/central-asia-sports-athletes-overcome-adversity-inspiration/33487419.html Wed, 30 Jul 2025 00:28:41 +0200 KyrgyzstanFeaturesKazakhstanTajikistanTurkmenistan UzbekistanThe Rundown Stories The United States has deported more than 100 citizens from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan to Tashkent in what Uzbek officials said is part of initiative is aimed at ensuring the rights of its citizens caught in "difficult situations abroad." https://www.rferl.org/a/us-central-asia-deportation-uzbekistan-trump/33402283.html https://www.rferl.org/a/us-central-asia-deportation-uzbekistan-trump/33402283.html Thu, 01 May 2025 19:03:54 +0200 NewsKazakhstanKyrgyzstanUzbekistanThe Rundown Stories Farmers in Uzbekistan allege they are being forced to cede fertile land to Chinese businesses under pressure from local authorities, fueling fears of deepening economic dependence on Beijing and its growing influence across Central Asia. https://www.rferl.org/a/uzbekistan-farmers-forced-land-transfers-chinese-investment/33392599.html https://www.rferl.org/a/uzbekistan-farmers-forced-land-transfers-chinese-investment/33392599.html Wed, 23 Apr 2025 00:32:43 +0200 UzbekistanNewsFeaturesKazakhstanKyrgyzstanTajikistanTurkmenistan UkraineThe Rundown HeadlineChina The European Union says it is entering a "new era" in its relationship with Central Asian nations following a summit aimed at making inroads in a region dominated by Russia and China. https://www.rferl.org/a/eu-central-asia-china-russia-samarkand/33373713.html https://www.rferl.org/a/eu-central-asia-china-russia-samarkand/33373713.html Fri, 04 Apr 2025 17:40:23 +0200 NewsKazakhstanKyrgyzstanTajikistanTurkmenistan UzbekistanThe Rundown Stories