Latest News

Politics · International Relations

Kazakhstan Holds Historic First Elections to the New Qurultay

Today, Kazakhstan is holding a historic nationwide vote, as citizens elect deputies to the country’s new Qurultay, the unicameral Parliament established under Kazakhstan’s recently adopted Constitution.

Derya SoysalAugust 23, 2026

Politics · Elections And Political Analysis

How Kazakhstan’s CEC Prepared for the Kurultai Elections

Seven parties are contesting 145 seats in the new unicameral Kurultai, with 545 candidates on party lists and women, youth, and disabled persons making up 43.9% of candidates.

EUReflect NewsAugust 23, 2026

Technology · Digitalization

Azerbaijan Reshapes the Middle Corridor: Digital Ambition vs. Logistics

Azerbaijan's digital reforms have cut China-Europe transit times from 38-53 days to 12-18, but coordination gaps and infrastructure limits still pose challenges.

Abdul Hamid Hamid Al-KbaAugust 22, 2026

General · International

Are We Really Moving from the Nation State to the Network State?

Balaji Srinivasan's network state concept has been tested in Montenegro and Malaysia, but these experiments remain dependent on host countries for basic governance.

Uroosa KhanAugust 22, 2026

Economy · Investment Entrepreneurship

Pakistan’s Textile Industry: From Compliance Pressure to Global Competitiveness

With 33% of international buyers planning to increase sourcing from Pakistan, compliance with labour and environmental standards is becoming a key competitive factor for the country's textile industry.

Saima AfzalAugust 22, 2026

Politics · International Relations

Beyond the Blocs: Why Pakistan’s Strategic Autonomy Matters to Europe

Pakistan's economic stability, not just military strength, is key to its strategic autonomy, with external financing and energy dependence limiting its foreign-policy options.

Saima AfzalAugust 22, 2026

Politics · Elections And Political Analysis

Kazakhstan will hold its first elections to new Unicameral Qurultay

Kazakhstan’s First Qurultay Elections 🇰🇿 August 23: First elections to the new unicameral Qurultay.

Saadia AjbailiAugust 22, 2026

Conferences Events Festivals · International

Qairat Almaty vs Anderlecht

This week, football fans across Europe are once again turning their eyes toward Central Asia, as FC Qairat Almaty — the reigning champions of Kazakhstan — take on RSC Anderlecht in the play-off round of the UEFA Europa League qualifying path.

Derya SoysalAugust 20, 2026

Conferences Events Festivals · International

The Akhal-Teke Horse and the Soul of Turkmenistan at Thirty-Five

“These horses are an unearthly breed. Perfection, miracles of miracles. … Gold that came down from heaven.”

Derya SoysalAugust 20, 2026

Politics · International Relations

Kazakhs Will Vote the Qurultay

This Sunday, 23 August 2026, millions of Kazakhstanis will walk into polling stations to take part in one of the most consequential moments in their nation’s modern history: the first-ever election to the Qurultay (Құрылтай), Kazakhstan’s newly established single-chamber parliament.

Derya SoysalAugust 20, 2026

Politics · International Relations

King Philippe of Belgium Visits Kazakhstan in October 2026

At a glance From 12 to 15 October 2026, King Philippe of the Belgians will pay his first-ever State visit to Kazakhstan, at the invitation of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. It will be the first time in history that a Belgian sovereign travels on an official visit to the Central Asian country, since diplomatic relations were established in 1992.

Derya SoysalAugust 20, 2026

Politics · International Relations

Interview with H.E. Khandker Masudul Alam, Ambassador of Bangladesh to Belgium

Interview with H.E. Khandker Masudul Alam, Ambassador of Bangladesh to Belgium, Luxembourg and the European Union

Derya SoysalAugust 19, 2026

Defense · Defense Policy Strategy

The Hidden Risk in America’s AI Strategy

The new strategy may deepen reliance on large AI models and computing infrastructure, conflicting with diverse defense ecosystem goals.

İsmail PolatAugust 19, 2026

Politics · International Relations

Iran Says Hormuz Will Stay Closed Until US Meets Deal Conditions

• Iran says Hormuz will remain closed. • Tehran demands an end to US oil sanctions. • The June interim deal has collapsed. • Iran signals a more offensive posture.

Ipek TuncerAugust 18, 2026

General · International

A New Experiment in Turkmenistan: Can Technology Transform the Transport Sector?

Adoption may hinge on pricing after the trial, as smaller companies might find the full features hard to sustain.

Abdul Hamid Hamid Al-KbaAugust 18, 2026

Travel · Culture Heritage

Kazakhstan: The World’s Most Underrated Travel Destination

When people, especially in Europe, think of great travel destinations, they often imagine France, Spain, Italy, Japan or Thailand. Rarely does Kazakhstan come to mind. Yet this vast Central Asian nation offers something increasingly difficult to find in modern tourism: authenticity. But for me, as a Belgian journalist, Kazakhstan is one of the most underrated travel destinations. It is so rich that, in one country, you can experience so many different things.

Derya SoysalAugust 17, 2026

Politics · International Relations

Full-scale war might return to Yemen if Houthi strikes continue, the UN warns

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights urges the sides to de-escalate before its too late to stop civilian suffering

EUReflect NewsAugust 17, 2026

Politics · International Relations

‘Mustaqillik’ Generation: New Navigators of the Silk Road

The 'Mustaqillik Generation' is leveraging tech hubs like IT Park to export digital services globally, with startups like TheCarGo serving US clients from Tashkent, marking a shift from silk to software on the new Silk Road.

Sadriddin SuyarovAugust 17, 2026

Politics · International Relations

Trump Weighs New Economic Pressure on Iran as War Drags On

The Trump administration is considering tougher economic measures against Iran, including sanctions on Chinese oil refiners and banks. Washington aims to cut Tehran's revenue and supply networks, but broader measures could deepen tensions with Beijing.

Ipek TuncerAugust 16, 2026

Politics · International Relations

WHO Warns Global Rehabilitation Gap Is Leaving Millions Without Essential Care

Around 2.4 billion people worldwide could benefit from rehabilitation, according to WHO. Yet more than half of those needing services in low- and middle-income countries do not receive them, highlighting a growing global health access gap.

Ipek TuncerAugust 16, 2026

Conferences Events Festivals · International

Kazakhstan and Belgium Mark 34 Years of Diplomatic Relations with Cycling Ride in Brussels

Ambassador Roman Vassilenko said cycling mirrors bilateral ties, requiring balance, momentum and mutual support.

EUReflect NewsAugust 16, 2026

Defense · Defense Policy Strategy

Türkiye Emerges as Europe’s Key Black Sea Partner

Turkey's role is concretized through the MCM Black Sea task group, which has conducted 10 activations, and its mandate is being extended to cover energy assets like the Sakarya Gas Field.

İsmail PolatAugust 16, 2026