When the world gets closer.

We help you see farther.

Sign up to our expressly international daily newsletter.

Tajikistan

Geopolitics

With Putin Shut Out, Xi Makes His Play For Central Asia — And Europe

Five former Soviet states have arrived for a key summit in China, and the absence of Vladimir Putin signals Central Asia's desire to distance itself from Moscow — and China's rising global dominance.

-Analysis-

PARIS — They are called the five "Stans"... Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan. They used to be part of the Soviet Union and are today at the center of a strategic zone between Russia and China.

The leaders of the Central Asian countries arrived Thursday in Xi'an, in central China to meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping. And there was undeniably someone missing from the picture: Vladimir Putin.

Stay up-to-date with the latest on the Russia-Ukraine war, with our exclusive international coverage.

Sign up to our free daily newsletter.

The Russian leader's absence is highly significant: the "Stans" are getting closer to Beijing in order to put more distance between themselves and Moscow.

We are not talking about a change of direction or a rift, but rather a rebalancing, a new regional order in which the Chinese ascendancy is now an undeniable reality. But an unofficial representative of Beijing admitted it Wednesday in private: this summit between the Central Asian countries and China, without Russia, must not have pleased Putin.

Watch VideoShow less

No More Big Fat Tajik Weddings? The Economics Of Traditional Nuptials

Marriage in Tajikistan, a Central Asian country of 8 million, is celebrated over days and far over budget. A new law tries to change ancient ways for the sake of modern economics.

ARBOB — It’s windy in this former Soviet-era kolkhoz collective farm and historic site known as the place where the peace treaty in the Tajikistan civil war 1992-1997 was signed. The Arbob Cultural Palace happens to also be a popular photo set for newlyweds.

That's where I met Masuma, 19, and Husnidin, 20. They insisted they were getting married for love, “not like other Tajik people,” they say.

Keep reading...Show less
EXPLORE OTHER TOPICS
chinaitalyusafrancegermany