Tag Archives: security

Tajikistan blocks Iran’s application to join the SCO

SEPT. 20 (The Bulletin) — Tajikistan is blocking Iranian membership of the Russia and China-led Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) because it accuses Tehran of supporting a banned Islamic party, Russian newspaper Kommersant reported. The SCO is often viewed in the West as a military organisation, although its functions and institutions go further. It is focused on Central Asia, although this year India and Pakistan joined. SCO ascension needs approval from every member.

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— This story was first published in issue 344 of The Conway Bulletin, now called the Central Asia & South Caucasus Bulletin, on Sept. 24 2017.

— Copyright the Central Asia & South Caucasus Bulletin 2017

Armenia says it will give up land in return for peace around Nagorno-Karabakh

SEPT. 19 (The Bulletin) — Armenia’s foreign minister Eduard Nalbandian said that the government may be willing to surrender slices of disputed land around the region of Nagorno-Karabakh, which Armenian-backed separatists control, in return for a lasting peace-deal. The proposal, made during a speech to diaspora in Yerevan was roundly criticised by the Armenian media. Azerbaijan has not responded to the suggestions that were heavily label as ‘hypothetical’.

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— This story was first published in issue 344 of The Conway Bulletin, now called the Central Asia & South Caucasus Bulletin, on Sept. 24 2017.

— Copyright the Central Asia & South Caucasus Bulletin 2017

Russia is a threat to Georgia, says US

SEPT. 19 (The Bulletin) — In its 2018 ‘National Defense Authorization Act’, the US Congress recognised Georgia’s assistance to its operations in Afghanistan and said that Russia was a constant threat to its survival. After the US, Georgia has the largest troop presence in Afghanistan, a policy it is leveraging to win support for its pro-West policies.

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— This story was first published in issue 344 of The Conway Bulletin, now called the Central Asia & South Caucasus Bulletin, on Sept. 24 2017.

— Copyright the Central Asia & South Caucasus Bulletin 2017

Suicide bomber in Afghanistan injures three Georgian soldiers

SEPT. 7 2017 (The Conway Bulletin) — A suicide bomb attack at the Bagram airbase in Afghanistan wounded three Georgian soldiers, media reported quoting the defence ministry. One of the soldiers, a lieutenant, was in a critical condition. In August a suicide bomber killed one Georgian soldier. Georgia is supporting US operations in Afghanistan.
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— This story was first published in issue 343 of The Conway Bulletin on Sept. 15 2017

Kazakhstan buys more fighter jets from Russia

SEPT. 12 2017 (The Conway Bulletin) — Kazakhstan signed a contract with Russia to buy 12 Sukhoi Su-30SM fighter jets, giving its air force a major boost and underlining its close military cooperation with Russia. Kazakh Pres. Nursultan Nazarbayev has said that he wants to strengthen Kazakhstan’s military. A Russian official said the order would be met within three years.
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— This story was first published in issue 343 of The Conway Bulletin on Sept. 15 2017

Turkish military jets on exercise in Azerbaijan

SEPT. 15 2017 (The Conway Bulletin) — Turkish military and fighter jets arrived in Azerbaijan ahead of a 12-day military exercise with their Azerbaijani counterparts set to run from Sept. 18. Azerbaijan and Turkey are close allies and regularly hold military exercises although this series, dubbed TuAz Eagle 2017 is one of the biggest held.
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— This story was first published in issue 343 of The Conway Bulletin on Sept. 15 2017

CSTO decrees Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikistan as a terrorist organisation

SEPT. 7 2017 (The Conway Bulletin) — The Russia-led Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO), a post-Soviet grouping of most militaries in Central Asia, the South Caucasus, Belarus and Russia, decreed at its meeting in June that the Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikistan (IRPT) was a terrorist organisation, media reported. Tajik officials have arrested or forced into exile all the main members of the IRPT since 2015 after President Emomali Rakhmon accused the group of a coup attempt. Until then, the IRPT, whose top members have sought sanctuary in Europe, had been the official opposition group.
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— This story was first published in issue 343 of The Conway Bulletin on Sept. 15 2017

Kazakh court sentences former head of State National Security Council

SEPT. 11 2017 (The Conway Bulletin) — A military court near Almaty sentenced Nartay Dutbayev, the former head of Kazakhstan’s National Security Council, to 7-1/2 years in prison for stealing state secrets. Dutbayev had been head of the National Security Council from December 2001 until February 2006. The case was held behind closed doors and no other details of Dutbayev’s offences have been released. Reports said he had been stripped of his rank and medals.
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— This story was first published in issue 343 of The Conway Bulletin on Sept. 15 2017

Kyrgyzstan vs Myanmar football match cancelled

SEPT. 4 2017 (The Conway Bulletin) — Kyrgyzstan cancelled a football match with Myanmar because of what it described as terror threats. The inference from the Kyrgyz authorities was that Myanmar’s treatment of its Muslim Rohingya minority meant the team was vulnerable to an attack. Myanmar is a predominantly Buddhist country. Last year a suspected Uighur extremist drove a car bomb into the Chinese embassy in Bishkek.

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Copyright ©The Conway Bulletin — all rights reserved

(News report from Issue No. 342, published on Sept. 7 2017)

Tajikistan boosts intelligence sharing with China

SEPT. 1 2017 (The Conway Bulletin) — On a trip to Beijing, Tajik president Emomali Rakhmon agreed to a general boost in relations with China that included a clause to increase intelligence sharing. China has been increasing its security and diplomatic efforts across Central Asia over the past few years, part of its ‘Belt and Road’ initiative to boost trade with Europe. Last year it also agreed to build a network of security outposts along Tajikistan’s border with Afghanistan.

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Copyright ©The Conway Bulletin — all rights reserved

(News report from Issue No. 342, published on Sept. 7 2017)