This week’s episode of the CAPS Unlock podcast takes us from the heat-blasted plains of Turkmenistan to the mineral riches of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, and then to end, back to Bishkek’s street theatre of power.

We begin with a dive into the mooted trans-Afghan railway, a project once seen as fantasy that now edges closer to reality. We discuss Uzbekistan, Pakistan, and Afghanistan’s newly signed agreement to launch feasibility studies for the 700-kilometre route. Could this long-touted project finally break Uzbekistan out of its geographic deadlock, or will questions over security, financing, and the Taliban’s international status keep it grounded?

In our interview segment, we speak with Roman Vakulchuk, head of the Climate and Energy Research Group at the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs. Vakulchuk talks us through his new paper on the European Union’s cooperation with Central Asia on critical raw materials. Despite high-level rhetoric and investment pledges under the Global Gateway, the EU lags behind China and the U.S. in concrete deals. Vakulchuk explores why, and outlines the small, smart policy moves Brussels could make to regain ground, starting with visa reform.

We close with a character study of Kamchybek Tashiyev, head of Kyrgyzstan’s security services, who once again made headlines by publicly dressing down a city official over a fenced-off plot of land. Was it law enforcement, political theatre, or both? We examine how Kyrgyz power now plays out not in parliament, but on camera, and what that says about elite dynamics across the region.

Useful links:

Start Slow to Go Fast? Unlocking EU–Central Asia Cooperation on Critical Materials https://library.fes.de/pdf-files/bueros/bruessel/22082.pdf

The other president of Kyrgyzstan: https://havli.substack.com/p/the-other-president-of-kyrgyzstan

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