Central Asia

- WHO investigates second pneumonia case in Russia linked to anti-plague institute, amid pneumonic plague fears. - India sells Akash surface-to-air missile systems to Tajikistan and Turkmenistan, aiming to diversify from Russian dominance. - Central Asian countries seek Iranian oil due to Russia's fuel crisis; Tajikistan imports 91.1% of its petroleum products from Iran in the first half of 2026. - Kazakhstan upgrades transport infrastructure, expanding roads and railways to improve regional connectivity and transit capacity. - CIS and SCO member states integrate capabilities for expanded security cooperation in Eurasia during joint military exercises.

Recent headlines

• WHO seeks clarity on second pneumonia case in Russia amid plague fears — politico_eu
• Central Asia’s Water Challenge Deepens as Rivers Decline and Glaciers Melt — astana_times_kz
• Has Russia’s fuel crisis given Iranian oil an opening in Central Asia? — al_jazeera
• India’s Central Asia missile sales spark a new Great Game — asia_times
• Самолеты спецотряда «Россия», летавшие с Путиным в Туркменистан, не смогли с первого раза сесть в Москве из-за угрозы ат — meduza