Analysis: U.S. sanctions on Iran have a big impact, but not necessarily in the intended places
Sanctions are a long-used tool designed as an alternative to military force and with the objective of changing governments’ behaviour, but they also...
A high-level meeting of the water and energy ministers from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan recently took place in Tashkent to discuss the construction of the Kambarata Hydroelectric Power Plant (HPP-1). The project, located on the Naryn River, is set to become one of Central Asia's largest hydroelectric facilities.
Kazakhstan's Vice Minister of Energy, Sungat Yessimkhanov, emphasized that the 1,860 MW power plant will significantly enhance regional cooperation and strengthen friendly relations between the countries of Central Asia.
The project will see the three countries—Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan—collaborate closely on the operation of the plant. According to agreements made during the meeting, Kyrgyzstan will hold a 34% share, while Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan will each have a 33% stake. Upon completion of the project, Kyrgyzstan will assume full ownership of the Kambarata HPP-1.
The Kambarata HPP-1 is a monumental project, with plans to construct a 256-meter high dam, a power station capable of generating 1,860 megawatts, and a reservoir with a capacity of 5.4 billion cubic meters. Once operational, the plant will produce approximately 5.6 billion kWh of electricity annually. The project is expected to be completed within 10 years.
The leaders of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan had previously signed a roadmap for the Kambarata HPP-1 project in January 2023, solidifying their commitment to the project and outlining key milestones.
Experts have raised concerns about the deteriorating water resources in the region, driven by drastic climate changes such as rising temperatures and decreasing precipitation. These changes are leading to lower water levels in rivers and reservoirs.
Analysts predict that by 2050, Central Asia’s population will reach 90 million, exacerbating water scarcity. The region is expected to face a 25-30% water shortage, while the demand for water for agricultural purposes may increase by 30% by 2030.
The Kambarata HPP-1 is seen as a key step in addressing some of these challenges, providing a significant boost to the region's energy security and mitigating some of the effects of water scarcity through renewable hydroelectric power.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has activated the state’s National Guard following the fatal shooting of a U.S. citizen in Minneapolis, an incident that has triggered protests and intensified tensions between state and federal authorities.
Venezuela’s interim president Delcy Rodriguez said on Sunday the country should not fear pursuing energy ties with the United States, as Caracas seeks to expand oil and gas production and attract foreign investment.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry has strongly rejected a U.S. magazine report on the death toll during January unrest. Nationwide protests erupted in response to soaring inflation and a national currency crisis.
A mosaic portrait of Pope Leo XIV was illuminated on Sunday at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls in Rome, continuing a centuries-old Vatican tradition marking the election of a new pope.
The death toll from nationwide protests in Iran has climbed to 6,126, according to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA).
Residents in Syria’s Kurdish-majority city of Qamishli have stepped up volunteer patrols amid growing pressure from the country’s Islamist-led government, expressing deep mistrust of Damascus despite a fragile U.S.-backed ceasefire.
Sanctions are a long-used tool designed as an alternative to military force and with the objective of changing governments’ behaviour, but they also end up hurting civilian citizens.
Azerbaijan’s participation in the United States-backed Board of Peace reflects a clear calculation of national interest, according to Chingiz Mammadov, Research Alumni of the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) and the Woodrow Wilson International Center.
A clock in a Tel Aviv square that became a rallying point for Israelis demanding the release of hostages taken during the October 2023 Hamas attack was turned off on Tuesday, 844 days after it began counting their captivity.
Turkish defence firm Aselsan announced on Monday that it had signed a deal with the NATO alliance, of which Türkiye is a longstanding member, for the supply of “Identification of Friend or Foe” (IFF) interrogator systems for use with Man-Portable Air Defense Systems, or MANPADS.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment