The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/topic/central-asia/ News from Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World Thu, 11 Jun 2026 06:11:06 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://static-cdn.toi-media.com/www/uploads/2018/11/toi_icon_512-200x200.png Central Asia | The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/topic/central-asia/ 32 32 In an ancient oasis in Bukhara, a tiny Jewish community relies on its Muslim neighbors https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-an-ancient-oasis-in-bukhara-a-tiny-jewish-community-relies-on-its-muslim-neighbors/ Fri, 12 Dec 2025 13:50:56 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3680091 Once an influential Jewish hub on Central Asia's Silk Road, urban center in Uzbekistan is now home to just several hundred Jews, unthreatened by antisemitism, struggling to keep tradition alive

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]]> Trump looks to bring Azerbaijan, Central Asian nations into Abraham Accords https://www.timesofisrael.com/trump-looks-to-bring-azerbaijan-central-asian-nations-into-abraham-accords/ Fri, 01 Aug 2025 21:51:18 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3611682 US president’s team in talks with several countries that already recognize Israel about largely symbolic move, as Saudi normalization efforts have stalled amid Gaza war

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]]> Eyeing Iran, Israel moves to shore up ties with neighboring Caucasus, Central Asia https://www.timesofisrael.com/eyeing-iran-israel-moves-to-shore-up-ties-with-neighboring-caucasus-central-asia/ Wed, 18 Jan 2023 10:29:45 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=2907127 Energy-rich Azerbaijan, chafing at Iranian threats, set to open embassy in Tel Aviv, with Israel seeing chance to expand relations with others in region as well

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]]> Inside the international campaign to save Kyrgyzstan’s only Jewish school https://www.timesofisrael.com/inside-the-international-campaign-to-save-kyrgyzstans-only-jewish-school/ Wed, 06 Jul 2022 01:06:14 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=2788592 When Pri Etz Haim-Ort was served an eviction notice, a Jewish leader got Israel, the EU, US and others to pressure local authorities to come to the aid of the tiny community

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]]> Stockholm attack suspect tried to join IS in Syria – reports https://www.timesofisrael.com/stockholm-attack-suspect-tried-to-join-is-in-syria-reports/ Wed, 12 Apr 2017 15:38:52 +0000 http://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=1599301 Rakhmat Akilov reportedly influenced by fellow Central Asians, received order from terror group to carry out truck-ramming

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]]> Russia says all St Petersburg metro bombing suspects from Central Asia https://www.timesofisrael.com/russia-says-all-st-petersburg-metro-bombing-suspects-from-central-asia/ Tue, 11 Apr 2017 11:03:15 +0000 http://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=1598687 Eight people being held in Moscow and Saint Petersburg over last week's terror attack that killed 13

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]]> Istanbul nightclub attacker said identified as Uzbek jihadist https://www.timesofisrael.com/istanbul-nightclub-attacker-said-identified-as-uzbek-jihadist/ Sun, 08 Jan 2017 12:03:02 +0000 http://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=1535731 Turkish media reports fugitive gunman who killed 39 in New Year's shooting rampage is a member of Central Asian Islamic State cell

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]]> Wanted Istanbul terrorist ‘fought for IS in Syria’ https://www.timesofisrael.com/wanted-istanbul-attacker-fought-for-is-in-syria/ Tue, 03 Jan 2017 14:54:07 +0000 http://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=1532973 Turkish media reports gunman was well-trained and 'specially selected' by Islamic State to carry out shooting rampage

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]]> Netanyahu scores diplomatic home run in Iran’s backyard https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-central-asia-netanyahu-scores-diplomatic-home-run-in-irans-backyard/ Fri, 16 Dec 2016 23:22:22 +0000 http://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=1521881 PM's visit to Central Asia underlines ability to punch holes in former taboo across the Muslim world on openly embracing Israel

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]]> On PM’s visit to Asian Muslim states, a not-so-subtle message to the Arab world https://www.timesofisrael.com/on-pm-visit-to-asian-muslim-states-a-not-so-subtle-message-to-the-arab-world/ Thu, 15 Dec 2016 17:22:46 +0000 http://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=1521095 Netanyahu sees his trip to Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan as a model for warming relations, but the two countries he toured are atypical in their approach to Islam

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]]> Azerbaijan set to buy Iron Dome from Israel – report https://www.timesofisrael.com/azerbaijan-set-to-buy-iron-dome-from-israel-report/ Thu, 10 Nov 2016 18:54:34 +0000 http://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=1496839 Local media says Israeli-made missile defense batteries to be used by Azeri military, which is in conflict with neighboring Armenia

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]]> Why Uzbekistan’s Jews already miss the iron fist of their late ruler https://www.timesofisrael.com/why-uzbekistans-jews-already-miss-the-iron-fist-of-their-late-ruler/ Thu, 15 Sep 2016 02:07:32 +0000 http://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=1462331 While stability comes at the cost of certain personal liberties, some in the small community of 13,000 prefer it that way

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]]> Uzbek chief rabbi: No worries for Jews after president’s death https://www.timesofisrael.com/uzbek-chief-rabbi-no-worries-for-jews-after-presidents-death/ Sun, 04 Sep 2016 20:27:54 +0000 http://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=1456685 Islam Karimov, who died last week, had 'excellent relations' with dwindling community of 13,000, last remaining rabbi says

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]]> Rivlin sends condolences on passing of Uzbek leader https://www.timesofisrael.com/rivlin-sends-condolences-on-passing-of-uzbek-leader/ Sun, 04 Sep 2016 18:30:37 +0000 http://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=1456545 President notes good relations between Jewish state and the Central Asian nation, long history of Uzbek Jews

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]]> President Islam Karimov of Uzbekistan dies at age 78 https://www.timesofisrael.com/president-islam-karimov-of-uzbekistan-dies-at-age-78/ Sat, 03 Sep 2016 06:24:03 +0000 http://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=1455910 Death of one of the world's most authoritarian rulers raises concerns predominantly Sunni Muslim country could face prolonged infighting

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