Citizens faced punishment from the governor

Throughout 2025, PARADIGMA MEDIA, having analyzed key developments in the Uzbek media landscape, recognized journalists and representatives of civil society who have made a significant contribution to the development of journalism and the media sector in Uzbekistan. Drawing on an analysis of key media developments in Uzbekistan in 2025, the editorial team recognized journalists and civil society representatives whose work contributed meaningfully to the development of journalism and the media sector.The event was held on January 31, 2026, within the framework of the Paradigma Media presentation, with the participation of journalists, civil society representatives, and diplomatic missions in Uzbekistan.

Canadian singer David Carroll, who performed the song “Don’t Fly Wizzness Class” about Hungary’s low-cost airline Wizz Air refusing to let Uzbek citizen Suhrob Ubaydullaev board a plane, has released a message on his Instagram page calling for full support of the track.

An Uzbek citizen has been detained while attempting to smuggle gold jewelry valued at over 5.2 billion UZS (approx. $410,000) into Uzbekistan from Kyrgyzstan, according to a report by the State Security Service.

In August 2025, it will be four years since the Taliban came to power in Kabul. The initial focus of the Taliban after coming to power was on establishing centralized authority in the country, halting poppy bean cultivation, and attempting to govern the country based on Sharia law. The new government also aims to improve the socio-economic situation in the country, pursue stable and pragmatic policies with neighboring states, and achieve international recognition. 

According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), more than 256,000 people returned from Iran to Afghanistan in June alone. Moreover, this number is expected to increase further in July. Large-scale deportations could severely damage Afghanistan’s economy and social structure.

Against the backdrop of this dangerous crisis, with the international community’s attention focused on the direct participants in the conflict, Gaza, Libya, and Syria, it is appropriate to turn attention to Afghanistan, which, despite its peripheral position relative to the region, is also becoming involved in these processes. Israel and Iran seek to expand their spheres of influence both ideologically and strategically. In this context, South and Central Asia, including Afghanistan, are becoming key zones of geopolitical rivalry, especially for Iran.

In the modern era, nationalist sentiment in India has significantly intensified. In particular, representatives of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which retained power in the April–May 2024 elections, are actively contributing to the further strengthening of this nationalist mood. On one hand, the rise of this nationalist policy is bringing India closer to states that are implementing similar systems — such as the United States, many European countries, and Israel — thereby fostering stronger alliances. 

On June 13 of this year, Israel launched a military operation called "Rising Lion" against Iran, marking the beginning of escalated tensions between the two nations in the Middle East. The subsequent involvement of the United States further exacerbated the already complex situation.

Since the start of the Russia–Ukraine war, several European Union countries have shown a significantly increased interest in Central Asia, particularly Uzbekistan. This shift signals a change in the region’s geopolitical balance as well as a new direction in the EU’s foreign policy strategy.

Today, May 19, the Israeli government announced it would once again allow humanitarian aid deliveries to the Gaza Strip. Observers have warned that without this assistance, the region faces an imminent threat of widespread famine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that he is ready to hold direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Istanbul on May 15.

A proposal has been made to include 130 sites located in various regions of Uzbekistan — including the Cabinet of Ministers building on Independence Square in Tashkent — in the national list of cultural heritage sites.

The possibility of Donald Trump visiting Central Asia, in particular Uzbekistan, remains relevant. Although not officially announced, the current diplomatic situation and structural factors contribute to the emergence of such a visit.

From April 21 to 23, 2025, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Serik Zhumangarin, paid an official visit to Kabul, the capital of the Taliban government, where he held a meeting with the Deputy Head of the Afghan Government, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar. As a result of the visit, approximately 20 agreements were signed with a total value of $140 million, marking a significant step in the development of bilateral relations between the two countries.

A total of $313 million of Gulnara Karimova's funds frozen in Switzerland has been returned to the people of Uzbekistan. Of this amount, $95 million was transferred to the Trust Fund established jointly by the governments of Uzbekistan and Switzerland. From these funds, $87 million has been allocated equally between Uzbekistan’s healthcare and education sectors. The remaining funds are still being held in Swiss bank accounts under the supervision of the Swiss government.

Recently, not only Uzbekistan but many other countries, particularly the United States, have started paying more attention to the economic risks and threats posed by China. In Uzbekistan's media and among some civil society activists, opinions are increasingly voiced openly about China being a threat not only economically but also geopolitically. Here, we will examine both the risks and the opportunities that China presents to Uzbekistan.

International relations are currently being shaped by several changes presenting a challenge for policymakers to understand and take measures. The development of world politics is going beyond stability and evolving more chaotically, especially with the return of the Trump administration to the Oval Office. Some changes include the shift of technology to non-traditional centers, the ever-rising gap between ultra-right and ultra-left parties, and the elite struggle, championed by great powers like the US and Russia. 

At the end of 2024, after the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime in Syria, the situation changed dramatically. Turkey is trying to replace Iran’s role in Syria and is seeking to establish military bases in the country. According to a joint defense agreement with Syria, Palmyra, Hama, and the T4 airbase were set to be handed over to Turkey. In recent weeks, these military bases have been inspected by Turkish specialists.

The recent visit of American diplomats to Kabul may signal the first cautious steps towards a possible normalization of relations between the United States and the Taliban movement.

Now, even graduates from classes where the language of instruction is not Uzbek will have to take the exam in the state language, Uzbek. This was announced by the Minister of Preschool and School Education, Hilola Umarova, on her Telegram channel.