String Of Deals Highlights Russia's Waning Central Asian Influence

In a speech at the signing of a historic border agreement between Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan in Bishkek, Uzbek leader Shavkat Mirziyoev heaped praise on his Kyrgyz counterpart, Sadyr Japarov. "I want to tell you that we have no problematic issues. In the 31 years of the independent history of Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, this is the first time there has been this level of mutual relations," Mirziyoev said at his pomp-filled state visit on January 26-27. "I want to give special thanks to my respected colleague Sadyr.... If not for his political will,…