The ongoing process of rethinking the tenets of the previous Karimov’s development model in Uzbekistan; expectations for the next stage of the political battle in Kyrgyzstan this autumn; the situation with the growth of labour migration to Russia; the internal challenges the SCO may face in the very near future; the likelihood of great power clashes in the region; Chinese financial policy towards Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan; and the negotiations between the U.S. and the Taliban, including their impact on the peace process and stability of Afghanistan.