Central Asia Power Shock: A large-scale blackout hit Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan on Aug 14 after a sudden change in electricity flow across the interconnected regional grid, with Kazakhstan’s energy ministry and KEGOC pointing to generator and high-voltage line disconnections in Kyrgyzstan and protective system triggers; outages were reported in Almaty, Bishkek, Dushanbe and Khujand, and in Uzbekistan’s southern border regions, while restoration work and investigations are underway. Tajikistan Energy Deal: Iran and Tajikistan are set to sign a long-term energy cooperation agreement covering petroleum product exports and crude oil supplies to support Tajik refineries, with a working group to handle technical and logistics details and plans to raise trade volumes. Tajikistan Industry Upgrade: Tajikistan inaugurated a new electrical cable plant in Tursunzoda with capacity up to 3,600 tons of cables annually, aiming to expand domestic production and cut cable imports. Food Processing Pivot: FasterCapital is backing Jahonzeb Sifat LLC’s shift from bulk exports to consumer-packaged, eco-oriented dried fruits and freeze-dried products for retailers across Central Asia. Water & Energy Cooperation: Dushanbe and Tokyo discussed energy and water projects including a new Dushanbe electrical substation and reconstruction of Varzob-2 hydropower, with a focus on investment and technology transfer. Regional Integration Watch: The emerging C6 grouping continued practical talks in Washington on customs, rail, digital trade and Caspian connectivity, signaling faster regional economic linkages.