Spotlight on Central Asia

This week we take a look at:

- Kazakhstan seizing part of the Russian Space Program
- Bank reforms in Kyrgyzstan
- A Russian governor seeking refuge in Kyrgyzstan
- Mirzioyev announcing a referendum
- Earthquakes in Tajikistan
- A football tournament coming to Central Asia
- Turkmenistan announces snap election
- Ashgabat placing even more restrictions on Exit Visas.

And our deep dive into
- Analysing the Results of the Kazakh Parliamentary Elections

Joining us this week:
-  Aigerim Toleukhavona (Eurasianet)

Follow the show on @SLonCentralAsia
Follow Oxus on @OxusSociety
Follow Michael on @MikeHilliardAus

For more info please visit - www.oxussociety.org

This week we take a look at:

- Sec. Blinken's Visit to Central Asia
- Parliamentary Elections in Kazakhstan heating up
- Kazakhstan's backing of Beijing's "Ukraine Peace Plan"
- The women's marches
- Constitutional amendments being proposed in Uzbekistan
- The son of a Tajik opposition leader being arrested
- Tajikistan infrastructure under scrutiny
- Isreal to open a new mission in Turkmenistan
- Russia is pushing closer energy ties with Ashgabat

And our deep dive into
- Iranian Influence in Central Asia

Joining us this week:
-  Alex Vatanka (Middle East Institute)

Follow the show on @SLonCentralAsia
Follow Oxus on @OxusSociety
Follow Michael on @MikeHilliardAus

For more info please visit - www.oxussociety.org

This week we take a look at:

- Nazarbayev being stripped of his immunity
- A sanctioned Russian businessman buying up a Kazakh airport
- The fight to bring a bank back to Kazakhstan
- A Kyrgyz president being released from prison
- 6 Kyrgyz presidents meeting in Dubai
- Uzbekistan resuming work on the UZB-AFG trainline
- Criminal arrested with radioactive material in UZB
- An avalanche in Tajikistan
- Record numbers of Tajik's applying for Russian citizenship
- The increasing exodus from Turkmenistan 


And our deep dive into
- Gendered Violence in Central Asia

Joining us this week:
-  Tamar Dekanosidze (Equality Now)

Follow the show on @SLonCentralAsia
Follow Oxus on @OxusSociety
Follow Michael on @MikeHilliardAus

This week we take a look at:

- Major policy changes at the Kazakh border.
- Russia forging ahead with plans for a gas network across the region.
- Astana refusing to punish journalists over their coverage of the War in Ukraine.
- Border delimitation progress between Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan.
- Bishkek taking ownership of a new set of Turkish drones.
- Uzbekistan bracing for a series of floods.
- Karakalpak activists being jailed.
- Problems worsening for the Tajik internet infrastructure.
- The cost of living crisis worsening throughout Turkmenistan


And our deep dive into
- The Coup in Ashgabat, the Return of Gurbanguly.

Joining us this week:
- Luca Ancheschi (Uni of Glasgow)

Follow the show on @SLofCentralAsia
Follow Oxus on @OxusSociety
Follow Michael on @MikeHilliardAus

This week we take a look at a political party being registered in Kazakhstan, politicians pushing back against name changes for Bishkeks administrative districts, a former president's trial devolving, the proposal for a natural gas union between three states, trials beginning for anti-regime protesters, big developments in the Tajik banking sector, further accusations of Turkmenistan sanction busting, and we take a deep dive into how the Russian migrants fleeing the draft at home into Central Asia are impacting the stability of the region.  

Joining us this week:
- Yan Matusevich (The Graduate Centre)

Follow the show on @SLofCentralAsia
Follow Oxus on @OxusSociety
Follow Michael on @MikeHilliardAus

This week we take a look at a former Security Services Cheif of Kazakhstan on trial for treason, Russian pressure on Astana to lower the price of grain, Kyrgyzstan cracking down on the free press, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan approving a huge water deal, China stepping up its military coordination with Tajikistan, accusations of the Tajiks getting involved in Ukraine war, and Turkmenistan demand Turkmens return home for the census, whilst also trapping other at home. But first, we turn to the big story in the region this week The Presidential Elections in Kazakhstan and the reelection of Tokayev.

Joining us this week:
- Aigerim Toleukhanova (Eurasianet)

Follow the show on @SLofCentralAsia
Follow Oxus on @OxusSociety
Follow Michael on @MikeHilliardAus

For more info please visit - www.oxusosciety.org

This week we take a look at the row between Kazakhstan and Russia over Ukraine, a new report warning of water problems for the region, a significant shake-up in the Kyrgyz cabinet, a new border deal signed between Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, the cancelling of major Kyrgyz military exercises, a crackdown on contraceptive rights in Turkmenistan, and the Turkmen government ordering millions of dollars worth of cyber security equipment from the EU.

We also take a look at the recent troubles within the CSTO, a Russian version of NATO. After refusing to come to the aid of Armenia and Kyrgyzstan cancelling operations, how healthy is the organisation? 

Joining us this week:
- Richard Weitz (Hudson Institute)

Follow the show on @SLofCentralAsia
Follow Oxus on @OxusSociety
Follow Michael on @MikeHilliardAus

For more info please visit - www.oxusosciety.org

This week we take a look at Kazakhstan pushing back on Russia’s referendum, Kazakhstan is changing the name of its capital, a demilitarisation deal unfolding in the region, Russian troops being pulled out of Tajikistan, persecution of ethnic Tajiks, A Russian payment system being cut off, Turkey cancelling Turkmen visas nationwide, and the fallout from the recent fighting in the Batken region. 

On the show this week:
- Steve Swerdlow (Uni of Southen California)

Follow the show on @SLonCentralAsia
Follow Oxus on @OxusSociety
Follow Michael on @MikeHilliardAus

For more info, please visit - www.oxussociety.org

This week we take a look at women’s protests in Kazakhstan, Nur Sultan suspending arms exports, a teenage blogger arrested in Kyrgyzstan, the Kyrgyz health minister resigning, Mirziyoev appointing new leadership in Karakalpakstan, Saudi Arabia building green infrastructure in Uzbekistan, investment heading into the Pamirs, Turkmen activists being attacked in Turkey, a shopping mall being torn apart by protesters, and military drills kicking off throughout the region. Are these military drills a significant sign of regional power shifts, or just routine training? 

On the show this week:
- Catherine Putz (The Diplomat)

Follow the show on @SLonCentralAsia
Follow Oxus on @OxusSociety
Follow Michael on @MikeHilliardAus

For more info, please visit - www.oxussociety.org

Another busy week in Central Asia. This episode we take a look at Nazarbayev making a rare appearance, Nur-Sultan putting limits on coal exports ahead of a likely cold winter, smuggler tunnels being discovered in Krygyzstan, Uzbekistan blocking Twitter, a stern warning by the Uzbek government for citizens leaving to fight for Russia, a regional chess triumph, Afghanistan paying its bills to one Central Asian country, whilst also refusing to pay another, US-Backed military drills kicking off in the region, and the Turkmen government entering a nearly billion dollar lawsuit against a Belarussian state company. We also take a look at the myriad of smuggling tunnels being discovered in Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, and find out what they are being used for? 

On the show this week:
- Michael Lambert (Pinkerton Risk Management)

Follow the show on @SLonCentralAsia
Follow Oxus on @OxusSociety
Follow Michael on @MikeHilliardAus

For more info, please visit - www.oxussociety.org

This week we take a look at the Kazakh state clawing millions back from associates of former president Nazarbayev, Canada finally stepping aside in the Kumtor Gold mine case, a Kyrgyz kingpin detained on extortion charges, a president daughter fighting to have her assets unfrozen, the Uzbek power grid on the brink of collapse, Tajik women returning from the war in Syria, Dushanbe stepping up their controls on the nations independent press, and a meeting of the five central Asian leaders leading to a regional divide on what to do about Russia. We also sit down with an expert to discuss the recent almost doubling of the Kazakh military budget, and what this may mean for the country going forward?

On the show this week:
- Paul Stronski (CEIP)

Follow the show on @SLonCentralAsia
Follow Oxus on @OxusSociety
Follow Michael on @MikeHilliardAus

For more info, please visit - www.oxussociety.org

This week we look at Kazakhstan being represented in Wimbledon for the first time, a Kyrgyz journalist being charged over coverage of the war in Ukraine, the unrest in Karakalpakstan, and Uzbekistan also introducing a 200,000 som banknote to circulation. Dushanbe's new strategy to end the fighting in Gorno Badakhshan, whilst also banning critical coverage of the country's military draft. And Sedar Berdimuhamedovs cabinet reshuffle, and what this may be telling us about the internal state of the country. We also take a deep look into India's increasing role in the Central Asian region, and what it will be for these nations going forward.

Joining us this week:

- Sahar Khan (CATO Institute)

Follow the show on @SLonCentralAsia

For more info please visit - www.oxussociety.org

This week we take a look at president Tokayev visiting Iran and Turkmenistan, tensions flaring between Nur-Sultan and Moscow, protests in Kyrgyzstan, the Uzbek president seeking constitutional amendments to allow him to seek a third term, US sanctions coming to the region, ongoing chaos in Gorno-Badakhshan, Turkmenistan reopening to Russia, and Putin's first international visits since the start of the war in Ukraine calling a 6th Caspian nations summit.

Joining us this week:
- Temur Umarov (Carnegie Endowment)

Follow the show on @SLonCentralAsia
For more info please visit - www.oxussociety.org

This week we take a look at Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan's new dispute on the Chinese border, additional charges for a former president, the OSCE weighing in on the Uzbek presidential election, smuggling tunnels being discovered, bread prices causing chaos in the region, new battles along the Tajik-Kyrgyz border, and massive water shortages in Turkmenistan. We also discuss how the completion of the Trans-Caspian pipeline could reshape the politics of Central Asia, and the energy markets of Europe. 

Joining us this week:
- Theresa Sebonis-Helf (Georgetown University)

Follow the show on @SLonCentralAsia
For more info please visit - www.oxussociety.org

This week we take a look at Kazakhstan securing agreements with Turkey to produce drones. Workers strikes in Krygyzstan. A US ambassador speaking out against policy in Uzbekistan. Afghanistan looking to Central Asia for electricity. Tensions growing between Dushanbe and the Taliban, and of course the massive protests taking place in Gordo-Badakhshan. We also sit down with esteemed journalist Joanna Lillis to discuss Press Freedom in Central Asia. 

Joining us this week:
- Joanna Lillis (The Economist)

Follow the show on @SLonCentralAsia
For more info please visit - www.oxussociety.org

This week we take a look at a new probe into the death of the Kazakh opposition leader in 2005. The Kazakh president stepping down. Nazarbayev being stripped of his titles. A report finally being released on bride kidnapping. A new controversial eco-city. The Kyrgyz president intervening in court cases. More clashes along the Uzbek border. The Uzbek foreign minister stepping down after his comments on Ukraine, and more COVID troubles in Turkmenistan. We also take a deep dive into Russia's recruitment of Central Asian citizens for its war in Ukraine. 

Joining us this week:
- Sher Khashimov (Freelance Journalist)

Follow the show on @SLonCentralAsia
For more info please visit - www.oxussociety.org

This week we take a look at Kazakhstan reopening its borders, Nazerbayevs nephew giving away a stake in the country's largest telecom, Kyrgyz citizens taking cash payments to go and fight for Russia in Ukraine, an ex-president in a courtroom fight, increasing tensions between Uzbekistan and the Taliban, Berdymukhamedov's first moves as president, remittances plunging in Tajikistan, and the recent border skirmish between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan that left soldiers on both sides dead and wounded. Is this the beginning of a full-scale war between two of the Central Asian republics? 

Joining us this week:

- Peter Leonard (Eurasianet)

Follow the show on @SLonCentralAsia
For more info please visit - www.oxussociety.org

This week we take a look at how Russian and Chinese created disinformation permeates through Central Asian groups, a plot to kill the Kazakh president, the Kyrgyz unveiling their new fleet of Turkish attack drones, 2 men shot dead along the Uzbek-Kyrgyz border, The Kumtor gold mine case finally coming to an end, the Uzbek real estate market going up 15% in a week, the cotton campaign finally proclaiming victory in Uzbekistan, and further tensions in Gorno-Badakhshan.

Joining us this week:

- Perri Grace (Disinformation Expert)

Follow the show on @SLonCentralAsia
For more info please visit - www.oxussociety.org

This week we take a look at internal troubles inside the Kazakh first family, more turmoil in the Central Asian economies, a prison sentence handed down to a Kyrgyz president, gunfire on the Tajik border, the election results in Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan taking a stance on the war in Ukraine, and huge developments in the Uzbek cotton industry. 

Joining us this week:

- Steve Swerdlow (University of Southern California)

Follow the show on @SLonCentralAsia
For more info please visit - www.oxussociety.org

This week we take a look at the Sanctions fears throughout the entire Central Asian region, large rallies unfolding in Kazakhstan, journalists being arrested in Kyrgyzstan, Ukraine recalling ambassadors, Germany seizing an Uzbek billionaire’s mega yacht, Berdimuhamedow junior on the Turkmen campaign trail, continuing unrest in Gorno-Badakhshan, and of course the main story of this week, the Russian invasion of Ukraine and its impact on Central Asian region.

Joining us this week:

- Temur Umarov (Carnegie Endowment)

Follow the show on @SLonCentralAsia
For more info please visit - www.oxussociety.org