In this biweekly podcast, host Bruce Pannier welcomes expert guests to discuss significant political developments and pressing social issues affecting the nations of Central Asia.
Latest episodes
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1 h 00
Central Asia's New Position In Global Politics
A lot has changed in Central Asia in the more than three years since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The region’s giant neighbors -- Russia and China -- have pl…
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45 min
EU Strengthens Ties With Central Asia
Top EU officials visited Central Asia for the first-ever EU-Central Asian summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. Joining host Bruce Pannier are Terhi Hakala, a diplomat from Finland and…
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41 min
Saving The Caspian Sea
The Caspian Sea is home to many unique marine species and other wildlife. The Caspian Sea Basin is also rich in oil and natural gas. The development of these lucrative hydrocarbon…
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51 min
Tajikistan's Descent Into Despotism
Tajikistan has been acknowledged by Freedom House as one of the worst human rights violators for years, but 2025 has seen Tajik authorities take repression to new levels. Eight for…
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45 min
Human Rights Watch Calls Out 'Worsening' Situation In Central Asia
Human Rights Watch (HRW) just released its annual report about the human rights situation around the world https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2025. The report points to a deteriorati…
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43 min
What Will Trump's Policy Be Toward Central Asia?
We know what U.S. policy for Central Asia was when Donald Trump was president the first time. But the region has changed significantly in the four years since. U.S. forces are no l…
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56 min
Violence Against Women Increasing in Central Asia
This year’s edition of the international 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign got under way on November 25. While Central Asian authorities acknowledge that g…
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53 min
What Do Central Asians Think About China?
China’s presence in Central Asia has been growing for 30 years. China is now a leading trade and security partner, foreign investor, and source of everyday goods available in marke…
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52 min
No Safe Haven In Europe For Central Asian Opposition
Tajik opposition activist Dilmurod Ergashev arrived in Tajikistan on November 7, after he was deported from Germany, where he had been seeking asylum since 2011. Ergashev was immed…
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44 min
Diving Deep Into Tajikistan's Armed Forces
The Oxus Society for Central Asian Affairs just released a detailed report on military and security forces in Tajikistan. The comprehensive work examines the 30-year history of the…
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46 min
Central Asia Pushes Back On Russian Critiques
Russian officials and celebrities have become increasingly critical of the countries and peoples of Central Asia since the Kremlin launched its full-scale war on Ukraine in Februar…
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53 min
Kazakhstan’s Controversial Nuclear Power Vote
Kazakhs will vote on October 6 in a national referendum to authorize construction of a nuclear power plant. In recent winters, Kazakhstan has experienced severe power shortages, an…
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48 min
Russia’s Power Play In Central Asia
Russia’s longtime influence in Central Asia seemed to fade after the launch of its full-scale war on Ukraine in February 2022, as other countries pursued stronger relations with Ce…
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56 min
The Racialization Of Central Asians In Russia
Racialization is the process of viewing a specific people with preconceived notions about them. In Russia, non-Russians -- particularly people from Asia or the South Caucasus -- ha…
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50 min
Decolonizing Central Asia
Russia’s historical legacy in Central Asia has come under increased scrutiny in the region since Russia launched its full-scale war in Ukraine. Many Russians, including officials,…
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37 min
Legislating Fashion In Central Asia
In late June, Tajikistan passed a law on "alien clothing" that bans certain types of Islamic attire, particularly from Arab countries, and some types of Western clothing. Wardrobe…
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48 min
Three Years With The Taliban As Neighbors
Nearly three years have passed since the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan, to the dismay of much of the world. While the Central Asian states were among the countries that…
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57 min
Suppressing Karakalpakstan’s Sovereignty
Two years have passed since violence erupted in western Uzbekistan’s Karakalpakstan Sovereign Republic. In early July 2022, Uzbek law enforcement personnel used stun grenades and t…
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47 min
The Threat Posed by IS-K To Central Asia -- And Beyond
The threat of terrorism is never far from the minds of officials in Central Asia, who know that their region shares a 2,000-kilometer border with Afghanistan. In recent weeks, Taji…
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49 min
The Rise Of The Organization Of Turkic States
Turkey is building up its influence in Central Asia -- as shown by the Organization of Turkic States (OTS). The OTS includes Turkey, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekis…