Brought to you by Karena Avedissian and Anna

Obscuristan

Government EN ↓ 7 episodes

Join political scientist Karena and total civilian Anna on a trip to Obscuristan. Each week, Karena and Anna dive into a truly bizarre story from Eurasia in its full political, social, and imperialist context. Join us, and you’ll find out why Obscuristan isn’t so strange at all when you consider the sh*t it’s been through. Find us on twitter @ObscuristanPodMusic by Sarven Yapar.

Author

Brought to you by Karena Avedissian and Anna

Episodes

Ep. 6: Erased in Artsakh, Edited in Istanbul 22.03.2025 1:01:01

In this episode, I join Elia Ayoub of The Fire These Times to speak with Efe Levent, editor of Mangal Media, about what it meant to collaborate on my article "Thunder, The Rose, and Ethnic Cleansing" about the erasure of Armenian cultural heritage in Artsakh. When a Turkish editor and an Armenian writer come together to shape this story about the ethnic cleansing of Armenians in Artsakh, history b...

Ep. 5: Navalny from the Periphery 15.03.2024 1:09:44

Anna and Karena are ~back~ with special guest Daniel Voskoboynik to discuss the life of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny and what his death means for those of us not quite at the heart of the Russian empire. PLUS a few special announcements about a wonderful new project in the works. Follow us on https://thefirethesetimes.com/ for more updates on that! Music by Sarven Yapar.

Ep. 4: Bolshoi Colonizer Energy 12.11.2022 43:11

Karena and Anna share some gossip on the recent influx of Russian emigres in Yerevan following the War on Ukraine and discuss the pros, cons, consequences, and colonizer vibes that have accompanied them.

Ep. 3: Dictator Decolonization Disco 04.11.2022 46:15

Karena tells Anna about Emomali Rahmon's recent decolonial girlboss moment. Anna encourages him to #quietquit instead. Our hosts also have a chat about what colonial consciousness looks like in Eurasia and what we can learn from talking to each other. Find us on Twitter @ObscuristanPod Produced by Samson Martirosyan. Music by Sarven Yapar.

Ep. 2: Turkmenbashi is a Bad Boyfriend 02.11.2022 42:41

Karena tells us about the life and times of Turkmenbashi I, which brings her and Anna to a discussion about the absurdity of cults of personality, the damage they cause, and the empathy we extend to their victims depending on where they are. Find us on Twitter @ObscuristanPod Music by Sarven Yapar. Production by Samson Martirosyan.

Ep. 1: Pink Top, Tits, and Microphone 21.10.2022 54:31

Anna and Karena discuss the illustrious career of none other than Russian pop-star Philipp Kirkorov, what his path tells us about gay rights in Russia, and why joining the Russian elite is never it, fam. Find us on Twitter @ObscuristanPod Music by Sarven Yapar.

Ep. 0: Keeping Up With the Caucasus (And Why You Can't) 14.10.2022 39:35

Karena and Anna discuss the ongoing conflict in Armenia and tell you a little bit about why you are having the worst time keeping up with any of it. Find us on Twitter @ObscuristanPod Music by Sarven Yapar.