Spotlight on Central Asia

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 Turk...

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...

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...

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 apar...

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 Ce...

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...

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...

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...

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 T...

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 Joann...

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 comment...

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...

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 procl...

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...

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 Russia...

This week we take a look at the ongoing fallout from the January protests in Kazakhstan. Japarov meeting with President Xi, Cyberattacks in Kyrgyzstan, a former president's daughter having assets seized, more build-up on the Afghan-Tajik border, a ban on facemasks in Turkmenistan and of course our main story this week to the announcement of snap elections in Turkmenistan. Will we see huge changes...

This week we take a look at new fighting on the Tajik-Kyrgyz border, power blackouts throughout the region, A Turkmen activist being deported back to Turkmenistan from Russia, an explosion in the Turkmen plant, more crackdowns in Uzbekistan, and India hosting a summit with all 5 central Asian leaders. Joining us this week. - Parvis Mullojonov (International Alert Office) Follow the show on @SLonCe...

This week we take a look at the aftermath of recent unrest in Kazakhstan, key figures from the Nazarbayev regime being forced out, a Russian withdrawal, Uzbekistan cutting gas to China, Tahskents new deal with the Taliban, talk of closing Turkmenistan's gate to hell, new lockdowns, a jazz musician being arrested in Krygyzstan, and an MMA fighting in political trouble in Tajikistan.  We also cover...

This week we take a look at the continuing fallout from the nationalisation of the Kumtor Gold mine, Russia's increasing military build-up in Tajikistan, new energy deals being signed in the region, Turkish courts acquitting Turkmen activists, a new Sino-Uzbek vaccine, and fears of the Kazakh energy grid collapsing as the harsh Central Asian winter begins to set in.  We also cover the breaking sto...

This week we take a look at Uzbeks calls for aid in Afghanistan, the continuing fallout from the Kyrgyz elections, Turkmenistan's new gas deal with Azerbaijan, Russia's new project on the Caspian sea, and Tajikistan's leaders family taking even more key positions inside the Tajik foreign office. It has also been 30 years this week since Kazakhstan gained its independence, and to discuss that trans...

This week we will be taking a look at the post-election protests in Kyrgyzstan, boiling tensions in Khorog, crumbling infrastructure in Turkmenistan, a change in leadership in one of the regions biggest gas companies, Nazarbayev stepping down from politics, joint military drills, and a looming regional energy crisis. As well as the changing dynamics of Russias relationship with the 5 Central Asian...

This week we will be taking a look at inflation in Kazakhstan, Afghan pilots being released, more COVID complications in Turkmenistan, Russian interference in Uzbekistan, and the upcoming elections in Kyrgyzstan. The Kyrgyz people head to the polls under an energy crisis, with COVID still rampant. With last years elections leading to a revolution in the country, will the country once again break d...

This week we will be taking a look at Japarov's visit to the GOP summit, Chinas new military base in Tajikistan, Riots in Kazakhstan, a new trade deal for Turkmenistan and calls for election reform in Uzbekistan. We also sit down with the two authors of the brand new Oxus report on how China uses technology to suppress Uyghur communities all over the world, and the chilling methods being rolled ou...

This week we will be taking a look at a number of stories including Kazakhstan's outreach to the Taliban, a Kyrgyz president's criminal charges being reinstated, Rahmon's trip to Paris for further talks on the tensions with Afghanistan, Turkmen activists protesting in Turkey, and of course the big story from the region this week, the Uzbek presidential elections.  Joining us on the episode this we...

This week we take a look at a number of big stories including the ongoing fallout from the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, millions of state dollars disappearing in Uzbekistan weeks ahead of the election, the ongoing COVID crisis in Turkmenistan and a former prime minister being arrested in Kyrgyzstan. As well as the big story engulfing Kyrgyz politics at the moment, the nationalisation of the K...