Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has left Central Asia short of basic foods, notably wheat, that the region regularly imports. People are already worried about worse times to come. This latest trade disruption comes on the heels of the global pandemic and last year’s severe drought. What are the impending challenges Central Asia faces to feed itself?

Trucks carrying sugar and other goods sent from India have arrived in Uzbekistan, the first shipment to travel a north-south trade route that would connect Central Asia to the Indian Ocean. On this week's Majlis, we discuss the prospects for this potentially profitable route and look at what obstacles remain to realizing greater trade from Central Asia to the subcontinent.

On this week's Majlis podcast, we discuss the evolving public positions of some Central Asian states regarding Russia’s war in Ukraine. No government in the region has gone so far as to criticize Moscow’s military campaign, but officials in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are calling for an end to the bloodshed, making clear that they will not recognize the independence of pro-Russia separatist-held areas in eastern Ukraine.

This week's episode features a discussion on how people from Central Asia are ending up as part of Russia's war in Ukraine, and the attempts to recruit migrant laborers from Central Asia as well.

On this week's show, RFE/RL media-relations manager Muhammad Tahir moderates a discussion on how the Russian invasion of Ukraine is creating rifts in societies in Central Asia.

On this week's edition of the Majlis podcast, we discuss how Russian aggression in Ukraine is impacting everyday life in Central Asia.

On this week's Majlis podcast, Muhammad Tahir and guests discuss the cautious public comments made by Central Asian officials regarding Moscow's incursion into Ukraine and the actions of Central Asian citizens in response to the Russian invasion.

On this week's Majlis podcast, RFE/RL media-relations manager Muhammad Tahir moderates a discussion on the ramifications for Central Asia of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent comments about "historic Russian lands" and what the ripple effects will be for new sanctions being imposed on Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine.

Turkmenistan will be having a snap presidential election on March 12 and the winner appears to be dynastic rule. On this week's Majlis podcast, we discuss what Turkmenistan can expect as the presidency looks set to pass from father to son.

Gorno-Badakhshan is a unique region in Tajikistan. People there are distinct from ethnic Tajiks and have lived in the remote mountains of the region for centuries. There have been conflicts there before, some recently, and now people are wondering if fighting is set to break out again.