This week, we unpack how the C5+1 summit in Washington could reshape Central Asia's security and economic architecture, cutting through the new trade deals and MoUs to gauge their real-world impact. We assess Tokayev's trip to Moscow and what it signals, the Moscow arrest of a major Turkmen power broker, fresh twists in Kazakhstan's election season, viral claims that a foreign power has "pulled out" of the region, and worrying economic signals from Bishkek. Plus, we sit down with a panel of two experts to break down what was actually agreed at C5+1, examining what's substance, what's theatre, and what's likely to stick going forward:

On the show this week:

• Brianne Todd (Atlantic Council)

• Assel Tutumlu (Near East University)

Hosted by Bruce Pannier and Michael Hilliard

Proudly brought to you by The Times of Central Asia, The Oxus Society for Central Asian Affairs and the European Neighbourhood Council.

For more info, please visit:

-The Times of Central Asia (https://timesca.com/) - The Oxus Society (https://oxussociety.org/)

Follow us on Twitter on

- Spotlight on Central Asia (@SLonCentralAsia) - Bruce Pannier (@BrucePannier) - Michael Hilliard (@MikeHilliardAus) - The Times of Central Asia (@TheTimesoCA) - The Oxus Society for Central Asian Affairs (@OxusSociety)

This week, we explore how the upcoming C5+1 summit in Washington could reshape Central Asia's political and security landscape. We'll look at Kyrgyzstan's crackdown on independent media ahead of national elections, renewed clashes between Tajik and Afghan border forces, and Kazakhstan's security services foiling a terror plot in Almaty. We'll also examine Turkmenistan's renewed push to advance long-stalled gas pipeline projects across the region. Plus, we sit down with Efgan Nifti to discuss the growing strategic relationship between Azerbaijan and Central Asia.

On the show this week:

• Efgan Nifti (Caspian Policy Center)

Hosted by Bruce Pannier and Michael Hilliard

Proudly brought to you by The Times of Central Asia, The Oxus Society for Central Asian Affairs and the European Neighbourhood Council.

For more info please visit:

-The Times of Central Asia (https://timesca.com/) - The Oxus Society (https://oxussociety.org/)

Follow us on Twitter on:

- Spotlight on Central Asia (@SLonCentralAsia) - Bruce Pannier (@BrucePannier) - Michael Hilliard (@MikeHilliardAus) - The Times of Central Asia (@thetimesoca)

This week, we explore how the upcoming C5+1 summit in Washington could reshape Central Asia's political and security landscape. We'll look at Kyrgyzstan's crackdown on independent media ahead of national elections, renewed clashes between Tajik and Afghan border forces, and Kazakhstan's security services foiling a terror plot in Almaty. We'll also examine Turkmenistan's renewed push to advance long-stalled gas pipeline projects across the region. Plus, we sit down with Efgan Nifti to discuss the growing strategic relationship between Azerbaijan and Central Asia.

On the show this week:

• Efgan Nifti (Caspian Policy Center)

Hosted by Bruce Pannier and Michael Hilliard

Proudly brought to you by The Times of Central Asia, The Oxus Society for Central Asian Affairs and the European Neighbourhood Council.

For more info please visit:

-The Times of Central Asia (https://timesca.com/) - The Oxus Society (https://oxussociety.org/)

Follow us on Twitter on:

- Spotlight on Central Asia (@SLonCentralAsia) - Bruce Pannier (@BrucePannier) - Michael Hilliard (@MikeHilliardAus) - The Times of Central Asia (@thetimesoca)

Spotlight on Central Asia returns with a brand new season and a closer look at the stories shaping the region. This week, we unpack Kyrgyzstan's snap election announcement and its controversial debate over reinstating the death penalty, major electoral reforms in Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan's latest Caspian gas ambitions, and sweeping changes within Kyrgyzstan's military leadership. Plus, we speak with historian Peter Frankopan, author of The Silk Roads, on why Central Asia is once again becoming the heart of global trade and power. On the show this week: - Peter Frankopan (Professor of Global History at Worcester College) Hosted by Bruce Pannier and Michael Hilliard Proudly brought to you by The Times of Central Asia, The Oxus Society for Central Asian Affairs and the European Neighbourhood Council. For more info please visit: - The Times of Central Asia (https://timesca.com/) - The Oxus Society (https://oxussociety.org/) Follow us on Twitter on - Spotlight on Central Asia (@SLonCentralAsia) - Bruce Pannier (@BrucePannier) - Michael Hilliard (@MikeHilliardAus) - The Times of Central Asia (@thetimesoca) An Oxus Society Production.

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 @MikeHilliardAusFor 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 @MikeHilliardAusFor 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