Spotlight on Central Asia

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

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 worth of cyber security equipment from the EU. We also take a look at the recent troubles within the CSTO, a Russian version of NATO. After refusing to come to the aid of Armenia and Kyrgyzstan cancelling operations, how healthy is the organisation? Joining us this week: - Richard Weitz (Hudson Institute) Follow the show on @SLofCentralAsia Follow Oxus on @OxusSociety Follow Michael on @MikeHilliardAus For more info please visit - www.oxusosciety.org

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 the show this week: - Steve Swerdlow (Uni of Southen California) Follow the show on @SLonCentralAsia Follow Oxus on @OxusSociety Follow Michael on @MikeHilliardAus For more info, please visit - www.oxussociety.org

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 apart by protesters, and military drills kicking off throughout the region. Are these military drills a significant sign of regional power shifts, or just routine training?

On the show this week: - Catherine Putz (The Diplomat) Follow the show on @SLonCentralAsia Follow Oxus on @OxusSociety Follow Michael on @MikeHilliardAus For more info, please visit - www.oxussociety.org

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 Central Asian country, whilst also refusing to pay another, US-Backed military drills kicking off in the region, and the Turkmen government entering a nearly billion dollar lawsuit against a Belarussian state company. We also take a look at the myriad of smuggling tunnels being discovered in Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, and find out what they are being used for? On the show this week: - Michael Lambert (Pinkerton Risk Management) Follow the show on @SLonCentralAsia Follow Oxus on @OxusSociety Follow Michael on @MikeHilliardAus For more info, please visit - www.oxussociety.org

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 controls on the nations independent press, and a meeting of the five central Asian leaders leading to a regional divide on what to do about Russia. We also sit down with an expert to discuss the recent almost doubling of the Kazakh military budget, and what this may mean for the country going forward? On the show this week: - Paul Stronski (CEIP) Follow the show on @SLonCentralAsia Follow Oxus on @OxusSociety Follow Michael on @MikeHilliardAus For more info, please visit - www.oxussociety.org

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 Berdimuhamedovs cabinet reshuffle, and what this may be telling us about the internal state of the country. We also take a deep look into India's increasing role in the Central Asian region, and what it will be for these nations going forward.

Joining us this week:

- Sahar Khan (CATO Institute)

Follow the show on @SLonCentralAsia

For more info please visit - www.oxussociety.org

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 the war in Ukraine calling a 6th Caspian nations summit. Joining us this week: - Temur Umarov (Carnegie Endowment) Follow the show on @SLonCentralAsia For more info please visit - www.oxussociety.org

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 Trans-Caspian pipeline could reshape the politics of Central Asia, and the energy markets of Europe.

Joining us this week: - Theresa Sebonis-Helf (Georgetown University) Follow the show on @SLonCentralAsia For more info please visit - www.oxussociety.org