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Central Asia in Focus: Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan Snub Russian Organizations

In this week’s edition: Russia fails to induct Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan into two multilateral organizations, a Tajik court sentences two members of the banned political opposition movement Group 24 to…

Journalists in Trouble: RFE/RL President Visits Ukraine, Advocates for RFE/RL Journalist 

RFE/RL President visits Ukraine; EP resolution urges action on political prisoners; Alsu Kurmasheva advocates for her imprisoned colleagues; former RFE/RL journalist Viktoria Roshchyna dies in Russian detention; and more.

Central Asia Pushes Back On Russian Critiques

Russian officials and celebrities have become increasingly critical of the countries and peoples of Central Asia since the Kremlin launched its full-scale war on Ukraine in February 2022 — and…

Central Asia in Focus: Kazakhstan’s Referendum on Nuclear Power

In this week’s edition: Kazakhstan conducted a national referendum on constructing the country’s first nuclear power plant, the court decision in the controversial trial of Kyrgyz journalists is expected soon,…

Kazakhstan’s Controversial Nuclear Power Vote

Kazakhs will vote on October 6 in a national referendum to authorize construction of a nuclear power plant.

Central Asia in Focus: Uzbek Senate Adopts “Undesirable Foreigner” Law

In this week’s edition: Uzbekistan’s Senate adopted the its “undesirable foreigners” law, the role of “Russian Community” Nationalists’ role in raids on migrant communities grows, and more.

Russia’s Power Play In Central Asia

Russia’s longtime influence in Central Asia seemed to fade after the launch of its full-scale war on Ukraine in February 2022, as other countries pursued stronger relations with Central Asian…

Journalists in Trouble: Alsu Kurmasheva Receives National Press Club President’s Award

Alsu Kurmasheva receives National Press Club President’s Award; Andrey Kuznechyk marks 1,000 days in prison; former RFE/RL correspondent dies in Turkmenistan; and more.

Central Asia in Focus: Independent Media Outlets Back Under Pressure in Kyrgyzstan

In this week’s edition: independent media outlets in Kyrgyzstan face renewed pressure from the authorities, Russian politicians support bans on migrant laborers bringing their families to Russia, and more.

The Racialization Of Central Asians In Russia

Racialization is the process of viewing a specific people with preconceived notions about them. In Russia, non-Russians — particularly people from Asia or the South Caucasus — have long been…