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An image of the logo for the Majlis Podcast, which focus on Central Asian issues

How Distant Wars Impact Central Asia

Geographically, Central Asia is located a comfortable distance away from the wars in the Caucasus, Ukraine, and the Middle East, but these conflicts affect the region.

Funerals for miners killed in a coal mine explosion in coal mine named after Ivan Kostenko of ArcelorMittal Temirtau company. Al Mashani Mosque in Karaganda, Kazakhstan on Oct. 30, 2023. Nurgul Tapaeva (RFE/RL).

Central Asia in Focus: Kyrgyzstan Falling Deeper in Debt to China

In this week’s edition: Kyrgyzstan is falling deeper in debt to China, Kazakhstan’s latest mining accident, the UN presses Tajikistan on imprisoned rights defenders, and more.

An image of the logo for the Majlis Podcast, which focus on Central Asian issues

Kyrgyzstan’s Draft Laws Push Independent Media, Civil Society To The Edge

On October 25, Kyrgyzstan’s draft law on noncommercial organizations was adopted by parliament in its first reading.

A Central Asian labor migrant filling out a military registration card in Russia. (Social media).

Central Asia in Focus: Russia Wants Central Asian Migrants to Serve in Ukraine

In this week’s edition: Russia wants Central Asian migrants to serve in Ukraine, a debate on morality in the Kyrgyz Parliament, the challenge of kleptocracy in Central Asia, and more.

Briefly… Rikard Jozwiak on Covering the EU, NATO, and Russia’s War on Ukraine

Europe Editor Rikard Jozwiak talks about what Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine means for his coverage of the EU, NATO, and more.

An image of the logo for the Majlis Podcast, which focus on Central Asian issues

Can Sanctions Work Against Central Asian Kleptocracies?

It’s no secret that kleptocracy is a problem in every Central Asian country.

Alsu Kurmasheva

RFE/RL Condemns Detention of Journalist Alsu Kurmasheva in Russia

On October 18, authorities in Kazan, Russia, detained Alsu Kurmasheva, an editor with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s (RFE/RL) Tatar-Bashkir Service.

Taliban-led excavation works for the Qosh Tepa canal project in Afghanistan. (Video grab from Afghan Television/THINK).

Central Asia in Focus: Taliban Mark Milestone in Controversial Canal Project

In this week’s edition: Taliban mark milestone in controversial canal project, the UN calls on Kyrgyzstan not to pass the “foreign representatives” law, Russia wants Kazakhstan to hand over a…

President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of Russia Vladimir Putin, and President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyaev (from left to right) at the opening ceremony of Russian gas supplies to Uzbekistan through the territory of Kazakhstan on Oct. 7, 2023. Akorda.kz (Public Domain).

Central Asia in Focus: Russia Starts Shipping Gas to Uzbekistan

In this week’s edition: Russia starts shipping gas to Uzbekistan; Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan send aid for Afghan earthquake victims; corruption in Tajikistan; and more.

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