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Central Asia in Focus: Russia Continues Sending Central Asians to Ukraine

In this week’s edition: Russia continues to send Central Asians to fight in its full-scale war on Ukraine, the Kazakh government faces criticism over its new media law, and more.

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

The Threat Posed by IS-K To Central Asia — And Beyond

The threat of terrorism is never far from the minds of officials in Central Asia, who know that their region shares a 2,000-kilometer border with Afghanistan.

RFE/RL journalist Alsu Kurmasheva holds children’s drawings sent by her supporters as she attends a court hearing in Kazan, Russia, on May 31, 2024. “Considering that this is probably the only grass and trees I will see this summer, this is priceless," she said. (REUTERS/Alexey Nasyrov)

Journalists in Trouble: Russian Court Extends Alsu Kurmasheva’s Detention for Sixth Time

Russian court extends Alsu Kurmasheva’s detention; Georgia’s “foreign agent” bill becomes law; ECHR rules in favor of RFE/RL; and more.

An undated video still shows Hafiz Saeed founder of IS-K, on ​​the Afghanistan-Pakistan border in January 2015.

Central Asia in Focus: ISKP Members Detained in Kyrgyzstan

In this week’s edition: multiple ISKP members were detained in Kyrgyzstan, a Tajik town lives in fear of mysterious men in black, and more.

Screenshot of the blocking of Azadliq's website.

RFE/RL Applauds European Rights Court Ruling in Favor of RFE/RL Against Azerbaijani Government

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) welcomes today’s ruling by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).

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

The Rise Of The Organization Of Turkic States

Turkey is building up its influence in Central Asia — as shown by the Organization of Turkic States (OTS).

Maulen Ashimbayev appears during his swearing-in as Chairman of the Senate of the Parliament of Kazakhstan on May 4, 2024.

Central Asia in Focus: The Difficult Russian Partner

In this week’s edition: Russia is on the minds of parliamentary leaders in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, Tajik authorities published their updated list of groups that are banned in Tajikistan, and…

Russian-American journalist for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) Alsu Kurmasheva, who is in custody after she was accused of violating Russia's law on foreign agents, holds drawings by her supporters as she attends a court hearing in Kazan, Russia May 31, 2024. Image taken by REUTERS/Alexey Nasyrov.

Russia Extends American RFE/RL Journalist’s Detention for Sixth Time

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) is outraged at today’s ruling in Russia to extend RFE/RL journalist Alsu Kurmasheva’s pretrial detention for the sixth time.

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

Tajik Government’s Crackdown In Gorno-Badakhshan Enters Third Year

Two years have passed since the Tajik government launched its crackdown on residents of the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast, or GBAO.

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