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Central Asia in Focus: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan Claim to Foil Terrorist Plots

In this week’s edition: Kazakh and Kyrgyz authorities detain people suspected of having ties to terrorist groups, the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention calls on Tajik authorities to…

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

Suppressing Karakalpakstan’s Sovereignty

Two years have passed since violence erupted in western Uzbekistan’s Karakalpakstan Sovereign Republic.

Unraveling The Šmid Death Story

Timothy Garton Ash, reviewing several books on 1989 for the New York Review of Books, wrote that “An erroneous report on Radio Free Europe (RFE) that a student called Martin…

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).

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