Bruce Pannier
Bruce Pannier is a longtime journalist and correspondent covering Central Asia. He currently writes Central Asia in Focus and hosts the Majlis podcast for RFE/RL. Prior to joining RFE/RL in 1997, Bruce worked at the Open Media Research Institute in Prague. In 1992, he led a sociological project in Central Asia sponsored by the University of Manchester and the Soros Cultural Initiative Foundation. During that time he lived in villages in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Bruce studied at Tashkent State University in the summer of 1990 and studied at Columbia University under Professor Edward Allworth. Bruce has also written for The Economist, Janes Intelligence, Oxford Analytica, Freedom House, The Cairo Review, the FSU Oil & Gas Monitor, and Energo Weekly.
Latest Updates
Central Asia in Focus: Tajikistan Deports Afghan Asylum Seekers
In this week’s edition: Tajikistan deports Afghan asylum seekers, a man who plotted to assassinate Kyrgyz officials walks free after paying a fine, and more.
Violence Against Women Increasing in Central Asia
This year’s edition of the international 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign got under way on November 25.
Central Asia in Focus: Uzbek Authorities Detain 17 Young Men Who Planned to Join ISIS
In this week’s edition: Uzbek authorities detain young men who planned on joining the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group, Kyrgyzstan signs agreement to build its first floating solar electric stations,…
What Do Central Asians Think About China?
China’s presence in Central Asia has been growing for 30 years. China is now a leading trade and security partner, foreign investor, and source of everyday goods available in markets…
Central Asia in Focus: Kyrgyz Authorities Target Another Opposition Party
In this week’s edition: Kyrgyz authorities detained leading members of Kyrgyzstan’s Social Democrats party, a Tajik court extended the prison sentence of Pamiri MMA fighter Chorshanbe Chorshanbiev, and more.
No Safe Haven In Europe For Central Asian Opposition
Tajik opposition activist Dilmurod Ergashev arrived in Tajikistan on November 7, after he was deported from Germany, where he had been seeking asylum since 2011.
Central Asia in Focus: Kazakh Journalists Take Fight for Accreditation to Court
In this week’s edition: the trial of a group of Kazakh journalists started in an Astana court last week, Turkmenistan lost its contract to supply Russia with 5.5 billion cubic…
Diving Deep Into Tajikistan’s Armed Forces
The Oxus Society for Central Asian Affairs just released a detailed report on military and security forces in Tajikistan.
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…
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…
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.
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