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: Kazakhstan’s Lower House Passes Controversial Draft Media Law
In this week’s edition: Kazakhstan’s lower house of parliament passed a controversial draft media law, massive dust storms are hitting Central Asia, and more.
Are Tajik Government Policies Helping Create Terrorists?
Can an authoritarian government’s policies contribute to its citizens becoming terrorists?
Central Asia in Focus: Central Asians Targeted in Russia
In this week’s edition: Central Asians are being targeted in Russia, Kyrgyzstan’s President explains the need for a “foreign representatives” law, and more.
Tajiks In Russia Living In Fear After Moscow Terrorist Attack
Russian security forces arrested several Tajik citizens in the wake of the March 22 attack on the Crocus City Hall outside Moscow that left more than 140 dead.
Central Asia in Focus: Central Asian Migrants in Russia Living in Fear after Terrorist Attack
In this week’s edition: Central Asian migrants in Russia are living in fear after the recent terror attack, the Kyrgyz government says it foiled an attempt to assassinate top Kyrgyz…
Turkmenistan’s Search For New Gas Markets
In the first two weeks of March, Turkmenistan has been unusually active in promoting its potential as a natural-gas supplier.
Central Asia in Focus: Doing Business with the Taliban
In this week’s edition: Business relations between the Taliban and Central Asia are blooming, two Kazakh citizens were killed in a Russian anti-terrorism operation, and more.
Death, Detention, Deportation: The Plight of Karakalpak Activists
Karakalpak activists are experiencing problems in Kazakhstan and in Europe.
Central Asia in Focus: Uzbekistan to Spend $500m to Prep for More Russian Gas Imports
In this week’s edition: Uzbekistan will spend $500m to prep for more Russian gas imports, the price of flour and bread jumps in Turkmenistan, and more.
Kloop’s Closure: A Bad Omen For Independent Kyrgyz Media?
A court in Kyrgyzstan ordered the closure of Kloop Media on February 9.
Central Asia in Focus: Kyrgyz Court Closes Down Kloop
In this week’s edition: a Bishkek court ruled to “liquidate” Kloop Media. Plus Kazakh activists are working to be allowed to gather for International Women’s Day, and more.
Huge EU Investment Program Looks To Expand Middle Corridor To Central Asia
On January 29-30, Brussels hosted an Investors Forum for European Union-Central Asia Transport Connectivity.
Central Asia in Focus: Uzbek Politician Calls for Pulling the Plug on ‘Chauvinist’ Russian TV
In this week’s edition: an Uzbek politician calls for pulling the plug on chauvinist Russian TV. Plus the end of Raimbek ‘Milliony’ in Kyrgyzstan, and more.
The Crackdown On Kyrgyzstan’s Independent Media
While Kyrgyzstan’s independent media scene has been slowly deteriorating for two years, January 15 marked a turning point.
Central Asia in Focus: Turkey Pushes Kyrgyz-Tajik Border Deal Forward
In this week’s edition: Turkey pushes the Kyrgyz-Tajik border deal forward. Plus Central Asian states are looking bad in the latest Human Rights Watch 2024 report, and more.
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