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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.  

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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.

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

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…

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

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…

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

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,…

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

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.

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

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.

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

The Racialization Of Central Asians In Russia

Racialization is the process of viewing a specific people with preconceived notions about them. In Russia, non-Russians — particularly people from Asia or the South Caucasus — have long been…

Central Asia in Focus: Kazakhstan Officially Accepts Credentials of Taliban Envoy

In this week’s edition: Kazakhstan’s Foreign Ministry has officially recognized the Taliban envoy, Russia puts sanctions on the Aga Khan Network, and more.

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

Decolonizing Central Asia

Russia’s historical legacy in Central Asia has come under increased scrutiny in the region since Russia launched its full-scale war in Ukraine.

Central Asia in Focus: Central Asians Face Detention and Deportation in Russia

In this week’s edition: Russian authorities are increasingly detaining Central Asian migrant laborers, Kazakhstan seeks more than $160 billion in a lawsuit over an oil field, and more.

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