A “Golden Age” No More? What 2019 Will Bring for Turkmenistan

The name of the official news site of the government of Turkmenistan expresses what might be the closest thing to the sealed-off state’s official ideology: Zolotoi Vek, or Golden Age.…

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7 min
2.2K

Dragon’s Tender Hug: Prosperity Discourse and China’s Soft Power in Kazakhstan

January 15, 2019

Daniyar Kosnazarov Daniyar Kosnazarov is a visiting fellow at The George Washington University. He is also the Editor-in-Chief of Steppe, an independent digital media outlet in Kazakhstan. He has experience…

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13 min
6.3K

Current affairs

Muslim China and “de-extremification” campaign: Interview with Darren Byler, Living Otherwise

September 7, 2018

Thousands of Uyghurs, as well as representatives of other Muslim nations living in China’s Xinjiang province, have faced religious restrictions and persecution by the authorities in recent years. Oppression has…

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7 min
2.5K

Almaty Youth on the Future of the Kazakh Alphabet

August 31, 2018

Over breakfast in my apartment in Almaty, some friends and I were discussing the news. After covering everything from state visits to trade deals, I cautiously brought up the new…

Current affairs

Debating Public Safety in Kazakhstan in the Wake of Tragedy

5 minute read
2.1K views

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8 min
2.8K

Current affairs

Uzbekistan’s Newfound Foreign Policy and its Implications for U.S.-Uzbekistan Relations

May 23, 2018

On May 22, 2018, the George Washington University’s Central Asia Program hosted a discussion of the outcomes of Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s recent visit to the United States and Uzbekistan’s…

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9 min
2.7K

Current affairs

Russia, China, and the US in Central Asia’s Regional Environment

March 27, 2018

The Eurasian landmass is increasingly engaged in a range of ambitious regional economic projects, with the common goal of enhancing trade and growth but displaying competing geopolitical visions. Alexander Cooley, Jeff…

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17 min
6.6K

Current affairs

2018: What is Stirring in Central Asia?

December 18, 2017

Marlene Laruelle Director, Central Asia Program, Associate Director and Research Professor, IERES, George Washington University “The year 2017 has been an eventful one for Central Asia, mostly thanks to Uzbekistan’s…