Spotlight on Central Asia

spotlightoncentralasia
  • 4.4 (8)
  • POLITICS
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

A fortnightly podcast offering analysis of Central Asia and its role in the wider world, featuring regional news, insights, and expert perspectives. Hosted by Bruce Pannier and Michael Hilliard. Proudly presented by The Times of Central Asia, The Oxus Society for Central Asian Affairs and the European Neighbourhood Council. For more info and stories, please visit: - The Times of Central Asia (https://timesca.com/) - The Oxus Society (https://oxussociety.org/)

  1. Astana's Military Shake-Up and Brussels' Big Bet in Central Asia

    1D AGO

    Astana's Military Shake-Up and Brussels' Big Bet in Central Asia

    This week, we're tracking a string of developments that could reshape the region's security and political landscape, from a soldier's death in Kazakhstan triggering major shake-ups at the top of the military chain of command, to Russian TV hosts openly talking about invading Central Asia, and Tokayev changing the rules in ways that could make a future Russian intervention easier to justify. We'll also cover an Uzbek citizen being charged in Russia over their alleged role in an attack on a senior Russian military official, and more fighting along the Afghanistan–Tajikistan border. But the main story this week is our interview with the EU's Special Representative for Central Asia, who joins us to explain how Brussels is viewing the region right now and which projects the EU is putting real weight behind across the five republics. And to round things out, we'll finish on Kazakhstan's latest reforms and what they might mean for how the country is positioning itself going forward. On the show this week: Eduards Stiprais (EU Special Representative for Central Asia) Hosted by Bruce Pannier and Michael Hilliard Proudly brought to you by The Times of Central Asia and The Oxus Society for Central Asian Affairs. For more info, please visit: - The Times of Central Asia (https://timesca.com/) - The Oxus Society (https://oxussociety.org/) Follow us on Twitter on - Spotlight on Central Asia (@SLonCentralAsia) - Bruce Pannier (@BrucePannier) - Michael Hilliard (@MikeHilliardAus) - The Times of Central Asia (@TheTimesoCA) - The Oxus Society for Central Asian Affairs (@OxusSociety)

    28 min
  2. Central Asian Workers Under Attack in Russia

    JAN 11

    Central Asian Workers Under Attack in Russia

    This week, we're taking a look at crackdowns on the Uzbek language in northern Afghanistan, a U.S. drone going down in Afghanistan, and the latest political aftershocks in Kyrgyzstan after a former president was stripped of state titles and honours. We'll then turn back to Washington, where new payments and a fresh round of visa changes are reshaping the rules for three Central Asian countries. From there, we'll break down proposals coming out of Tashkent for new border and transit arrangements, before bringing in our special guest to dig into the worsening climate for Central Asian migrants in Russia following brutal attacks in Khabarovsk targeting Uzbek workers. On the show this week: Tolkun Umaraliev (RFE/RL) Hosted by Bruce Pannier and Michael Hilliard Proudly brought to you by The Times of Central Asia and The Oxus Society for Central Asian Affairs. For more info, please visit: -The Times of Central Asia (https://timesca.com/) - The Oxus Society (https://oxussociety.org/) Follow us on Twitter on - Spotlight on Central Asia (@SLonCentralAsia) - Bruce Pannier (@BrucePannier) - Michael Hilliard (@MikeHilliardAus) - The Times of Central Asia (@TheTimesoCA) - The Oxus Society for Central Asian Affairs (@OxusSociety)

    27 min
  3. Retaliation, Raids and Regional Integration,

    12/28/2025

    Retaliation, Raids and Regional Integration,

    This week, we're tracking a packed slate of stories across Central Asia, starting with Trump's invitations for Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan to join the G20, while the rest of the region is left out in the cold. We'll also break down Washington's shift in visa rules for one of the Central Asian republics, before cutting through the latest reporting from the Tajik–Afghan border, where fresh fighting is colliding with longer-running security pressures. From there, we'll take a close look at a recent decision out of Kabul and what it's likely to mean for regional stability going forward, before turning to the arrest of the head of KazTAG in Kazakhstan and the surveillance scandal now unfolding in Uzbekistan, with reports that the personal details of thousands of citizens may have been left exposed. And to wrap it up, we'll examine what actually came out of the latest C5+1 summit in Japan, before then bringing in our two special guests to break down how regional integration accelerated through 2025, and what that trajectory is on the table for 2026. On the show this week: Catherine Putz (The Diplomat) Temur Umarov (Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center) Hosted by Bruce Pannier and Michael Hilliard Proudly brought to you by The Times of Central Asia and The Oxus Society for Central Asian Affairs. For more info, please visit: -The Times of Central Asia (https://timesca.com/) - The Oxus Society (https://oxussociety.org/) Follow us on Twitter on - Spotlight on Central Asia (@SLonCentralAsia) - Bruce Pannier (@BrucePannier) - Michael Hilliard (@MikeHilliardAus) - The Times of Central Asia (@TheTimesoCA) - The Oxus Society for Central Asian Affairs (@OxusSociety)

    30 min
  4. Gas, Grids and Gendered Violence

    12/14/2025

    Gas, Grids and Gendered Violence

    This week, we're unpacking Turkmenistan's Neutrality Summit, a rare moment where a string of big names quietly rolled into Ashgabat, and where the public messaging mattered just as much as the backroom deals. We'll also cut through the noise on the latest reporting from the Tajik–Afghan border, where misinformation is colliding with real security developments on the ground. From there, we'll take a hard look at the results of Kyrgyzstan's elections, what they actually tell us about where Bishkek is heading next, and what they don't, before examining the looming power rationing now shaping daily life and political pressure in two Central Asian states. And to wrap it up, we're joined by two outstanding experts for a frank conversation on gendered violence in Central Asia: what's changing, what isn't, and why the official statistics may only capture a fraction of the reality. On the show this week: Daryana Gryaznova (Equality Now) Svetlana Dzardanova (Human Rights and Corruption Researcher) Hosted by Bruce Pannier and Michael Hilliard Proudly brought to you by The Times of Central Asia and The Oxus Society for Central Asian Affairs. For more info, please visit: -The Times of Central Asia (https://timesca.com/) - The Oxus Society (https://oxussociety.org/ Follow us on Twitter on - Spotlight on Central Asia (@SLonCentralAsia) - Bruce Pannier (@BrucePannier) - Michael Hilliard (@MikeHilliardAus) - The Times of Central Asia (@TheTimesoCA) - The Oxus Society for Central Asian Affairs (@OxusSociety)

    31 min
  5. Diplomacy, Defections, and Drone Strikes Across the Tajik Border

    12/02/2025

    Diplomacy, Defections, and Drone Strikes Across the Tajik Border

    This week, we break down a flurry of developments reshaping Central Asia's security landscape, from the debut of the new C6 format and the surprise expansion of the once-exclusive C5 grouping, to Vladimir Putin's key trip to Bishkek for the CSTO summit. We examine the alarming collapse in Tashkent's air quality, Astana's decision to withdraw from a decades-long arms agreement, and the escalating pattern of cross-border drone strikes between Tajik and Afghan actors along one of the region's most volatile frontiers. Plus, we're joined by two leading China specialists to map out where Beijing's regional strategy is actually heading. On the show this week: Edward Lemon (The Oxus Society for Central Asian Affairs) Bradley Jardine (The Oxus Society for Central Asian Affairs) Hosted by Bruce Pannier and Michael Hilliard Proudly brought to you by The Times of Central Asia, The Oxus Society for Central Asian Affairs and the European Neighbourhood Council. For more info, please visit: -The Times of Central Asia (https://timesca.com/) - The Oxus Society (https://oxussociety.org/) Follow us on Twitter on - Spotlight on Central Asia (@SLonCentralAsia) - Bruce Pannier (@BrucePannier) - Michael Hilliard (@MikeHilliardAus) - The Times of Central Asia (@TheTimesoCA) - The Oxus Society for Central Asian Affairs (@OxusSociety) Check out Edward and Bradley's Book "Backlash: China's Struggle for Influence in Central Asia (New Perspectives on Eastern Europe & Eurasia)" here: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/backlash-9780197840740?cc=us&lang=en& Use discount code ADISTA5 for 30% off

    25 min
  6. Railways, Rumours and a Red-Carpet C5+1

    11/16/2025

    Railways, Rumours and a Red-Carpet C5+1

    This week, we unpack how the C5+1 summit in Washington could reshape Central Asia's security and economic architecture, cutting through the new trade deals and MoUs to gauge their real-world impact. We assess Tokayev's trip to Moscow and what it signals, the Moscow arrest of a major Turkmen power broker, fresh twists in Kazakhstan's election season, viral claims that a foreign power has "pulled out" of the region, and worrying economic signals from Bishkek. Plus, we sit down with a panel of two experts to break down what was actually agreed at C5+1, examining what's substance, what's theatre, and what's likely to stick going forward: On the show this week: Brianne Todd (Atlantic Council) Assel Tutumlu (Near East University) Hosted by Bruce Pannier and Michael Hilliard Proudly brought to you by The Times of Central Asia, The Oxus Society for Central Asian Affairs and the European Neighbourhood Council. For more info, please visit: -The Times of Central Asia (https://timesca.com/) - The Oxus Society (https://oxussociety.org/) Follow us on Twitter on - Spotlight on Central Asia (@SLonCentralAsia) - Bruce Pannier (@BrucePannier) - Michael Hilliard (@MikeHilliardAus) - The Times of Central Asia (@TheTimesoCA) - The Oxus Society for Central Asian Affairs (@OxusSociety)

    31 min
  7. American Outreach, Afghan Shootouts and Azerbaijan's Future in Central Asia

    11/02/2025

    American Outreach, Afghan Shootouts and Azerbaijan's Future in Central Asia

    This week, we explore how the upcoming C5+1 summit in Washington could reshape Central Asia's political and security landscape. We'll look at Kyrgyzstan's crackdown on independent media ahead of national elections, renewed clashes between Tajik and Afghan border forces, and Kazakhstan's security services foiling a terror plot in Almaty. We'll also examine Turkmenistan's renewed push to advance long-stalled gas pipeline projects across the region. Plus, we sit down with Efgan Nifti to discuss the growing strategic relationship between Azerbaijan and Central Asia. On the show this week: Efgan Nifti (Caspian Policy Center) Hosted by Bruce Pannier and Michael Hilliard Proudly brought to you by The Times of Central Asia, The Oxus Society for Central Asian Affairs and the European Neighbourhood Council. For more info please visit: -The Times of Central Asia (https://timesca.com/) - The Oxus Society (https://oxussociety.org/) Follow us on Twitter on: - Spotlight on Central Asia (@SLonCentralAsia) - Bruce Pannier (@BrucePannier) - Michael Hilliard (@MikeHilliardAus) - The Times of Central Asia (@thetimesoca)

    27 min
  8. American Outreach, Afghan Shootouts, and Azerbaijan's Future in Central Asia

    11/02/2025

    American Outreach, Afghan Shootouts, and Azerbaijan's Future in Central Asia

    This week, we explore how the upcoming C5+1 summit in Washington could reshape Central Asia's political and security landscape. We'll look at Kyrgyzstan's crackdown on independent media ahead of national elections, renewed clashes between Tajik and Afghan border forces, and Kazakhstan's security services foiling a terror plot in Almaty. We'll also examine Turkmenistan's renewed push to advance long-stalled gas pipeline projects across the region. Plus, we sit down with Efgan Nifti to discuss the growing strategic relationship between Azerbaijan and Central Asia. On the show this week: Efgan Nifti (Caspian Policy Center) Hosted by Bruce Pannier and Michael Hilliard Proudly brought to you by The Times of Central Asia, The Oxus Society for Central Asian Affairs and the European Neighbourhood Council. For more info please visit: -The Times of Central Asia (https://timesca.com/) - The Oxus Society (https://oxussociety.org/) Follow us on Twitter on: - Spotlight on Central Asia (@SLonCentralAsia) - Bruce Pannier (@BrucePannier) - Michael Hilliard (@MikeHilliardAus) - The Times of Central Asia (@thetimesoca)

    27 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.4
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

A fortnightly podcast offering analysis of Central Asia and its role in the wider world, featuring regional news, insights, and expert perspectives. Hosted by Bruce Pannier and Michael Hilliard. Proudly presented by The Times of Central Asia, The Oxus Society for Central Asian Affairs and the European Neighbourhood Council. For more info and stories, please visit: - The Times of Central Asia (https://timesca.com/) - The Oxus Society (https://oxussociety.org/)

Information

  • Creator
    spotlightoncentralasia
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    40
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © spotlightoncentralasia
  • Show Website
    Spotlight on Central Asia

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