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Qishloq Ovozi (Archive)

An anti-war protest in support of Ukraine in Almaty, Kazakhstan, on March 6.
An anti-war protest in support of Ukraine in Almaty, Kazakhstan, on March 6.

Effects from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine are being felt in countries far from the scene of the conflict.

In the countries of Central Asia, which were once part of the Soviet Union along with Russia and Ukraine, the Kremlin’s military campaign is creating divisions among society.

Some support Russia. Some support Ukraine. Some are dissatisfied with their governments’ response to the conflict.

On this week's Majlis podcast, RFE/RL media-relations manager Muhammad Tahir moderates a discussion on how the Russian invasion of Ukraine is creating rifts in societies in Central Asia.

This week’s guests are: from Kyrgyzstan, Asel Doolotkeldieva, a senior lecturer at the OSCE Academy in Bishkek; originally from Kazakhstan but currently in Cyprus, Assel Tutumlu, a lecturer at the Department of International Relations and Political Science at the Near East University in Nicosia; from Prague, Khiromon Bakoeva, a senior journalist in RFE/RL’s Tajik Service, known locally as Radio Ozodi; and Central Asia analyst Bruce Pannier.

How Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine Is Dividing Societies In Central Asia
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Listen to the podcast above or subscribe to the Majlis on iTunes or on Google Podcasts.

Kazakh anti-war protesters take part in a rally in support of Ukraine in Almaty on March 6.
Kazakh anti-war protesters take part in a rally in support of Ukraine in Almaty on March 6.

While the Central Asian governments either walk the diplomatic tightrope trying to stay neutral towards Russia’s invasion of Ukraine or retreat from public comment on the matter altogether, the effects of the conflict are having a severe impact on Central Asia’s people.

Whether it is the decreasing value of national currencies and the accompanying rapid increase in prices for goods, or the realization that several million migrant laborers from Central Asia working in Russia will be sending less money back home this year, or one of at least a dozen other problems caused by hard-hitting sanctions on Moscow, the people of Central Asia are already feeling the spillover effects of their countries’ close bonds with Russia.

On this week's Majlis podcast, RFE/RL media-relations manager Muhammad Tahir moderates a discussion on how Russian aggression in Ukraine is impacting everyday life in Central Asia.

This week’s guests are: from Kyrgyzstan, Asel Doolotkeldieva, a senior lecturer at the OSCE Academy in Bishkek; originally from Kazakhstan but currently in Cyprus, Assel Tutumlu, a lecturer at the Department of International Relations and Political Science at the Near East University in Nicosia; from Prague, Hamid Ismailov, the regional director of RFE/RL’s Central Asian services; and Central Asia analyst Bruce Pannier.

The Spillover In Central Asia From Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine
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Listen to the podcast above or subscribe to the Majlis on iTunes or on Google Podcasts.

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About This Blog

Qishloq Ovozi is a blog by RFE/RL Central Asia specialist Bruce Pannier that aims to look at the events that are shaping Central Asia and its respective countries, connect the dots to shed light on why those processes are occurring, and identify the agents of change.​

The name means "Village Voice" in Uzbek. But don't be fooled, Qishloq Ovozi is about all of Central Asia.

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