Temperatures are dropping in Central Asia, reminding everyone that winter is starting.
And this winter promises to be particularly challenging in the region.
Shortages of many essentials seem unavoidable.
There was drought this year, so food will be in shorter supply and the prices for many basic goods will be significantly higher.
The price of oil and natural gas have increased on world markets, so the cost of electricity and heating are going to rise in Central Asia.
And the region’s aging and dilapidated energy network has already shown signs of buckling under the pressure of high demand during periods of cold, bringing concerns about power outages in the months to come.
On this week's Majlis podcast, RFE/RL's media-relations manager, Muhammad Tahir, moderates on the current situation in Central Asian countries while they prepare for winter and what could be in store for them as temperatures continue to drop.
This week's guests are: from Bishkek, Janybek Omarov, an international energy economist; from Prague, Farruh Yusufy, the director of RFE/RL’s Turkmen Service, known locally as Azatlyk; and Bruce Pannier, the author of the Qishloq Ovozi blog.
Listen to the podcast above or subscribe to the Majlis on iTunes or on Google Podcasts.
