The hottest Central Asia Substack posts right now

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KZ: The Kyrgyz Academics Visit Almaty

Castalia • 299 implied HN points • 05 Jan 24
🏝 Travel Cultural Exchange Travel experiences Central Asia
  1. Kyrgyz academics are moving towards using their own language, Kyrgyz, instead of Russian. They believe that their language has a unique beauty that connects nature and people, which is hard to express in other languages.
  2. The journey from Bishkek to Almaty shows the cultural and political differences between Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. There are lots of conversations about identity and the influence of history on their current lives.
  3. The conference in Almaty reveals a complex mix of cultures and influences, from Western pop culture to traditional Kazakh elements, showcasing how Kazakhstan is still figuring out its identity amidst various external influences.

The Bukharan Jews at Dushanbe - Dmitri Logofet, 1913

The Library of Alexandria Ultima • 10 implied HN points • 09 Jan 25
💾 History Cultural heritage Religious history Central Asia
  1. The Bukharan Jews have a long history in Central Asia, existing since the time of the Babylonian Exile. They settled in areas like Dushanbe, which is now the capital of Tajikistan.
  2. In Dushanbe, Bukharan Jews played a key role in local trade and held significant wealth compared to the surrounding population. This sometimes led to tensions and conflicts with local Muslim communities.
  3. Despite facing many restrictions and challenges, Bukharan Jews maintained their unique culture and traditions, distinct from other Jewish communities around the world.

Kazakhstan Defies Vlad

Diane Francis • 679 implied HN points • 21 Jul 22
🌍 World Politics Geopolitics International relations Central Asia Diplomacy Energy Politics
  1. Kazakhstan is standing up to Russia and has openly criticized Putin's actions in Ukraine. This shows that Kazakhstan wants to assert its independence and build better ties with other countries.
  2. Kazakhstan is rich in resources like oil and uranium and is making plans to export its resources to Europe without relying on Russia. They are working on new pipelines to connect to European markets.
  3. The Kazakh leader has been reforming the country and moving closer to allies like Turkey and China. This shift could help Kazakhstan become a key player in Central Asia and beyond.
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The Creation of the Russian Imperial Frontier Guard in the Trans-Caspian Oblast and Mountainous Bukhara - Vladmal, Pogranec.ru, 2008

The Library of Alexandria Ultima • 6 implied HN points • 28 Oct 24
💾 History Military History Central Asia
  1. The Russian Empire established a frontier guard system in Central Asia in the late 19th century to secure its borders with Persia and Afghanistan. This included setting up border posts staffed by both Russian soldiers and local hires, known as dzhigits.
  2. The area was difficult to patrol due to its remote geography and the challenge of controlling trade and smuggling activities. Most of the border remained vulnerable to contraband smuggling because there weren't enough posts.
  3. The health and living conditions for the frontier guards were poor, with many facing sickness and discomfort due to extreme weather and inadequate housing. The government aimed to improve this by planning more permanent structures and medical support.