The hottest Central Asia Substack posts right now

The city is built around a large Chinese fortress and adjacent forts that house officials and a garrison, but the fortress is poorly sited and can be easily shelled from the surrounding hills.
The native town is largely Dungan (Chinese Muslim) and there are clear ethnic tensions with the Chinese and Chantuus; Dungan numbers grew after past uprisings, which has made Chinese authorities uneasy.
Trade is lively and mostly run by Dungans while local industry is minimal; the oasis has limited water and agricultural output so grain must be imported, even though nearby mountains hold coal, copper and a petroleum source.

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.
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.
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.

Modern borders of Central Asia do not align with historic regions like Khorasan
Central Asia was a vital trade route connecting East and West Eurasia
Cultural exchanges in Central Asia influenced by historical Silk Road connections

China is facing challenges in exerting soft power in Central Asia due to cultural differences.
China is strengthening economic and security ties with the five Central Asian states.
Common interests such as countering terrorism contribute to the developing relations between China and Central Asian countries.

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.
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.
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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They live well on abundant land and cattle and keep clean. But they are often lazy, drunk, coarse, and morally loose, and they rationalize stealing and violence against non‑Christians.
Their prosperity relied heavily on cheap labor and refugees as well as on taking supplies from local Kazakh/Kyrgyz people. Even after some reforms ended forced requisitions, they still exploited pastures, hay fields, and forests beyond their official rights.
Their practices harmed the local environment and society: orchards were cut for firewood and forests overused, and many settlements had a surplus of men over women. In war they were bold when looting undefended villages but tended to avoid real resistance.

Russia’s move into Central Asia was driven by two goals: political advantage against rival powers and opening new markets, so holding the region’s power center was seen as essential.
Bukhara sits at a strategic crossroads between Afghanistan, Persia, Russia and other routes, making it a major exchange hub that any power can access, so control there determines regional influence.
Russian goods flood the Bukharan market via local middlemen and are often sold so cheaply they undercut native cotton and hurt long-term trade interests, creating pressure to assert direct control—potentially by force—to secure those markets.

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.
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.
Despite facing many restrictions and challenges, Bukharan Jews maintained their unique culture and traditions, distinct from other Jewish communities around the world.

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.
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.
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.

Uzbekistan uses cashback incentives to increase tax revenue.
Businesses in Uzbekistan often keep two sets of bookkeeping records to hide revenue.
The program in Uzbekistan encourages consumers to demand receipts and report businesses to ensure accurate tax submissions.