During the summer of 2022, we spent almost 6 weeks in Central Asia.
We barely made a dent in the region given the very long distances between places, but we gathered enough to be able to tell a version of the story of Central Asia.
To give you an idea: a train ride between Almata (the largest city in Kazakhstan) and Toshkent (the capital of O'zbekiston) takes about 18 hours. A bus ride between Toshkent and Bishkek takes about 14 hours. Also 14 hours are needed to go from south of Kazakhstan to Karaganda in order to learn about the Soviet crimes over there. And we had to move fast, because Karagandskaya Oblast has decent temperatures about 6 weeks a year. In late August it was already cold.
But, at least inside Uzbekistan there's faster rail. Sometimes. If you manage to get a ticket, you can travel 800km in under 6 hours. If not... yet another night goes just for that.
So... with these limitations, in mind, let me introduce you, slowly, to how things roll around here.
Let's explore!
Table of contents:
00:00 - Beginning
02:00 - What is "Central Asia"
17:50 - Geopolitics of Central Asia
21:52 - Kazakhstan
32:16 - Uzbekistan
44:33 - Kyrgyzstan
52:58 - Tadjikistan
01:03:07 - Turkmenistan
Sources:
Deported Nationalities - http://www.faqs.org/minorities/USSR/Deported-Nationalities.html
Ármin Vámbéry - the first European explorer to take a full trip through Central Asia and survive getting back - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%81rmin_V%C3%A1mb%C3%A9ry
(1of4) "Old Man Get Out" - Kazakhstan's Uprising & History - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcDBfDNzpwY
As CSTO Troops Leave, Kazakhstan Faces the Unknown - https://foreignpolicy.com/2022/01/13/russia-troops-kazakhstan-csto/
Analysis: Shocked by Ukraine war, Russian neighbour Kazakhstan looks west - https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/shocked-by-ukraine-war-russian-neighbour-kazakhstan-looks-west-2022-11-17/
"The President said that the implementation of the listening state concept should be a top priority." - https://astanatimes.com/2022/12/president-tokayev-calls-for-immediate-actions-to-tackle-socio-economic-challenges-at-government-meeting/
Kazakh President Tokayev wins re-election with 81.3% of vote - https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/tokayev-wins-kazakh-presidential-election-with-813-vote-2022-11-21/
Forced Cotton-Picking Earns Uzbekistan Shameful Spot In ‘Slavery Index’ - https://www.rferl.org/a/global-slavery-index-uzbekistan-pakistan-worst-offenders/27770928.html
Karakalpakstan: Dazed, confused and angry after deadly turmoil - https://eurasianet.org/karakalpakstan-dazed-confused-and-angry-after-deadly-turmoil
Border disputes of Central Asian countries inherited from Soviets - https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/border-disputes-of-central-asian-countries-inherited-from-soviets/2687809
Kyrgyz Protesters Demand Release Of Border Deal Critics - https://www.rferl.org/a/kyrgyzstan-uzbekistan-border-deal-critics-detained/32098285.html
Tajikistan: Helpless Kyrgyz communities isolated and stranded by border tension - https://eurasianet.org/tajikistan-helpless-kyrgyz-communities-isolated-and-stranded-by-border-tension
Tajik President's Demand For 'Respect' From Putin Viewed Millions Of Times On YouTube - https://www.rferl.org/a/tajikistan-russia-rahmon-youtube-respect/32084773.html
Relatives Demand Retrial For Activist From Tajikistan's Volatile Gorno-Badakhshan - https://www.rferl.org/a/tajikistan-badakhshan-alovatshoev-prison/31837473.html
[2011] Tajikistan cedes land to China - https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-pacific-12180567
[2020] Expansionist China eyes Tajik territory - https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/china/expansionist-china-eyes-tajik-territory/articleshow/77404479.cms
Turkmenistan’s new president is clamping down on women’s freedoms - https://www.economist.com/asia/2022/05/19/turkmenistans-new-president-is-clamping-down-on-womens-freedoms
Turkmenistan Under Serdar: Has Anything Changed? - https://thediplomat.com/2022/07/turkmenistan-under-serdar-has-anything-changed/
Big Almaty Lake frame - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T00olCz7MEc
The Korean language in Uzbekistan | Olga speaking Koryo-mar and Russian | Wikitongues - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjT3DSOZGCg
Dushanbe walking tour - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkbXP7UN7KU
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