All masks have slipped (and maybe Musk too). The U.S. withdrawal from civil society support in Central Asia is deeply regrettable, yet it also forces a necessary paradigm shift and creative thinking. If independent media are to survive and even thrive in increasingly hostile environments, a shift from dependency to solidarity is a must. South-to-South collaboration offers a path not just for survival, but for renewal.

A thematic analysis of a Facebook group revealed several recurring motifs that collectively shape a shared sense of nostalgia. The most dominant theme centers on a yearning for the "lost paradise" of the Soviet Union. Many posts express deep admiration for the USSR, often emphasizing how remarkable it was for the 15 republics to coexist harmoniously. In contrast, current geopolitical realities are conspicuously absent: Russia’s war against Ukraine is never mentioned. The sile

Channel One’s task appears to be ensuring that no positive comparison can be made between Russia and Israel.

Human rights and democracy weren’t on the agenda in Samarkand—and, to be fair, they’re increasingly absent from the agenda in Brussels too.

Курс предназначен для начинающих ученых, аналитиков и журналистов из стран Центральной Азии.

Во время пандемии я записал серию курсов для Cabar.Asia :Тонкости публикации в научном журнале и Методы социальных исследований онлайн.

It reinforces the very colonial structures and racist narratives that the US executive upholds and promotes.

What’s missing is Ukraine’s direct voice—not russia’s story or a filtered Western narrative, but a genuine message from Ukraine itself.

I step out of the airport in Sarajevo. The air carries a familiar blend—gasoline, wood-fire, fog, and cigarettes. I feel at home.

'Where to?' - the driver asked. 'To the main attractions!' - we responded. Being a true professional he delivered us to the heart of Zagreb.

‘People are disenchanted with democracy and that’s a global threat.’

This is a place of contrasts marked by extreme poverty and hardship, but also by resilience and creativity.

Look up, look down and look at the walls to notice hidden messages.

We present fascinating dynamics in the broader shifts and granulated nuances of perceptions of China in Central Asia.

I ate the best Turkish doner kebab, some wonderful Tatar chebureki, delicious Korean bibimbap, Dutch cookies, and of course Kazakh besbarmak

How to build your academic profile online and is it even necessary?

We need: south-to-south collaboration, focus on the rural and assessment of digitalization side-effects.

At 38 reality changes once again. The only constant is change (well, and plov).

Our lovely book titled 'Digital Media, Denunciation and Shaming. The Court of Public Opinion' is out!

Sun Valley Art Collective led by Saviour Juma is a growing community of artists who work to empower the new generation in Kibra.

Neglecting to explore how digital transformation manifests beyond big cities imposes a risk on digital newcomers.

There is incredible history to experience in a short trip outside of Bishkek.

Layers of history embedded in the façades. A city of contrasts and coexistences.

Our lovely book is about to be published! The extra good news is, there will be an open-access pdf!

In this presentation, I share the study conducted with IWPR's Cabar.Asia and EUCAM of CESS.

Most of the new posts will have an audio option. Old gems will be recorded over time.

In this video, I talk about finding PhD positions in the Netherlands via the Academic Transfer website.

You cannot battle the evil if you do not adopt decolonial approaches and tolerance. You must be different from the regime.

With a good friend, we walked the rainy night streets. War memory is everywhere - on the buildings, on the ground, and in the discourse. 

One thing is certain. Silence will bring us to gruesome times.

The artists who hoped to continue business as usual no longer enjoy immunity. The regime now comes after their (naked) asses.

Remembering my father, Farid Gabdulhakov

Some thoughts on inclusivity and lack thereof in academia. A ten-minute podcast for RUG library.

Sharing student questions from Kansas State about Uzbekistan.

Our Media Studies students graduated today. I was honoured to deliver a motivational speech for them.

I would like to thank my dear readers for stopping by this virtual choykhona and joining the conversation. All of this is for you!

Thematic groups for "Russia Germans" on Odnoklassniki serve as spaces for spreading anti-EU, anti-Ukraine and pro-Russian narratives.

A video recording of IWPR and EUCAM joint expert meeting: "Investigating the Influence of Russian Propaganda in Central Asia".

We discuss the impact of climate change on Central Asia with a particular focus on Tajikistan’s mountains region of Gorno-Badakhshan (GBAO)

It is time to reflect on publications made in 2023: 2 papers, 1 report, 1 policy brief, and many podcasts. All open access.

The future is absent in Russia’s narrative. This void must be filled to counter its past-oriented vision. Where is Central Asia headed?

It is massive and it works.

Tragically, like all other Russian products, the garbage Kremlin-endorsing humour is also overspilling to Central Asia.

Central Asia has changed. Now there are water shortages even in the north of Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan is buying gas from Russia.

Policy briefs in Kyrgyz, Russian and English: 18 action points for Kyrgyz authorities, donors, journalists, civil society and academics.

It is time for a rural turn in media studies. Join us!

Anticolonial discourses and reflections increased in Central Asia amid Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. At the same time, Russia...

Russia is hijacking decolonisation to shield itself from its colonial past.

I share some personal experiences with finding a PhD trajectory in the Netherlands.

I kick off the first session with a general discussion of whether you should or should not get a PhD. Some cons and some pros.