An image showing the cover of “Silk Mirage: Through the Looking Glass in Uzbekistan” by Joanna Lillis. Explore one of the world’s most secretive countries in the midst of its struggle to emerge from decades of dictatorship. Publishing 13th November 2025. Published by Bloomsbury Academic.

We’re so excited for #SilkMirage by @joannalillis.bsky.social! Only 1 week until publication – pre-order now! 👇

📘 bit.ly/49sAAFA

#Uzbekistan

Books: Central Asia as a test case for China's new world order 'Backlash' explores how Beijing's Belt and Road ambitions face opportunity and opposition across the steppe

My review of Backlash for @asia.nikkei.com looking at China's growing presence in Central Asia. Good background reading as Trump courts regional leaders in Washington and competition hots up for Central Asia's resources. asia.nikkei.com/life-arts/bo...

The LRT lives! Astana, Kazakhstan

Critics question Russia's ability to build Kazakh nuclear power plant Worries swirl over Rosatom selection, as China's CNNC recruited for 2nd project

My latest for @asia.nikkei.com with Naubet Bisenov on possible pitfalls for Kazakhstan's nuclear plans asia.nikkei.com/Business/Ene...

Central Asia: Bringing Afghanistan in from the cold Stronger ties a win-win for all involved.

My latest with @joannalillis.bsky.social for #eurasianet Central Asia: Bringing Afghanistan in from the cold | Eurasianet share.google/xDgtYrry5BRS...

Unpacking critical minerals at #CAMCA2025Mongolia

Great session on the state of the media in the CAMCA region (Central Asia, Mongolia, Caucasus and Afghanistan) at #CAMCA2025Mongolia

Found some topical reading matter!

Өзбекстандағы өзгеріс: Каримовтің ізі, Мирзияевтің жолы | Джоанна Лиллиспен сұхбат YouTube video by Azattyq TV - Азаттық - Азаттык

Is it possible to reform a dictatorship? My interview with Azattyk on my new book on #Uzbekistan, Silk Mirage, out in November and available for pre-order now on Bloomsbury, Amazon, etc (Kazakh-language video report, with interview in English)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaOZ...

Өзбекстандағы өзгеріс: Каримовтің ізі, Мирзияевтің жолы | Джоанна Лиллиспен сұхбат YouTube video by Azattyq TV - Азаттық - Азаттык

Диктатураны реформалау мүмкін бе? Өзбекстан туралы «Жібек Мираж» атты жаңа кітабым туралы Азаттық тілшісіне берген сұхбатым (видео) www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaOZ...

Өзбекстан қалай өзгерді? Британ журналисі Джоанна Лиллистің жаңа кітабы – "Жібек сағым" Ағылшын журналисі Джоанна Лиллис 2001 жылдан бері Орталық Азия, оның ішінде Өзбекстан туралы жазып келеді. Биыл жарық көретін "Жібек сағым" (Silk Mirage) атты кітабында автор Мирзияев реформаларының а...

What's changed in #Uzbekistan since Mirziyoyev came to power and what hasn't? My interview with Azattyk on my new book on #Uzbekistan, Silk Mirage, out in November and available for pre-order now on @BloomsburyAcad Amazon, etc (Kazakh-language text report)
www.azattyq.org/a/jibek-sagy...

Atomic Secrets: a Chornobyl scientist warns of a toxic future Dmitry Kalmykov is a Ukrainian scientist who has dedicated his life to investigating environmental disasters, first at Chornobyl and now in Semipalatinsk, Kazakhstan – formerly the Soviet Union’s prim...

Nearly 40 years on, fallout from Chornobyl nuclear disaster lingers in Kazakhstan www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Uzbekistan's Silk Mirage: Is Freedom Of Speech Heading 'Back To The Future'? The experiment with greater political freedoms in tightly controlled Uzbekistan has been one of the more interesting trends in Central Asia in recent years. It is also a key theme in a forthcoming boo...

My forthcoming book on #Uzbekistan, Silk Mirage "captures how many who recall the promise of the early Mirziyoev years following Karimov's death in 2016 now see that promise fading" - RFE/RL has a sneak preview. Available for pre-order on Bloomsbury, Amazon, etc www.rferl.org/a/uzbekistan...

Uzbekistan's Silk Mirage: Is Freedom Of Speech Heading 'Back To The Future'? The experiment with greater political freedoms in tightly controlled Uzbekistan has been one of the more interesting trends in Central Asia in recent years. It is also a key theme in a forthcoming boo...

Looking forward to reading Silk Mirage by @joannalillis.bsky.social her new book on #Uzbekistan
Great taster here on how free speech is faring in Mirviyoyev's New Uzbekistan by Chris Rickleton for @rferl.org.web.brid.gy
www.rferl.org/a/uzbekistan...

Karakalpak Lawyer Imprisoned in Uzbekistan Alleges Torture, Again New allegations of ill-treatment and torture by Dauletmurat Tazhimuratov, the wrongfully imprisoned Karakalpak blogger and lawyer, have emerged following a prison visit by his lawyer.

More claims of ill-treatment of Dauletmurat Tajimuratov, described as a political prisoner by rights campaigners, e.g. seizing his food before he could break his Ramadan fast. Very Old #Uzbekistan. Read about his case in my forthcoming book Silk Mirage
www.hrw.org/news/2025/04...

Ending Central Asia’s endless squabbles over eccentric borders Leaders are finally fixing the mess they inherited from the Soviet Union

An "outbreak of reasonableness" in #CentralAsia: "Resolving local squabbles will make it easier for the region to focus on the role it wants to play in the world" - my latest for The Economist on the #Kyrgyzstan #Tajikistan border deal
www.economist.com/asia/2025/04...

Shock in Kazakhstan as kumyz and kurt exports to USA hit with 27% Trump tariff #Kazakhstan

Spring is sprung!

Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan to hold 1st trilateral summit A border agreement involving the fertile Fergana Valley to be formalized

My latest for @asia.nikkei.com on three-way meeting between #Kyrgyzstan #Tajikistan #Uzbekistan with comments from @edwardlemon.bsky.social asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Int...

Make time for a Türk brekkie!

The brands are muscling in on Nauryz in Kazakhstan

Happy Nauryz from #Almaty! Check out KCC's substack for some yummy green pies paulbartlett.substack.com/p/nevruz-bay...

I believe it's called al fresco! terrace season opens in #Almaty #Kazakhstan

Ura! Congrats - looking forward to the launch party!

Opinion: What the Loss of RFE/RL Would Mean for Central Asia - The Times Of Central Asia The decision to terminate the federal grant agreement funding for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) is a crushing blow for hundreds of millions of

Opinion: What the Loss of RFE/RL Would Mean for Central Asia
timesca.com/opinion-what...

Russia: Xenophobic Crackdown on Central Asian Migrants Central Asian labor migrants in Russia have been experiencing increased xenophobic harassment, hate speech and violence, since the deadly attack attributed to Central Asians on Moscow’s Crocus City Ha...

Check out this new @hrw.org report:

“Living in Fear and Humiliation: Rising Xenophobic Harassment and Violence towards Central Asian Migrants in #Russia” authored by @syinats.bsky.social

www.hrw.org/news/2025/03...

Kyrgyzstan And Tajikistan's Border Agreement: Deal Of The Century? Just weeks after a four-day border war in 2022, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov and Tajik leader Emomali Rahmon couldn't shake hands. Now, as they prepare to put a border dispute behind them, they are ...

Thorough overview of the border deal signed today by #Kyrgyzstan and #Tajikistan and what it means for #CentralAsia (spoiler - this is great news!) - by @ChrisRickleton for @RFERL
www.rferl.org/a/kyrgyzstan...

Not a bad view from my home for the weekend! #Almaty #Kazakhstan #mountains #snow

Ğözleme with jammy eggs and salad - recipe on Knidos Cookery Club's substack

Spring's coming to #Almaty #Kazakhstan