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stephenmbland.bsky.social
Senior Editor & Head of Investigations @timesca.com - author, journalist & expert specializing in Central Asia & the Caucasus.
4 posts 82 followers 174 following
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Posts 49 Comments 1

Tajikistan's elections saw five parties secure seats amid scrutiny timesca.com/tajikistan-a... #Tajikistan #ParliamentaryElections #ElectoralTransparency #Election2025 #TajikPolitics

submitted 23 hours ago • 0 comments

Our @olaskoolkitchen.bsky.social discusses Falconry: a stunning blend of skill, culture, and conservation timesca.com/eagles-herit... #Falconry #BirdsOfPrey #CulturalHeritage #Falconers #CentralAsia #Kazakhstan

submitted 4 days ago • 1 comment

Our @robertmcutler.bsky.social looks at how Turkey and Turkmenistan's gas deal strengthens their strategic partnership timesca.com/strategic-co... #Turkey #Turkmenistan #NaturalGas #EnergyPartnership #GasExports #CentralAsia

submitted 3 days ago • 0 comments

Kyrgyzstan balances its Soviet legacy with a quest for identity and independence timesca.com/kyrgyzstans-... #Kyrgyzstan #CentralAsia #NationalIdentity #Modernization #Independence #KyrgyzCulture

submitted 4 days ago • 0 comments

Uzbekistan and Taliban-ruled Afghanistan are deepening economic ties through trade, energy projects, railway plans, and resource development, despite lingering geopolitical challenges timesca.com/uzbekistan-s... #Uzbekistan #Afghanistan #CentralAsia #EconomicDevelopment #Taliban

submitted 4 days ago • 2 comments

Kazakh activists criticize PACE's declaration as biased against democratic progress timesca.com/kazakh-activ... #Kazakhstan #Democracy #PACE #KazakhstanPolitics #PoliticalRepression #CentralAsia

submitted 6 days ago • 0 comments

EBRD's @ebrd.bsky.social investments in Central Asia are enhancing clean water access and resilience timesca.com/securing-cen... #WaterInfrastructure #CentralAsia #CleanWater #EBRD #WaterSecurity #WaterManagement

submitted 7 days ago • 0 comments

Slavs and Tatars’ 'Simurgh Self-Help' exhibition challenges Western dominance and promotes unity timesca.com/simurgh-self... #SlavsAndTatars #ArtExhibition #ContemporaryArt #Art #CulturalCritique #UnityInDiversity #CulturalFluidity #SimurghSelfHelp #Dubai #TheThirdLine #CentralAsia #Kazakhstan #UAE

submitted 8 days ago • 0 comments

Kazakhstan's foreign agents law sparks debate on media and funding transparency timesca.com/proposed-kaz... #Kazakhstan #ForeignAgentsLaw #MediaInfluence #Transparency #MediaDebate #PoliticalDiscussion #ForeignFunding #CentralAsia

submitted 7 days ago • 0 comments

The contrasting fates of Gulnara Karimova and Dariga Nazarbayeva highlight how differing paternal approaches to power shaped their legacies timesca.com/karimova-and... #Corruption #CentralAsia #Kazakhstan #Uzbekistan #GulnaraKarimova #DarigaNazarbayeva

submitted 7 days ago • 0 comments

A tribute to Dr. Kristopher White by @donnachadcu.bsky.social, a beloved scholar, geographer mentor and educator at KIMEP that shaped a generation of Central Asian academics timesca.com/obituary-kri... #KIMEP #CentralAsianStudies #AcademicLegacy #KristopherWhite #Obituary

submitted 10 days ago • 0 comments

Slavs and Tatars’ 'Simurgh Self-Help' show challenges Western dominance and promotes unity timesca.com/simurgh-self... #SlavsAndTatars #ArtExhibition #ContemporaryArt #Art #CulturalCritique #UnityInDiversity #CulturalFluidity #SimurghSelfHelp #Dubai #TheThirdLine #CentralAsia #Kazakhstan #UAE

submitted 11 days ago • 0 comments

My old friend, Kris White, passed away recently. I've tried to distill his essence (an impossible task) in an obituary published @timesca.com on what would have been his 56th birthday timesca.com/obituary-kri...

submitted 11 days ago • 4 comments

Ukraine's drone strike on Russia's CPC disrupts energy exports and Kazakhstan's energy security timesca.com/ukraines-dro... #Ukraine #DroneStrike #EnergySecurity #Kazakhstan #EnergyExports #Russia

submitted 12 days ago • 1 comment

Russia shifts energy supply focus from Europe to Central Asia timesca.com/right-place-... #Geopolitics #CentralAsia #Russia #EnergyPolicy #EnergyTrade

submitted 12 days ago • 1 comment

Yaka, a Russian brand, faces criticism for alleged appropriation of Kyrgyz cultural symbols, raising concerns over heritage protection and intellectual property rights ow.ly/cKq550V2ETW #CulturalHeritage #IntellectualProperty #KyrgyzCulture #CulturalAppropriation #Yaka #Kyrgyzstan #FashionEthics

submitted 13 days ago • 0 comments

"Once the Ukraine war comes to an end, regional actors in Central Asia will undoubtedly seek to strengthen their political, economic and military positions, aiming to avoid being involved in another Great Game." My latest @timesca.com 🔽 timesca.com/what-awaits-...

submitted 13 days ago • 0 comments

Our @pannierb.bsky.social discusses how Central Asia's drug crisis worsens with synthetic narcotics and youth addiction timesca.com/central-asia... #CentralAsia #DrugCrisis #SyntheticNarcotics #YouthAddiction #CounterNarcotics

submitted 14 days ago • 1 comment

The Russian brand Yaka's alleged appropriation of Kyrgyz cultural symbols has sparked outrage over heritage protection and intellectual property rights timesca.com/cultural-app... #CulturalHeritage #IntellectualProperty #KyrgyzCulture #CulturalAppropriation #Yaka #Kyrgyzstan #FashionEthics

submitted 14 days ago • 0 comments

Overcoming adversity

submitted 14 days ago • 1 comment

Our @robertmcutler.bsky.social discusses how Kazakhstan shows smaller nations' role in Ukraine war diplomacy timesca.com/why-kazakhst... #Kazakhstan #UkraineWar #Diplomacy #ConflictResolution #Geopolitics #SmallerNations

submitted 14 days ago • 0 comments

Trump's suspension of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act raises corruption concerns in Kazakhstan timesca.com/u-s-suspends... #Trump #ForeignCorruptPracticesAct #CorruptionRisks #Eurasia #CentralAsia #Kazakhstan

submitted 19 days ago • 2 comments

Our @nikolamikovic.bsky.social explores how Kazakhstan is leveraging geopolitical shifts and assering itself as a regional economic leader timesca.com/kazakhstan-i... #Kazakhstan #ForeignInvestment #GeopoliticalStrategy #CentralAsia #RegionalLeadership

submitted 19 days ago • 0 comments

Our @pannierb.bsky.social explores the immplications of Turkmenistan and Turkey's gas deal via Iran launching in March 2025 timesca.com/turkmenistan... #Turkmenistan #Turkey #NaturalGas #EnergyCooperation #GasDeal #Iran #EnergyTrade #Eurasia #CentralAsia

submitted 20 days ago • 0 comments

By 2025, Kazakhstan aims to cover 40% of the Aral Seabed with saxaul forests timesca.com/kazakhstan-t... #Kazakhstan #Afforestation #EnvironmentalConservation #SaxaulForests #AralSea #EcoRestoration #SustainableForestry #Eurasia #CentralAsia

submitted 20 days ago • 2 comments

Russian migrants in Kazakhstan face issues, with many returning home due to unmet expectations timesca.com/russian-exod... #Kazakhstan #RussianMigrants #MigrationTrends #CentralAsia #Eurasia

submitted 20 days ago • 0 comments

Our @stepan16.bsky.social explains how The Kyrgyz chapter of the Internet Society connected Zardaly to the world timesca.com/innovative-s... #KGIN #Kyrgyzstan #TechForGood #DigitalInclusion #RuralConnectivity #GlobalConnectivity #Zardaly #Eurasia #CentralAsia

submitted 20 days ago • 0 comments

Musk's call to shut down U.S.-funded media sparks debate on freedom especially in Central Asia timesca.com/elon-musk-ca... #MediaIndependence #ElonMusk #CentralAsia #MediaEthics #MediaControversy #RFERL #VOA #USFunded

submitted 21 days ago • 5 comments

British supermarkets may market "local" produce with patriotic packaging, but much of the labor this food relies on is seasonal workers from Central Asia raising questions about economics & worker rights timesca.com/half-a-world... #UK #CentralAsia #SeasonalWorkers #MigrantLabor #BritishSupermarkets

submitted 21 days ago • 0 comments

Are Trump’s USAID cuts leaving Kazakhstan vulnerable to rivals? timesca.com/usaids-retre... #Trump #US #USAID #Kazakhstan #USPolitics #PoliticalAnalysis #Geopolitics #StrategicRecalibration #Eurasia #CentralAsia

submitted 25 days ago • 0 comments

Our @pannierb.bsky.social discusses how Starlink’s promise dimming in Kazakhstan as the authorities balance internet growth with digital sovereignty timesca.com/the-twilight... #Starlink #Kazakhstan #DigitalSovereignty #TechNews #SatelliteInternet #Eurasia #CentralAsia

submitted 25 days ago • 1 comment

Under Andi Aranitasi's leadership, the EBRD @ebrd.bsky.social boosts Uzbekistan's economy with green energy and SME support timesca.com/powering-the... #EconomicTransformation #GreenEnergy #EBRD #Uzbekistan #GlobalMarkets

submitted 25 days ago • 0 comments

Kazakh MP Abenov proposes criminalizing bride theft in Kazakhstan timesca.com/kazakhstan-t... #Kazakhstan #MuratAbenov #BrideTheft #CentralAsia #HumanRights #WomenRights #Eurasia #CentralAsia

submitted 25 days ago • 2 comments

Kyrgyzstan seeks diversified investments with China to boost its economy timesca.com/kyrgyzstan-r... #Kyrgyzstan #InvestmentStrategy #ChinaPartnership #EconomicGrowth #EconomicStrategy

submitted 25 days ago • 0 comments

Trump's trade policies impact global dynamics, but Kazakhstan faces inflation and economic challenges timesca.com/trumps-trade... #GlobalEconomics #Kazakhstan #TradePolicy #Trump #PolicyAnalysis #Eurasia #CentralAsia #Kazakhstan

submitted 26 days ago • 3 comments

Azerbaijan Airlines crash report raising questions of Russian involvement while recounting external damage and crew's struggles timesca.com/mayday-mayda... #AzerbaijanAirlines #AirlineAccident #AviationInvestigation #Eurasia #CentralAsia #Kazakhstan #Russia

submitted 26 days ago • 0 comments

Our @stephenmbland.bsky.social reports deadly riot at Vahdat Penitentiary leaves 3 dead; toll may be higher timesca.com/riot-in-taji... #PrisonRiot #Tajikistan #VahdatPenitentiary #Eurasia #CentralAsia

submitted 27 days ago • 0 comments

Uzbekistan is addressing air pollution and the Aral Sea crisis with innovative projects and global partnerships for sustainable growth by 2030 timesca.com/turning-the-... #Uzbekistan #SustainableDevelopment #EnvironmentalAwareness #AirPollution #AralSea

submitted 28 days ago • 0 comments

Interview with Andrew McConnell's on his book, Some Worlds Have Two Suns captures an extraordinary juxtaposition of ancient culture and space in the remote Kazakh Steppe timesca.com/grounding-th... #AndrewMcConnell #SomeWorldsHaveTwoSuns #KazakhSteppe #CulturalExploration #Space #BookDiscussion

submitted 28 days ago • 0 comments

"Dushanbe is aiming to significantly strengthen bilateral ties with Tehran, hoping that such a move will have a positive impact on its economy; but what are the Islamic Republic’s interests in Tajikistan?" My latest @timesca.com 🔽 timesca.com/whats-drivin...

submitted 32 days ago • 0 comments

EU Sanctions Envoy David O’Sullivan's visit to Kazakhstan underscores Central Asia's growing geopolitical significance timesca.com/eu-sanctions... #CentralAsia #Kazakhstan #Geopolitics #Sanctions #StrategicPartnerships #EUSanctions

submitted 32 days ago • 0 comments

Our @nikolamikovic.bsky.social discusses how Tajikistan is enhancing ties with Iran for economic growth timesca.com/whats-drivin... #Tajikistan #Iran #EconomicCollaboration #CentralAsia #InternationalRelations #TajikEconomy

submitted 32 days ago • 0 comments

Challenges for LGBTQ+ in Kazakhstan persist, but hope grows among youth timesca.com/hidden-but-b... #LGBTQRights #LGBTQKazakhstan #AlmatyPride #LGBTQCommunity #LoveIsLove #LGBTQYouth #Eurasia #CentralAsia #Kazakhstan #Almaty

submitted 32 days ago • 0 comments

Kyrgyzstan has urged its citizens in the U.S. to strictly follow immigration laws as Chicago's growing Kyrgyz community faces heightened deportation risks under new federal policies. timesca.com/kyrgyzstan-c... #Kyrgyzstan #Immigration #ImmigrationPolicy #USA #DeportationRisks #Chicago

submitted 34 days ago • 0 comments

U.S. aid freeze puts Kazakhstan's NGOs in jeopardy, halting key projects and leaving the sector's future uncertain. #Trump #USAID #NGO #Kazakhstan #USAidFreeze #CentralAsia #Environment timesca.com/u-s-aid-free...

submitted 34 days ago • 3 comments

Uzbekistan Airways reroutes Europe flights via Azerbaijan and Turkey, skipping Russian and Belarusian airspace for safer skies. #RussianAirspace #Russia #Uzbekistan #CentralAsia #Safety #Belarus #CivilAviation timesca.com/uzbekistan-a...

submitted 34 days ago • 0 comments

The malaise behind Qatargate may stretch to Central Asia, where EP backing for figures like Karim Massimov and Mukhtar Ablyazov raise concerns about officials weaponizing human rights for personal and political gain. bit.ly/40Oy0VF #CentralAsia #EuropeanParliament #Ablyazov #Khrapunov

submitted 36 days ago • 0 comments

Gender inequality persists in Kyrgyzstan, limiting women's independence timesca.com/gender-inequ... #GenderInequality #Kyrgyzstan #WomenInKyrgyzstan #WomenRights #CulturalChange #Eurasia #CentralAsia

submitted 38 days ago • 1 comment

Our @stephenmbland.bsky.social discusses how the EU needs a nuanced approach to Central Asia for real reform timesca.com/does-the-eur... #CentralAsia #EuropeanParliament #PolicyReform #Diplomacy #Geopolitics #PoliticalStrategy

submitted 39 days ago • 0 comments