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Central Asia

Out of Eden Walk: The ethos of Kazakhstan

Out of Eden Walk

Not too long after leaving Tbilisi, Georgia, National Geographic Explorer Paul Salopek wound up the next leg of his journey: across western Kazakhstan. Salopek met horse wranglers, archeologists working with flint metal, Sufi mystics and musicians all along the ancient Silk Road, crossing into Central Asia. Host Marco Werman talks with Salopek about his experiences.

Riot police check spectators' bags as they guard an area at the Oktyabrsky Concert Hall prior to the concert of the rock group Picnic and the symphony orchestra Tavrichesky, in St. Petersburg, Russia, March 27, 2024.

Central Asians in Russia face increased scrutiny, discrimination after mass shooting 

Race
In this photo taken on Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2012, an elderly man sits inside a bus in the station of Moscow, Russia. More and more migrants from the Central Asia are coming come to Moscow in search of work.

Russia’s war creates economic hardships for Central Asian migrants

Ukraine
Many of the Jewish graves in Kyrgyzstan are adorned with Stars of David.

The Jewish graves in Kyrgyzstan are fading. But a small Jewish community continues to thrive. 

History
Sayfullo Saipov, the suspect in the New York City truck attack, is seen in this courtroom sketch appearing in Manhattan federal courtroom in a wheelchair in New York, NY, U.S., November 1, 2017.

No, Uzbekistan is not a hotbed for violent extremism and radicalism, experts say

Conflict
A bike lies in a bicycle lane following a truck attack on the West Side Highway in Manhattan, New York, on Nov. 1, 2017.

Trump bashes immigration and justice system after New York City vehicle attack

Conflict

Donald Trump has lashed out in many directions after Tuesday’s deadly attack in New York City. He even called the US judicial process an international “laughing stock.”

A man walks on the roof of a traditional ger home while fixing the chimney of a coal burning stove on a cold hazy day on the outskirts of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

Mongolian nomads say goodbye to herding, hello to smog

Environment

Climate change is forcing many of Mongolia’s nomadic herders to abandon their traditional lifestyle and move to Ulaanbaatar. That’s making a big smog problem in the city even worse.

President Emomali Rahmon of Tajikistan

Meet Central Asia’s leaders for life

Global Politics

Democracy is a blast when there are no term limits, or age limits.

A teenage horseman practices his draw between rounds of horseback archery. The event, known as "Atchan jaa atuu," requires riders to shoot at targets while at full gallop.

At the World Nomad Games, top athletes compete in horseback archery, eagle hunting and more

Culture

The mission of the World Nomad Games is the revival and preservation of nomadic people’s historical cultural heritage.

Uzbekistan's President Islam Karimov attends a news conference in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on Aug. 29, 2006.

Uzbekistan’s President Islam Karimov is dead

Global Politics

The strongman’s death ends more than 25 years of iron-fisted rule in the Central Asian nation with no clear successor lined up.