Since Russia launched a full-scale war in Ukraine, Russia’s historical legacy in Central Asia has come under increasing scrutiny in the region. Many Russians, including officials, argue, and in some cases strongly argue, that Russia’s colonization of Central Asia was beneficial for the region. Increasingly, people in Central Asia are coming to different conclusions as they reassess their time under Russian and Soviet rule and think about what Central Asian-Russian relations should be going forward. To discuss the issue, host Bruce Panier will be joined by guests Erica Marat, a professor of political science at the National Defense University in Washington and a Central Asia expert from Kyrgyzstan; Diana Kudaibergen, a political sociologist from Cambridge University who will be attending University College London this fall; and Azamat Junisbai, a sociologist and professor at Pitzer College in Claremont, California. Both Kudaibergen and Junisbai are from Kazakhstan.
