Paul Bartlett
Paul Bartlett
@pashab05.bsky.social
Food blogger, journalist and educator based in Almaty, Kazakhstan writing about Central Asia, Turkey and beyond https://paulbartlett.substack.com/ https://knidoscookeryclub.com/
Pinned
Ura! Congrats - looking forward to the launch party!
Coming soon: my new book! Silk Mirage: Through the Looking Glass in #Uzbekistan delves into the politics, economics, history and culture, through my 24 years of experience living in/reporting from/travelling there. Pre-order from Bloomsbury, Amazon or bookshops www.bloomsbury.com/uk/silk-mira...
Reposted by Paul Bartlett
We’re so excited for #SilkMirage by @joannalillis.bsky.social! Only 1 week until publication – pre-order now! 👇

📘 bit.ly/49sAAFA

#Uzbekistan
November 6, 2025 at 3:19 PM
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...
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
asia.nikkei.com
November 7, 2025 at 9:53 AM
The LRT lives! Astana, Kazakhstan
August 7, 2025 at 1:11 PM
My latest for @asia.nikkei.com with Naubet Bisenov on possible pitfalls for Kazakhstan's nuclear plans asia.nikkei.com/Business/Ene...
Critics question Russia's ability to build Kazakh nuclear power plant
Worries swirl over Rosatom selection, as China's CNNC recruited for 2nd project
asia.nikkei.com
July 26, 2025 at 9:20 AM
My latest with @joannalillis.bsky.social for #eurasianet Central Asia: Bringing Afghanistan in from the cold | Eurasianet share.google/xDgtYrry5BRS...
Central Asia: Bringing Afghanistan in from the cold
Stronger ties a win-win for all involved.
share.google
July 8, 2025 at 10:57 AM
Unpacking critical minerals at #CAMCA2025Mongolia
June 20, 2025 at 8:25 AM
Great session on the state of the media in the CAMCA region (Central Asia, Mongolia, Caucasus and Afghanistan) at #CAMCA2025Mongolia
June 20, 2025 at 8:14 AM
Found some topical reading matter!
May 7, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Reposted by Paul Bartlett
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
www.youtube.com
April 30, 2025 at 6:27 AM
Reposted by Paul Bartlett
Диктатураны реформалау мүмкін бе? Өзбекстан туралы «Жібек Мираж» атты жаңа кітабым туралы Азаттық тілшісіне берген сұхбатым (видео) www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaOZ...
Өзбекстандағы өзгеріс: Каримовтің ізі, Мирзияевтің жолы | Джоанна Лиллиспен сұхбат
YouTube video by Azattyq TV - Азаттық - Азаттык
www.youtube.com
April 30, 2025 at 6:31 AM
Reposted by Paul Bartlett
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...
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...
www.azattyq.org
April 30, 2025 at 6:35 AM
Reposted by Paul Bartlett
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...
www.rferl.org
April 7, 2025 at 8:46 AM
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...
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...
www.rferl.org
April 7, 2025 at 8:50 AM
Reposted by Paul Bartlett
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...
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.
www.hrw.org
April 1, 2025 at 7:04 PM
Reposted by Paul Bartlett
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...
Ending Central Asia’s endless squabbles over eccentric borders
Leaders are finally fixing the mess they inherited from the Soviet Union
www.economist.com
April 3, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Shock in Kazakhstan as kumyz and kurt exports to USA hit with 27% Trump tariff #Kazakhstan
April 3, 2025 at 7:33 AM
Spring is sprung!
April 2, 2025 at 11:46 AM
Make time for a Türk brekkie!
March 26, 2025 at 7:30 AM
The brands are muscling in on Nauryz in Kazakhstan
March 24, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Happy Nauryz from #Almaty! Check out KCC's substack for some yummy green pies paulbartlett.substack.com/p/nevruz-bay...
March 21, 2025 at 1:32 PM
I believe it's called al fresco! terrace season opens in #Almaty #Kazakhstan
March 19, 2025 at 8:20 AM
Ura! Congrats - looking forward to the launch party!
Coming soon: my new book! Silk Mirage: Through the Looking Glass in #Uzbekistan delves into the politics, economics, history and culture, through my 24 years of experience living in/reporting from/travelling there. Pre-order from Bloomsbury, Amazon or bookshops www.bloomsbury.com/uk/silk-mira...
March 18, 2025 at 12:16 PM
Reposted by Paul Bartlett