Yan Matusevich
@ymatusik.bsky.social
Journalist writing about politics, culture, migration and society in Central Asia and Eurasia more broadly | PhD candidate in Anthropology at CUNY GC | en-ru-fr-de | кыргызча сүйлөйм
Words in @economist.com, @foreignpolicy.com, @eurasianet.bsky.social
Words in @economist.com, @foreignpolicy.com, @eurasianet.bsky.social
Reposted by Yan Matusevich
Sadyr Japarov appears to be on the brink of achieving what none of his predecessors managed: making Kyrgyzstan a personalist autocracy.
My latest for @ceip-politika.bsky.social: carnegieendowment.org/russia-euras...
My latest for @ceip-politika.bsky.social: carnegieendowment.org/russia-euras...
Where Does the Split in the Ruling Tandem Leave Kyrgyzstan?
Despite its reputation as an island of democracy in Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan appears to be on the brink of becoming a personalist autocracy.
carnegieendowment.org
February 18, 2026 at 7:34 AM
Sadyr Japarov appears to be on the brink of achieving what none of his predecessors managed: making Kyrgyzstan a personalist autocracy.
My latest for @ceip-politika.bsky.social: carnegieendowment.org/russia-euras...
My latest for @ceip-politika.bsky.social: carnegieendowment.org/russia-euras...
Tashiev is also still the president of the Kyrgyz Football Union, but his deputy has been prevented from leaving the country, so I expect there to be changes to Kyrgyzstan’s football association leadership as well
After his dismissal, Tashiev, the former head of Kyrgyzstan’s security services, has reportedly again left the country, allegedly to finish medical treatment in 🇩🇪
Meanwhile, arrests and dismissals are ongoing across the entire security apparatus. Tashiev’s men—and relatives—are being cleaned out.
Meanwhile, arrests and dismissals are ongoing across the entire security apparatus. Tashiev’s men—and relatives—are being cleaned out.
February 17, 2026 at 3:13 PM
Tashiev is also still the president of the Kyrgyz Football Union, but his deputy has been prevented from leaving the country, so I expect there to be changes to Kyrgyzstan’s football association leadership as well
Kyrgyzstan’s Constitutional Court has just ruled that Japarov can serve out his full six-year term under the conditions of the previous constitution. Looks like there won’t be any early presidential elections in 2026. His re-election should take place in 2027 for a second 5-year term.
February 17, 2026 at 12:35 PM
Kyrgyzstan’s Constitutional Court has just ruled that Japarov can serve out his full six-year term under the conditions of the previous constitution. Looks like there won’t be any early presidential elections in 2026. His re-election should take place in 2027 for a second 5-year term.
After his dismissal, Tashiev, the former head of Kyrgyzstan’s security services, has reportedly again left the country, allegedly to finish medical treatment in 🇩🇪
Meanwhile, arrests and dismissals are ongoing across the entire security apparatus. Tashiev’s men—and relatives—are being cleaned out.
Meanwhile, arrests and dismissals are ongoing across the entire security apparatus. Tashiev’s men—and relatives—are being cleaned out.
February 17, 2026 at 12:26 PM
After his dismissal, Tashiev, the former head of Kyrgyzstan’s security services, has reportedly again left the country, allegedly to finish medical treatment in 🇩🇪
Meanwhile, arrests and dismissals are ongoing across the entire security apparatus. Tashiev’s men—and relatives—are being cleaned out.
Meanwhile, arrests and dismissals are ongoing across the entire security apparatus. Tashiev’s men—and relatives—are being cleaned out.
Reposted by Yan Matusevich
Under its new education reform, the Georgian government has cut 92% of admissions at the government-critical Ilia State University.
Georgia cuts 92% of admissions at government-critical Ilia State University
The announcement was quickly followed by student protests.
oc-media.org
February 13, 2026 at 2:46 PM
Under its new education reform, the Georgian government has cut 92% of admissions at the government-critical Ilia State University.
Reposted by Yan Matusevich
The more Japarov talks down reports of a rift with his dismissed "friend" Tashiyev and blames others for fomenting divisions, the less convincing it looks. This is far from over, and has potential to sow plenty of instability in #Kyrgyzstan
kaktus.media/doc/540531_v...
kaktus.media/doc/540531_v...
"Все началось в парламенте". Жапаров рассказал, что предупреждал Ташиева о решении уволить
Садыр Жапаров прокомментировал последние события в стране. Он рассказал, почему решил уволить Камчыбека Ташиева, и отметил, что, перед тем как принять решение, предупредил об этом своего друга. А все,...
kaktus.media
February 13, 2026 at 8:10 AM
The more Japarov talks down reports of a rift with his dismissed "friend" Tashiyev and blames others for fomenting divisions, the less convincing it looks. This is far from over, and has potential to sow plenty of instability in #Kyrgyzstan
kaktus.media/doc/540531_v...
kaktus.media/doc/540531_v...
Kyrgyzstan’s deputy prime minister Edil Baisalov comes out with a statement admitting that the Kyrgyz security services (GKNB) had in recent years created “an atmosphere of fear and repression” in the country.
February 11, 2026 at 8:40 AM
Kyrgyzstan’s deputy prime minister Edil Baisalov comes out with a statement admitting that the Kyrgyz security services (GKNB) had in recent years created “an atmosphere of fear and repression” in the country.
Reposted by Yan Matusevich
On the hellish detention and deportation system built by EU countries. With quotes from the current and the former German chancellors expressing their commitment to the inhumane cruelty of this apparatus, described here in forensic detail.
Inside a Detention Site at the Heart of Europe’s Harsh New Approach to Immigration
www.nytimes.com
February 11, 2026 at 8:23 AM
On the hellish detention and deportation system built by EU countries. With quotes from the current and the former German chancellors expressing their commitment to the inhumane cruelty of this apparatus, described here in forensic detail.
Reposted by Yan Matusevich
Kazakh comedian Nurlan Saburov has been hit with a 50 year entry ban from Russia amid tax legal and political controversies leaving his future career uncertain https://ow.ly/qP3f50Ycq5K #Kazakhstan #Russia #Culture #Comedy #Politics #CentralAsia #NurlanSaburov
A Stranger Among His Own: Rejected by Russia, Kazakh Comedian Nurlan Saburov Faces Cold Reception at Home - The Times Of Central Asia
Kazakh comedian Nurlan Saburov has become the third stand-up performer to be officially barred from entering Russia, this time with a 50-year entry ban.
ow.ly
February 10, 2026 at 9:00 PM
Kazakh comedian Nurlan Saburov has been hit with a 50 year entry ban from Russia amid tax legal and political controversies leaving his future career uncertain https://ow.ly/qP3f50Ycq5K #Kazakhstan #Russia #Culture #Comedy #Politics #CentralAsia #NurlanSaburov
Kyrgyz social media is awash with great memes about the likely end of Kyrgyzstan's ruling tandem.
EkiDos (two friends) is a popular nickname for the Japarov-Tashiev tandem, but also the name of a Kyrgyz fast-food chain. Here's a meme showing the chain rebranded as "Bir Dos"(one friend)
EkiDos (two friends) is a popular nickname for the Japarov-Tashiev tandem, but also the name of a Kyrgyz fast-food chain. Here's a meme showing the chain rebranded as "Bir Dos"(one friend)
February 10, 2026 at 8:19 PM
Kyrgyz social media is awash with great memes about the likely end of Kyrgyzstan's ruling tandem.
EkiDos (two friends) is a popular nickname for the Japarov-Tashiev tandem, but also the name of a Kyrgyz fast-food chain. Here's a meme showing the chain rebranded as "Bir Dos"(one friend)
EkiDos (two friends) is a popular nickname for the Japarov-Tashiev tandem, but also the name of a Kyrgyz fast-food chain. Here's a meme showing the chain rebranded as "Bir Dos"(one friend)
Another good write-up on the possible implications of the ouster of Tashiev, Kyrgyzstan's seemingly all-powerful security chief. He was dismissed from all government positions while undergoing medical treatment in Germany
thediplomat.com/2026/02/citi...
thediplomat.com/2026/02/citi...
Citing ‘Unity,’ Kyrgyz President Japarov Dismisses Key Ally, Security Chief Tashiev
The surprise dismissal comes while Tashiev is reportedly out of the country.
thediplomat.com
February 10, 2026 at 8:04 PM
Another good write-up on the possible implications of the ouster of Tashiev, Kyrgyzstan's seemingly all-powerful security chief. He was dismissed from all government positions while undergoing medical treatment in Germany
thediplomat.com/2026/02/citi...
thediplomat.com/2026/02/citi...
As a fellow grad, my heart sank when I saw his email in my inbox. It's all the more painful because Bard has been at the center of so many wonderful educational initiatives (CEU, Smolny, American University of Central Asia, Bard Prison Initiative etc.)
February 10, 2026 at 6:26 PM
As a fellow grad, my heart sank when I saw his email in my inbox. It's all the more painful because Bard has been at the center of so many wonderful educational initiatives (CEU, Smolny, American University of Central Asia, Bard Prison Initiative etc.)
Reposted by Yan Matusevich
On one hand Tashiev was useful in signaling aggression when Japarov needed to project calm as president. On the other, Tashiev’s tough guy act was risky and self serving—see debacle after the 2021 border conflict with Tajikistan, when in the middle of deescalation he brandished a new Bayraktar drone
Big story coming out of Kyrgyzstan: President Japarov just dismissed his second-in-command Kamchybek Tashiev from his position as head of the country’s security services
The two had been effectively ruling in tandem since Japarov came to power in 2021
www.azattyqasia.org/a/33674147.h...
The two had been effectively ruling in tandem since Japarov came to power in 2021
www.azattyqasia.org/a/33674147.h...
Президент Кыргызстана отправил в отставку Камчыбека Ташиева с поста председателя ГКНБ и вице-премьера
Президент Кыргызстана Садыр Жапаров освободил Камчыбека Ташиева от должности председателя Государственного комитета национальной безопасности и заместителя председателя правительства. Соответствующий ...
www.azattyqasia.org
February 10, 2026 at 2:37 PM
On one hand Tashiev was useful in signaling aggression when Japarov needed to project calm as president. On the other, Tashiev’s tough guy act was risky and self serving—see debacle after the 2021 border conflict with Tajikistan, when in the middle of deescalation he brandished a new Bayraktar drone
Under Tashiev, Kyrgyzstan’s security services (GKNB) were transformed into effectively a paramilitary organization that was involved in everything from business, trade and sports. The fact that they will no longer have authority over the border police is very telling.
February 10, 2026 at 2:22 PM
Under Tashiev, Kyrgyzstan’s security services (GKNB) were transformed into effectively a paramilitary organization that was involved in everything from business, trade and sports. The fact that they will no longer have authority over the border police is very telling.
Reposted by Yan Matusevich
Personalist political orders and kleptocratic enterprises are generally more vulnerable to power struggle within than challenges from the outside. What difference will the removal of Tashiyev make to order and enterprise in the Kyrgyz Republic?
substack.com/@havli/note/...
substack.com/@havli/note/...
Has Kyrgyzstan’s power tandem finally broken?
The sudden, shock removal of security services boss Kamchybek Tashiyev raises questions about who really held power, and who still does.
substack.com
February 10, 2026 at 2:06 PM
Personalist political orders and kleptocratic enterprises are generally more vulnerable to power struggle within than challenges from the outside. What difference will the removal of Tashiyev make to order and enterprise in the Kyrgyz Republic?
substack.com/@havli/note/...
substack.com/@havli/note/...
Reposted by Yan Matusevich
Good write up by Pete Leonard: open.substack.com/pub/havli/p/...
Has Kyrgyzstan’s power tandem finally broken?
The sudden, shock removal of security services boss Kamchybek Tashiyev raises questions about who really held power, and who still does.
open.substack.com
February 10, 2026 at 2:02 PM
Good write up by Pete Leonard: open.substack.com/pub/havli/p/...
Japarov has also just signed a document taking Kyrgyzstan’s Border Guards out from being under the jurisdiction of the state security services
Big story coming out of Kyrgyzstan: President Japarov just dismissed his second-in-command Kamchybek Tashiev from his position as head of the country’s security services
The two had been effectively ruling in tandem since Japarov came to power in 2021
www.azattyqasia.org/a/33674147.h...
The two had been effectively ruling in tandem since Japarov came to power in 2021
www.azattyqasia.org/a/33674147.h...
Президент Кыргызстана отправил в отставку Камчыбека Ташиева с поста председателя ГКНБ и вице-премьера
Президент Кыргызстана Садыр Жапаров освободил Камчыбека Ташиева от должности председателя Государственного комитета национальной безопасности и заместителя председателя правительства. Соответствующий ...
www.azattyqasia.org
February 10, 2026 at 1:49 PM
Japarov has also just signed a document taking Kyrgyzstan’s Border Guards out from being under the jurisdiction of the state security services
Big story coming out of Kyrgyzstan: President Japarov just dismissed his second-in-command Kamchybek Tashiev from his position as head of the country’s security services
The two had been effectively ruling in tandem since Japarov came to power in 2021
www.azattyqasia.org/a/33674147.h...
The two had been effectively ruling in tandem since Japarov came to power in 2021
www.azattyqasia.org/a/33674147.h...
Президент Кыргызстана отправил в отставку Камчыбека Ташиева с поста председателя ГКНБ и вице-премьера
Президент Кыргызстана Садыр Жапаров освободил Камчыбека Ташиева от должности председателя Государственного комитета национальной безопасности и заместителя председателя правительства. Соответствующий ...
www.azattyqasia.org
February 10, 2026 at 12:00 PM
Big story coming out of Kyrgyzstan: President Japarov just dismissed his second-in-command Kamchybek Tashiev from his position as head of the country’s security services
The two had been effectively ruling in tandem since Japarov came to power in 2021
www.azattyqasia.org/a/33674147.h...
The two had been effectively ruling in tandem since Japarov came to power in 2021
www.azattyqasia.org/a/33674147.h...
Rent has become so insane in Bishkek that it feels like almost half of my friends there have relocated to Vietnam for the winter (cheaper rent, food and better weather).
I feel like we’re entering a new age of strategic expatriation
I feel like we’re entering a new age of strategic expatriation
February 9, 2026 at 1:09 AM
Rent has become so insane in Bishkek that it feels like almost half of my friends there have relocated to Vietnam for the winter (cheaper rent, food and better weather).
I feel like we’re entering a new age of strategic expatriation
I feel like we’re entering a new age of strategic expatriation
Nurlan Saburov, a Kazakh comedian who made his career in Russia, has just received a 50-year entry ban from Russian authorities. Lots of Schadenfreude in Ukraine and Central Asia because he had systematically refused to condemn the war and continued making good money in Russia.
February 7, 2026 at 5:18 PM
Nurlan Saburov, a Kazakh comedian who made his career in Russia, has just received a 50-year entry ban from Russian authorities. Lots of Schadenfreude in Ukraine and Central Asia because he had systematically refused to condemn the war and continued making good money in Russia.
Reposted by Yan Matusevich
Reposted by Yan Matusevich
INBOX: Washington Post Ukraine Correspondent Lizzie Johnson announces that she has been laid off in the middle of a below-freezing war zone without power, heat, or running water.
February 4, 2026 at 5:11 PM
INBOX: Washington Post Ukraine Correspondent Lizzie Johnson announces that she has been laid off in the middle of a below-freezing war zone without power, heat, or running water.
Reposted by Yan Matusevich
NEWS: The cuts were so severe that at least one department head asked to leave The Post rather than be included in the planning.
Peter Finn, The Post's international editor, requested that he be laid off once he learned about the scope of the cuts to his section.
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/04/b...
Peter Finn, The Post's international editor, requested that he be laid off once he learned about the scope of the cuts to his section.
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/04/b...
Washington Post Begins Sweeping Layoffs
www.nytimes.com
February 4, 2026 at 3:11 PM
NEWS: The cuts were so severe that at least one department head asked to leave The Post rather than be included in the planning.
Peter Finn, The Post's international editor, requested that he be laid off once he learned about the scope of the cuts to his section.
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/04/b...
Peter Finn, The Post's international editor, requested that he be laid off once he learned about the scope of the cuts to his section.
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/04/b...
Reposted by Yan Matusevich
"rich dipshit owner doesn't understand the industry he's bought into and clumsily destroys what made it good" feels less like a narrative unique to the washington post and more like the music that's been playing in the background of all our lives for at least 40 years
February 4, 2026 at 2:53 PM
"rich dipshit owner doesn't understand the industry he's bought into and clumsily destroys what made it good" feels less like a narrative unique to the washington post and more like the music that's been playing in the background of all our lives for at least 40 years