Episode 8: A Closer Look at Kyrgyzstan | Asia Society Skip to main content

Unsupported Browser Detected.
It seems the web browser you're using doesn't support some of the features of this site. For the best experience, we recommend using a modern browser that supports the features of this website. We recommend Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Microsoft Edge

  • About
    • How We Work
    • Our Mission
    • Our People
    • Our Board
    • Annual Review
    • Press
  • Events
    • All Upcoming Events
    • STATE OF ASIA
    • A Closer Look
    • Big Picture
    • Book Salon
    • Executive Roundtables
    • Members Get-Together
    • Oxford Debates
    • Talk at the Library
    • Past Events
  • Initiatives
    • Gen A – Young Leadership Program
    • Asia NEXT – Executive Education
    • Call for Applications Curator Residency 2023
  • Editorial
    • All Posts
    • Podcast
    • Explainers
    • Event Recaps
  • Community
    • Become a Member
    • Corporate Membership
    • Patrons
    • Partners
  • Contact Us
  • Support Us
Switzerland
Search
Switzerland
  • About
    • How We Work
    • Our Mission
    • Our People
    • Our Board
    • Annual Review
    • Press
  • Events
    • All Upcoming Events
    • STATE OF ASIA
    • A Closer Look
    • Big Picture
    • Book Salon
    • Executive Roundtables
    • Members Get-Together
    • Oxford Debates
    • Talk at the Library
    • Past Events
  • Initiatives
    • Gen A – Young Leadership Program
    • Asia NEXT – Executive Education
    • Call for Applications Curator Residency 2023
  • Editorial
    • All Posts
    • Podcast
    • Explainers
    • Event Recaps
  • Community
    • Become a Member
    • Corporate Membership
    • Patrons
    • Partners
  • Contact Us
  • Support Us

Episode 8: A Closer Look at Kyrgyzstan

Through the Eyes of a Political Observer

March 10, 2022 — Political analyst Dr. Emilbek Dzhuraev shares his views on his home country Kyrgyzstan and talks about democracy, post-Soviet transitions, and the country's relations with Russia and China. The episode is part of A Closer Look, a series hosted by Asia Society Switzerland with the support of BDO and the Institute of Asian and Oriental Studies of the University of Zurich. The series sheds light on different Asian countries through the eyes of leading local voices. Other episodes in the series cover Uzbekistan, Mongolia, and Pakistan. (59 min., 45 sec.)

Recommendations

Where to go and what to eat in Kyrgyzstan

If you have the possibility to travel off-road, Emil recommends lake Sary-Chelek, "one of the most beautiful lakes" located in between high mountain peaks in Western Kyrgyzstan. His favorite food is plov, a typical Central Asian rice-based dish.

What to read or watch about Kyrgyzstan

The historical novel Broken Sword by a famous Kyrgyz writer from Soviet times, Tologon Kasymbekov, tells a sad story set in pre-Soviet Central Asia, mostly on the Kyrgyz side. According to Emil, it is "one of the most important historical novels that Kyrgyzstanis try to read and make sense of."


Emilbek Dzhuraev

Emilbek Dzhuraev, PhD (University of Maryland), is a political scientist and analyst based in Kyrgyzstan. He has taught in the undergraduate and graduate political science programs at the American University of Central Asia and the OSCE Academy in Bishkek. His research and teaching areas included geopolitics, international relations and security pertaining to Central Asia as well as issues of democracy, state-building and constitutionalism in Central Asia. He is a co-founder and a fellow of Crossroads – Central Asia, a Bishkek-based think-tank.

Simona Grano

Simona A. Grano is Senior Lecturer at the University of Zurich (UZH) and Director of the Taiwan Studies Project at UZH. She completed her Ph.D. in Chinese Studies at Ca' Foscari University of Venice, Italy. She has held research positions and taught China Studies and Taiwan Studies at her alma mater, at the University of Zurich in Switzerland and at the National Cheng'chi University in Taiwan. She has also been a visiting scholar at the University of Hong Kong and is a research fellow of the European Research Center on Contemporary Taiwan (ERCCT), in Tübingen, Germany as well as a research associate of SOAS for the year 2021. Simona's regional expertise centers on the People's Republic of China as well as on Taiwan and Hong Kong. She is the author of Environmental Governance in Taiwan: a new generation of activists and stakeholders, which has been published in 2015 by Routledge. Her new co-edited monograph titled Civil Society and the State in Democratic East Asia: Between Entanglement and Contention in Post High Growth (Amsterdam University Press, 2020) analyzes the dichotomy between civil society and the state in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan.

Other Episodes

  • ACL Thailand
    video

    Episode 15: A Closer Look at Thailand

    Weeks before Thailand goes to the polls, political experts Punchada Sirivunnabood and Kan Yuenyong talk about the campaign and other issues playing out in the kingdom.
  • ACL Nepal
    video

    Episode 14: A Closer Look at Nepal

    Nepal, wedged between superpowers China and India, is trying to find a stable footing and a definitive path to growth after decades of political unrest. Hear from leading Nepalese investor Suman Joshi.
  • A Closer Look at Solomon Islands
    video

    Episode 13: A Closer Look at Solomon Islands

    Solomon Islands, in the southwestern Pacific, is on the front line of big power games between China and the U.S. Hear from seasoned local journalist Dorothy Wickham and leading entrepreneur Jay Bartlett.
  • A Closer Look at South Korea
    video

    Episode 12: A Closer Look at South Korea

    Take a closer look at South Korea, where much more is happening than just K-Pop and threats from the North. Hear from Political Science and International Relations professor Seungjoo Lee and consultant Schoni Song.
  • A Closer Look at Laos
    video

    Episode 11: A Closer Look at Laos

    Dive into Laos, one of Asia's ethnically most diverse countries, and one of its most unknown. Join filmmaker Mattie Do and journalist Manyphone Vongphachanh on a journey through what's happening in Southeast Asia's only landlocked country.
  • A Closer Look Mongolia
    video

    Episode 10: A Closer Look at Mongolia

    The tenth episode of "A Closer Look" takes us to the world's most sparsely populated country, Mongolia. Oyungerel Tsedevdamba and Byambajargal Ayushjav talk about nomadic traditions and modernity, education, and the civil society landscape.
  • A Closer Look Singapore
    video

    Episode 9: A Closer Look at Singapore

    In the ninth episode of "A Closer Look", we zoom in on Singapore. Kirsten Han and Yeo Lay Hwee share their perspectives on Singapore's successes and challenges, its human rights, the electoral system and the city-state's foreign relations.
  • A Closer Look Kyrgyzstan
    video

    Episode 8: A Closer Look at Kyrgyzstan

    The eighth episode of "A Closer Look" brings us to Kyrgyzstan, a mountainous country in Central Asia. Political analyst Dr. Emilbek Dzhuraev talks about the country's road to democracy, post-Soviet transitions, and foreign relations.
  • A Closer Look Philippines
    video

    Episode 7: A Closer Look at the Philippines

    In the seventh episode of "A Closer Look", we explore the Philippines. Mina Roces and Manuel L. Quezon III talk about the Filipino identity, gender roles, family dynasties, and the 2022 presidential elections.
  • A Closer Look Pakistan
    video

    Episode 6: A Closer Look at Pakistan

    The sixth episode of "A Closer Look" brings us to Pakistan, the world’s fifth most populous country. Saad Haroon and Yusra Askari discuss press freedom, the cultural scene, and domestic politics.
About
  • Mission & History
  • Our People
  • Become a Member
  • Career Opportunities
  • Corporate Involvement
visit us
  • Hong Kong
  • New York
  • Texas
global network
  • Australia
  • France
  • India
  • Japan
  • Korea
  • Northern California
  • Philippines
  • Seattle
  • Southern California
  • Switzerland
  • Washington, D.C.
resources
  • Arts
  • Asia Society Magazine
  • ChinaFile
  • Education
  • Policy
  • Video
shop
  • AsiaStore
initiatives
  • Arts & Museum Summit
  • Asia 21 Next Generation Fellows
  • Asia Arts Game Changer Awards
  • Asia Game Changer Awards
  • Asia Society Museum: The Asia Arts & Museum Network
  • Asia Society Policy Institute
  • Asian Women Empowered
  • Center on U.S.-China Relations
  • Coal + Ice
  • Creative Voices of Muslim Asia
  • Global Cities Education Network
  • Global Talent Initiatives
  • U.S.-Asia Entertainment Summit
  • U.S.-China Dialogue
  • U.S.-China Museum Summit
Connect
Email Signup For the media
Asia Society logo
©2023 Asia Society | Privacy Statement | Accessibility | Terms & Conditions | Sitemap | Contact

Asia Society takes no institutional position on policy issues and has no affiliation with any government.
The views expressed by Asia Society staff, fellows, experts, report authors, program speakers, board members, and other affiliates are solely their own. Learn more.

 

 

  • Visit Us
  • Hong Kong
  • New York
  • Texas
  • Global Network
  • Australia
  • France
  • India
  • Japan
  • Korea
  • Northern California
  • Philippines
  • Seattle
  • Southern California
  • Switzerland
  • Washington, DC