Season 3, Episode 2: Kazakhstan and Central Asia from 30,000 Feet (Featuring Joe Barnes)

If you have any interest in this most interesting of regions, lying along the historical Silk Road trade route, this episode is well worth a listen.This week we have a special guest, journalist and author Joe Barnes, currently based in Kazakhstan, who chats with us about the significance of Central Asia, it’s geopolitical evolution since the collapse of the USSR and his upcoming book. Joe, who has the distinction of being one of the few (if not only) journalists to visit all fifteen post-Soviet republics post-Ukraine, will give you a really in-depth look at the various currents and geopolitical forces shaping the region today and tomorrow. Reach out to Joe on his website, X/Twitter, and see his articles for the Diplomat here.The Kazakh Flag is from Wikimedia and can be found here This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe