Navigated to Railways, Rumours and a Red-Carpet C5+1

Railways, Rumours and a Red-Carpet C5+1

Nov 16, 2025
31 mins

Episode Description

This week, we unpack how the C5+1 summit in Washington could reshape Central Asia's security and economic architecture, cutting through the new trade deals and MoUs to gauge their real-world impact. We assess Tokayev's trip to Moscow and what it signals, the Moscow arrest of a major Turkmen power broker, fresh twists in Kazakhstan's election season, viral claims that a foreign power has "pulled out" of the region, and worrying economic signals from Bishkek. Plus, we sit down with a panel of two experts to break down what was actually agreed at C5+1, examining what's substance, what's theatre, and what's likely to stick going forward:

On the show this week:

  • Brianne Todd (Atlantic Council)

  • Assel Tutumlu (Near East University)

Hosted by Bruce Pannier and Michael Hilliard

Proudly brought to you by The Times of Central Asia, The Oxus Society for Central Asian Affairs and the European Neighbourhood Council.

For more info, please visit:

-The Times of Central Asia (https://timesca.com/)
- The Oxus Society (https://oxussociety.org/)

Follow us on Twitter on

- Spotlight on Central Asia (@SLonCentralAsia)
- Bruce Pannier (@BrucePannier)
- Michael Hilliard (@MikeHilliardAus)
- The Times of Central Asia (@TheTimesoCA)
- The Oxus Society for Central Asian Affairs (@OxusSociety) 

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