Julian Postulart

Editor-in-chief at Novastan English. Julian studied political science, East European Studies, and War Studies in the Netherlands. His interests in the region include memory and identity politics, Tajik and Uzbek history, regional geopolitics, and the lasting legacy of Soviet/Russian (neo)colonialism.

Written articles:

Night train to Dushanbe – a travelogue of Uzbek-Tajik relations

For many years, relations between Tajikistan and Uzbekistan have been fraught with tension. Some analysts even dubbed the ties between the two countries a Central Asian ‘cold war’. But… [...]

The burned out Crocus City Hall in Moscow on the evening of the attack. Photo from the Press Service of the Moscow Oblast.

Moscow attacks highlight Tajikistan’s radicalisation problem

Russian authorities have charged four Tajiks for their involvement in the deadly terrorist attack at the Crocus City Hall in Moscow on March 22 that cost the lives of at… [...]

Central Asian presidents invited to attend Russian Victory Day Parade

Russian president Vladimir Putin has invited his counterparts from Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan to attend the annual Victory Day celebrations in Moscow on May 9. The occasion… [...]

Orientalism revisited – a very Dutch introduction to Central Asia

Over the past six weeks, hundreds of thousands of viewers have tuned in to Dutch public broadcaster VPRO to watch the new docuseries “Along the new Silk Road”. For… [...]

The president of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, gives a speech during the official opening ceremony of the 2022 Nowruz festivities in Almaty.

Beyond fun and games – the politics of Nowruz

In Central Asia, the beginning of spring is traditionally marked by Nowruz, also known as ‘Persian New Year.’ Typical holiday celebrations include horse games, family visits, and large feasts. But… [...]

Women’s Day in Kazakhstan: hundreds gather for rally in Almaty

On International Women’s Day in Almaty, feminist organisations rallied “for bodily autonomy and against sexual violence”. According to estimates, 700 to 1000 participants joined the rally to express their demands. [...]

Russian President Vladimir Putin and the president of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev shake hands during a recent state visit, amidst growing concerns about a anti-Russian disinformation campaign in Kazakhstan.

“An escalating manifestation of Russophobia” – Kazakhstan at the epicentre of an information war

Since the invasion, Kazakhstan has taken a position of neutrality towards Russia’s war in Ukraine. Yet, Astana has not hindered volunteers from organising humanitarian aid to send to Ukraine. Furious… [...]

Woman sitting on a stairs with her hands covering her face.

Bound by Tradition: Silent Suffering of Daughters-in-Law in Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan has a distinct form of gender-based violence: abuse of and control over daughters-in-law. This reflects cultural tradition where a bride – kelin – leaves her family home to move… [...]

Sex, Drugs, and Postpunk – the new album of Bishkek’s Duo Vtoroi Ka

Bishkek musical duo Vtoroi Ka has recently dropped its third album: carnivalesque postpunk in a world where nothing is as serious as it seems. Novastan’s review. “These post-Soviet cities have… [...]

Saving Snow Leopards: how scientists fight for the survival of a species

Snow leopards – an exclusively Asian species of large mammals of the cat family – live on the territory of 12 countries: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan,… [...]

Kazakhstan wants to bring the mining of cryptocurrencies increasingly under state control. Illustration image: Marco Verch (CC-BY 2.0).

Cleaning up after FTX: Kazakhstan aims to regulate the crypto industry

For over a year now, the billion-dollar fraud case surrounding former tech CEO Sam Bankman-Fried has been causing an uproar. In Kazakhstan, too, the case caused a stir – mostly… [...]

A Kyrgyz woman in traditional clothing. Photo by Tasnim Azimova.

How is Kyrgyzstan celebrating Nooruz in 2024?

Everyone in Kyrgyzstan is looking forward to a warm and sunny spring after a long and cold winter. Nooruz marks the astronomical start of the spring, or spring equinox, when… [...]

Alexander Degtyariov on stage with Devouring Genocide, a slamming brutal death metal band. Photos are courtesy of the ROCK DA BONE festival in Bishkek.

Inside Bishkek’s Metal Boom: Portrait of a Music Pioneer in Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan’s capital Bishkek is home to a small but vibrant metal scene. In the still largely traditional Kyrgyz society, local metal artists often struggle to find an audience, produce their… [...]

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