Tajikistan has struggled for over a decade to raise funds for the world's tallest dam, leaving its population freezing each winter and skimping on basic social services.
A man who tried against all odds to build a successful business on the Tajik-Kyrgyz border was killed in fighting last month. Matisa Nadyrov told Eurasianet of his dreams just a few months ago.
Kyrgyz villagers believe Tajikistan is trying to make life so miserable and unbearable that they will up sticks and move away, ultimately ceding the land by default.
In the first episode of our new podcast, we discuss a watershed moment in Central Asia's independent history, as Putin's war pushed the countries into China's arms. Plus, the worst violence yet between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. And more.