A Chat in the Yurt, discussing Central Asia and Europe. Episode XXXI – Corruption and kleptocracy

Step into our Yurt and join us for a monthly conversation on Europe-Central Asia developments. In this series of podcasts, we welcome guests from both regions to discuss exciting new research and the latest developments in Europe and Central Asia. Together, we discuss society trends, political developments, economic turns, and cultural highlights while assessing the past and looking ahead to what may unfold.

 

In this episode, hosts Rashid Gabdulhakov and Kamila Smagulova meet with Leila Nazgül Seiitbek, who heads Freedom for Eurasia, a prominent think tank based in Austria that advocates for the exposure of corruption, kleptocracy and human rights abuses in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

Corruption and kleptocracy remain substantial hurdles in the development of Central Asian countries whereby the political elites continue to prosper at the expense of the broader population. Leila explains how kleptocracy is different in post-Soviet republics compared to other regions that suffer from this fenomenen. Due to its communist past, the practice was not build on political-business ties but on political-security sector dealings. Hosts and guest also discuss corruption that is becoming more sophisticated and is often regarded as normal transactional behaviour. We learn about corruption in energy-rich countries like Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan and the risks that European businesses run by investing in Central Asia.

Join EUCAM in the Yurt via SoundCloud, Spotify, and Apple podcasts. Be part of the discussion by posing questions and sharing your thoughts on our social media: LinkedIn, Bluesky, andMastodon. EUCAM is a programme of the Centre for European Security Studies (CESS), the Netherlands.