Central Asia and the Covid-19 Pandemic

Jean-François Caron is Associate Professor at the Department of Political Science and International Relations, Nazarbayev University, Kazakhstan.Hélène Thibault is Assistant Professor at the Department of Political Science and International Relations, Nazarbayev University, Kazakhstan.

“The book overall presents a well-structured analysis. It significantly enriches the discourse while also serving as a cautionary tale for the future. The incorporation of historical analysis, surveys and empirical evidence enhances its thoroughness and broad appeal. It is recommended for readers interested in the impact of COVID-19 on Central Asia and its implications for global health and geopolitics.” (Elsie Chimnomso Ihedioha, Europe-Asia Studies, November 11, 2024)

• 1. Uyat or the Culture of Shame as a Vector of Covid-19 Contamination in Kazakhstan.- 2. Understanding the impact of misinformation on psychological state of Uzbekistani citizens during the COVID-19 outbreak.- 3. The “Sick Man of Asia”: Exploring Popular Perceptions of China in Kyrgyzstan.- 4. Anti-Chinese Sentiment, the BRI, and COVID-19: Kazakh Perceptions of China in Central Asia.- 5. A Frontier Market in the COVID-19 Era: Kazakhstan’s Economic Diversification in the 2020s.- 6. Kyrgyz parliamentary elections as a trigger – how COVID-19 unveiled the deep-rooted structural problems at stake.