China’s Influence in Central Asia, with Edward Lemon and Bradley Jardine

Lemon and Jardine look at trade, investment, military, and cultural cooperation

We are back from a short break with the seventh episode of our new podcast. Find here the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth episodes.

In this episode, Paolo is speaking to Edward Lemon and Bradley Jardine, the authors of Backlash: China’s Struggle for Influence in Central Asia (Hurst 2025).

Edward is an Assistant Professor at the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University in Washington, D.C. His research focuses on Central Asia, particularly Tajikistan, with interests spanning security, authoritarianism, and academic freedom.

Bradley is the Managing Director of the Oxus Society for Central Asian Affairs. He previously studied at Xinhua University in China, and his research examines China's growing role across Central Asia and the wider Eurasian region.

Their data analysis and all-encompassing research spanned more than a decade and their fieldwork was conducted across multiple countries in the region.

In our conversation, we talk about the image of China in Central Asia, anti-Chinese protests, soft power and surveillance.

Listen to this episode on Spotify, Amazon Music, or Apple Podcasts.

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