Catherine Putz

Washington, D.C., United States

Managing Editor at The Diplomat Magazine

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Articles

Satire on Trial: Temirlan Yensebek in Kazakh Court for Using a Rude Rap Track

2 weeks ago | thediplomat.com | Catherine Putz

An offensive 20-year-old rap song may land a Kazakh satirist in jail for seven years. But there’s more to the case than a rude song. This week the trial of Temirlan Yensebek – the founder of the satirical Instagram account Qaznews24 – began after being postponed twice. Yensebek was detained in January and charged with inciting interethnic discord under Article 174 of the Kazakh Criminal Code.
Ukraine Claims Capture of Chinese Fighting With Russia in Donetsk

2 weeks ago | thediplomat.com | Catherine Putz |Shannon Tiezzi

On April 8, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the capture of two Chinese citizens fighting with the Russian army in Donetsk. The following day, Zelenskyy claimed that Ukraine had “precise data” on more than 150 Chinese citizens involved in the war on behalf of Russia.
Andijan Taxi Driver Sentenced for Attempt to Recruit Uzbeks into the Russian War in Ukraine

2 weeks ago | thediplomat.com | Catherine Putz

An Andijan taxi driver has been sentenced to a little over seven years in prison for attempting to recruit passengers in his cab into work supporting the Russian war in Ukraine. Furkatbek Khasanov was detained last summer at the Fergana Airport, alongside a man who had apparently taken him up on the offer. According to reporting from Kun.uz and other Uzbek news agencies, Khasanov confessed fully in court.
Karakalpak Refugees Find Asylum in the US - Tribune Content Agency

2 weeks ago | tribunecontentagency.com | Catherine Putz

In October 2024, four Karakalpak activists – Tleubike Yuldasheva, Ziuar Mirmanbetova, Raisa Khudaibergenova, and Zhangeldi Zhaksymbetov – received word that they had been granted asylum in the United States. The four had been detained in Kazakhstan between September and November 2022 at the request of Uzbekistan along with Koshkarbai Toremuratov (who was granted asylum in Poland in January 2025).
Karakalpak Refugees Find Asylum in the US

2 weeks ago | thediplomat.com | Catherine Putz

In October 2024, four Karakalpak activists – Tleubike Yuldasheva, Ziuar Mirmanbetova, Raisa Khudaibergenova, and Zhangeldi Zhaksymbetov – received word that they had been granted asylum in the United States. The four had been detained in Kazakhstan between September and November 2022 at the request of Uzbekistan along with Koshkarbai Toremuratov (who was granted asylum in Poland in January 2025).
Kazakhstan Makes Trump ‘Reciprocal’ Tariff List

2 weeks ago | thediplomat.com | Catherine Putz

Of the 57 countries singled out for additional “reciprocal” tariffs in U.S. President Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day” executive order on April 2, Kazakhstan is the only Central Asian state to make the list. Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan will be subject to baseline 10 percent tariffs, which went into effect over the weekend, but Kazakhstan has been targeted with a 27 percent tariff set to go into effect on April 9.
USAGM Reverses Course on RFE/RL and OTF Grant Terminations - Tribune Content Agency

4 weeks ago | tribunecontentagency.com | Catherine Putz

The U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) has reportedly rescinded its March 15 letters terminating its grants for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and the Open Technology Fund (OTF). The reversals come amid mounting legal challenges from USAGM’s grantees and recent court decisions in their favor. USAGM oversees all U.S. government-supported international broadcasting and took immediate steps to dismantle the organization it funds.
USAGM Reverses Course on RFE/RL and OTF Grant Terminations

4 weeks ago | thediplomat.com | Catherine Putz

A day after RFE/RL won a temporary restraining order against USAGM’s freezing of its funding, the agency has backed off. But it may be, at best, a temporary reprieve. The U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) has reportedly rescinded its March 15 letters terminating its grants for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and the Open Technology Fund (OTF). The reversals come amid mounting legal challenges from USAGM’s grantees and recent court decisions in their favor.
USAID Cuts Devastating to Central Asia Programs

4 weeks ago | thediplomat.com | Catherine Putz

If leaked documents listing active and terminated projects are accurate, almost all USAID programs in Central Asia have been cut. The Trump administration is terminating almost all foreign assistance grants to Central Asian countries, according to a document reportedly sent to the U.S. Congress this week outlining canceled and retained U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) programs.
4th Drone Fragment Found in West Kazakhstan on Russian Border

4 weeks ago | thediplomat.com | Catherine Putz

Since February, fragments of at least four suspected unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), also called drones, have been found in the West Kazakhstan region. The suspected drone fragments have all fallen in parts of Kazakhstan closest to the ongoing war in Ukraine, illustrating the dangers posed to neighbors of the conflict. In two of the four incidents, photos have circulated in the media, which allowed the identification of the drone fragments as of likely Russian origin.