Edward Lemon

Washington, D.C.

Freelance Contributor at Freelance

Professor, @bushschooldc @tamu. President, @oxussociety. Fellow, @kennaninstitute Formerly @HarrimanInst. Focus on Central Asia & organizing rare book fairs

Articles

Backlash by Bradley Jardine, Edward Lemon

3 weeks ago | shakespeareandcompany.com | Bradley Jardine |Edward Lemon

Please note that this product is a pre-order. Its publication date is 17 Jul 2025. It will ship shortly after. How have Central Asians responded to China's growing role in their countries? Can Beijing maintain its dominant position in an increasingly hostile region? Publisher: C Hurst & Co Publishers Ltd
Big Brothers United: The Influence of China and Russia in Strengthening Digital Authoritarianism in Tajikistan

3 weeks ago | onlinelibrary.wiley.com | Edward Lemon |Oleg Antonov

Tajikistan is one of the most authoritarian political systems in the world. According to Freedom in the World 2025, it ranks tenth from bottom in the world, on a par with Syria and Equatorial New Guinea. President Emomali Rahmon has ruled the country since November 1992, making him the longest serving head of state in the region.
Grooming the next generation: harmonisation of youth laws in post-soviet states

1 month ago | tandfonline.com | Oleg Antonov |Edward Lemon |Olena Podolian |Bo Petersson

ABSTRACTThis article provides a comparative analysis of laws on youth policy and patriotic education in Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russia and Ukraine (as a control case), as well as model laws developed by the Commonwealth of Independent States. These laws are aimed at educating young people and transferring values of loyalty and obedience to authoritarian rule, as well as love and patriotic devotion to the Motherland, as means to legitimise and sustain authoritarian regimes.
A ‘Hotbed’ or a Slow, Painful Burn? Explaining Central Asia’s Role in Global Terrorism – Combating Terrorism Center at West Point

Aug 13, 2024 | ctc.westpoint.edu | Kristina Hummel |Noah Tucker |Edward Lemon

Abstract: After a string of terrorist attacks in Russia, Iran, and Afghanistan involving Central Asian citizens, as well as foiled plots and arrests in the United States, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, and Turkey, Central Asia is once again in the spotlight as a supposed center of terrorism. But this narrative of a constantly growing threat does not fit well with reality.
Stability Maintenance and the ‘Three Evils’: Framing China’s Role in Central Asia

May 31, 2024 | tandfonline.com | Edward Lemon |Bradley Jardine |Lucas Peters

ABSTRACTThis article analyzes 430 security-related press releases from meetings between officials from China and the Central Asian republics between 1991 to January 2023 to examine how its threat perceptions have evolved. First, China’s focus on the Three Evil Forces (terrorism, extremism, separatism) has won its support and cooperation from regimes across the region. Second, China has advanced a number of new security concepts over the years, most recently the Global Security Initiative.
Values Education, the Family, and Youth in Tajikistan: Building Docile Subjects

May 29, 2024 | tandfonline.com | Edward Lemon |Swetlana Torno

ABSTRACTThis article examines the relationship between youth, the family, and the authoritarian state in Tajikistan. We argue that the state works through both young people and the family in its attempts to produce loyal citizens through values education that focuses on patriotism, national identity, and allegiance to the state.
Moscow Attack Means More Tajiks Will Suffer for Alleged Actions of a Minority

Mar 28, 2024 | themoscowtimes.com | Edward Lemon |Ruslan Norov

Two days after the horrific attack on Crocus City Hall which has left over 130 dead, the bloodied suspects, showing visible signs of torture, were paraded in front of the media at Moscow’s Basmanny Court. All four men, Saidakrami Rachabalizoda, Mukhammadsobir Faizov, Shamsidin Fariduni, and the alleged ringleader Dalerjon Mirzoyev, are from Tajikistan.
Central Asia could help the West break its dependence on China’s critical minerals

Jan 29, 2024 | thehill.com | Edward Lemon |Bradley Jardine

After the COP28 climate summit, the world cautiously celebrated the “beginning of the end” of the fossil fuel era. But many are starting to worry about the emerging contest over the critical minerals essential for this green future.
Kazakhstan Futures Fellows Present Research at Event in Astana

Sep 21, 2023 | oxussociety.org | Edward Lemon

On September 21, 16 leading Kazakh and American experts presented their research findings within the Oxus Society for Central Asian Affairs’ Kazakhstan Futures Program at an event at Nazarbayev University on September 21. Dr. Ilesanmi Adesida, the provost of Nazarbayev University, opened the concluding event of the program, stressing the role his university plays in cultivating the next generation of leaders in Kazakhstan and beyond.
Governing extremism through communities in Tajikistan " balticworlds.com

Aug 22, 2023 | balticworlds.com | Edward Lemon

Since the country’s civil war, which began with rival protests in the center of the capital city Dushanbe turning violent in May 1992, protests have been relatively rare in Tajikistan as the government of Emomali Rahmon has consolidated its control. Yet protests erupted across Tajikistan in late September 2016.