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Jonathan Campion

Contributor

Jonathan Campion has worked in the Eurasia region since 2007. After leaving Exeter University with a degree in Russian Language, he worked as a writer, editor, analyst and translator for international law firms, market research firms and business forums serving the CIS region's major industries.

With a passion for Central Asia, he has covered the region in esteemed publications such as the Lonely Planet, Open Central Asia magazine, and National Geographic Traveler.

Jonathan's first book, about a sports team from the Eurasia region, was shortlisted at the Charles Tyrwhitt Sports Book Awards in 2025.

Articles

Book Reviews

New Book Review: ‘Silk Mirage: Through the Looking Glass in Uzbekistan’ by Joanna Lillis

“Vibrant” and “brutal” are words that British journalist Joanna Lillis uses to describe Uzbekistan in her new book Silk Mirage: Through the Looking Glass in Uzbekistan, released this week through Bloomsbury. But they could just as easily be used to describe the book itself. In her own words, Lillis, a Central Asia correspondent for The Economist and other media, set out to create "a portrait of Uzbekistan from independence to the modern-day, dipping into history to demonstrate where the country came from and how it got where it is today, and offer clues about where it is going." She achieves this with a book that is clear-eyed and meticulously researched, detailing how Uzbekistan’s two 21st-century leaders, presidents Islam Karimov and Shavkat Mirziyoyev, have shaped the lives of Uzbekistan’s remarkable people. The book opens with a summary of the paranoia and violence of the Karimov era (1989-2016), told through Lillis’ experience of having recently arrived in Tashkent in 2001. She lived in the country until 2005, and has spent a lot of time in Uzbekistan thereafter. While the western media that reported on Karimov’s death in 2016 speculated on a battle behind the scenes to succeed him, Silk Mirage is clear that power was always going to pass to Miziyoyev, who had been Karimov's prime minister for the previous 14 years. Lillis does, though, memorably mention that "there may have been a fierce under-the-rug catfight." A recurring topic in Silk Mirage is the repression of the media in Uzbekistan, and local journalists’ need to self-censor and avoid uncomfortable issues. There is none of that in this absolutely fearless book. Lillis gives stark details of Karimov’s human rights abuses, particularly in accounts of the horrific Jaslyk prison. She also confronts his successor’s failure to eradicate some of the injustices in the present day. When comparisons are made between life under Karimov, referred to as "Old Uzbekistan", and the New Uzbekistan of Mirziyoyev, the progress towards democracy is described as a qualified success. The country now has a parliament with younger, more accountable deputies; however, “opposition” is still a dirty word, and the proliferation of new political parties is misleading. Economic reforms have led to the previous official corruption and black market profiteering being replaced with a state that is friendlier to local businesses and foreign investors alike. That being said, there are still restrictions on citizens’ rights. So, have Mirziyoyev’s plans for democracy and reforms been slowed down by systemic issues – the need for his government to first dismantle the dictatorship he inherited? Or is Karimov’s old ally too much of a product of Old Uzbekistan to fully stop the past from repeating? Lillis leaves the reader to decide for themself. Silk Mirage dedicates chapters to events in Uzbekistan that have occasionally caught international attention. The last two decades have seen the authorities’ 2005 massacre of hundreds of people in the eastern city of Andijan, which was blamed on an ambiguous Islamist cult; outcries over forced labour and child labour in...

6 months ago

Cuisine

Uzbek Restaurant in Nashville Recommended by Michelin Guide

It may not have yet earned a coveted star, but a small Uzbek restaurant in Nashville, Tennessee has impressed reviewers from Michelin. This month Uzbegim, on the city’s 28th Avenue North, was named on the Nashville Bib Gourmand list, which is composed by Michelin’s Guide. In its own words, a place on the Bib Gourmand list “acknowledges excellent food at more affordable prices”. The Central Asian diner, whose dishes are halal, appears alongside much bigger and more established spots. The accolade is a reward for the superb traditional Uzbek food offered by owner Ulugbek Fayziev, who opened his restaurant in the east of Nashville in late 2023. Uzbegim is located at the back of a pizzeria, which is owned by different Uzbeks who let Fayziev use their space. Michelin’s Guide mentions that Uzbegim “promises something different, specializing in authentic Uzbek cuisine in a space with a stunning patio. Originating in Islamic China and traveling across to the Middle East, this is a cuisine that features some of the usual suspects (think kebabs) as well as standouts like Uyghur-style, hand-cut noodles.” Nashville local Mark Reese is a fan of the restaurant. “Uzbegim has what I call Central Asian comfort food,” he tells The Times of Central Asia. “It serves chaikhona [cafe-style] plov with tender lamb, rice, raisins and carrots. Shashlik [kebab] with onions and vinegar. 'Kazan kabob' is a highlight with chunks of tender meat and potatoes cooked perfectly, fork tender. My favorite is the Uyghur laghmon [noodles], both boiled and fried. The noodles were freshly prepared with just enough spicy broth, meat and bell peppers to offset the noodles.” Reese is well acquainted with Uzbek cuisine: he has worked in Central Asia’s education and cultural spheres for 30 years, and was awarded Uzbekistan’s Order of Do'stlik for his English translation of Abdulla Qodiriy’s historical novel O’tkan Kunlar (Bygone Days). He explains to The Times of Central Asia: "Nashville is relatively new as an emerging place for Uzbeks and other Central Asians to live. Vanderbilt University is home to quite a few Uzbek students." Noting some links between this part of the southern United States and Uzbekistan, Reese adds: “Uzbeks have lived in Tennessee for decades, especially Memphis. Uzbeks are naturally attracted to an emerging city that has slowly become internationalized. Especially the Umarov family engage in philanthropic activities, including cancer research for children’s hospitals." Nashville's Uzbek diaspora may have discovered Uzbegim first, but since Michelin's review, new American customers are sure to wander in, to taste Central Asian comfort food for themselves.

6 months ago

News Roundup

New Projects, Evolving Trade: Recent News from Tajikistan That You Might Have Missed

Recent weeks in Tajikistan have seen new investment deals, changing trade dynamics, and interesting social developments. Here are some stories that you may have missed. Energy investments pledged at Dushanbe Invest-2025 The Dushanbe Invest-2025 Forum resulted in 26 agreements worth roughly US $3.1 billion across the energy, manufacturing, and telecommunications sectors. Energy projects accounted for nearly US $2.4 billion of that total, reflecting Dushanbe’s aims to position itself as a hydropower hub for Central Asia. Officials also promoted “green investment” and developments in AI, while President Emomali Rahmon met with Qatar’s minister for foreign trade to discuss economic cooperation. These moves signal a drive to attract sustainable finance, and diversify an economy that is still reliant on remittances from Tajik guest workers in Russia. Growing trade with Iran and Uzbekistan Regional trade expanded significantly in October. Tajikistan and Iran reaffirmed their intention to expand industrial and trade cooperation, with mutual turnover nearing $380 million in 2024 and a target to surpass $500 million in the near future. Agreements include joint ventures in mining, agriculture, and pharmaceuticals. At the same time, trade between Tajikistan and Uzbekistan reached over $70o million in 2024 -- an almost three-fold increase from recent years. The governments of the neighboring countries are now exploring logistics corridors and simplified customs rules to further integrate their economies. Tourism boom: International visitors up by a quarter With increased government support, tourism has become one of Tajikistan’s most promising growth sectors. During the first nine months of 2025, the country received nearly 1.4 million foreign visitors -- a 24 percent increase compared with previous years. The influx of tourists is driven by new simplified visa rules, social media campaigns, and improved domestic air routes. Adventure travel in the Pamir Mountains and cultural tourism in ancient cities such as Khujand and Istaravshan are leading this wave. Sharp decline in UK trade New figures show that trade between Tajikistan and the United Kingdom fell by almost 39 percent in the four quarters ending Q2 2025, totaling just £22 million. Imports from the UK dropped 32 percent, while exports from Tajikistan plunged 62.5 percent, according to the UK trade factsheet. Landmark border agreement ratified In late October, Uzbekistan’s parliament approved a trilateral border-junction agreement with Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, resolving a long-standing territorial issue. The agreement should ease cross-border trade and transportation, reduce tensions in remote areas, and open the door to regional infrastructure projects linking the three countries. For Tajikistan, which has some of Central Asia’s most complex borders, the agreement represents a diplomatic milestone that could translate into tangible economic gains. Looking ahead The last month’s events highlight that Tajikistan is cautiously re-entering international dialogue in Central Asia and beyond. Tajikistan’s leadership is using investment forums, tourism, and pragmatic diplomacy to stabilize and diversify the economy. Yet challenges remain, chiefly the country's heavy economic dependence on remittances, vulnerability to climate-related shocks, and limited industrial capacity.

6 months ago

Central Asia-US Summit

Tokayev Backs Azerbaijan to Join Central Asia-U.S. Summit

Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has said he would welcome Azerbaijan’s participation in the upcoming Central Asia-U.S. Summit in Washington. In an exclusive comment to Azerbaijani outlet Minval Politika, Tokayev praised Azerbaijan’s regional role and even called the country a “natural part of Greater Central Asia.” “I consider Azerbaijan’s participation in such an important forum desirable. Given its energy resources, favorable geographic location, strategic vision, and the political will of President Ilham Aliyev, this country plays a crucial role in the South Caucasus and beyond, essentially becoming a regional transport, logistics, and energy powerhouse,” Tokayev said. “Azerbaijan can be considered a natural part of Greater Central Asia. I also consider President Donald Trump’s initiative to hold a summit in Washington in the very near future to be very timely and worthy of support. I am confident this event will be productive and mutually beneficial,” the Kazakh leader noted. The planned summit on November 6 falls under the C5+1 format that brings together the U.S. and the five countries of Central Asia. It will mark the first such gathering held in Washington, after an initial presidential meeting took place on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in 2023. Donald Trump has formally invited the leaders of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan to attend. The meeting will coincide with the tenth anniversary of the C5+1 diplomatic platform, which was launched in 2015 to deepen cooperation between Central Asia and the U.S. on security, economic and other issues. Tokayev’s remarks about Azerbaijan reflect a growing view that Azerbaijan is increasingly integrated with Central Asia. In recent years, Baku has been invited to Central Asian heads-of-state consultative summits as a special participant, underscoring what analysts call the “growing importance of the South Caucasus as a gateway for Central Asia to European markets”. During the most recent Central Asia leaders’ meeting in Astana in August, Azerbaijan was designated a key partner in regional initiatives, and Aliyev stressed that Azerbaijan and the Central Asian countries “represent a single historical, cultural, and geopolitical space” with deep-rooted ties. That brotherly affinity is reinforced by Turkic cultural links and mutual strategic interests. Tokayev himself, in talks with Aliyev, has called Azerbaijan “a regional power” and “a fraternal state” for Kazakhstan. Azerbaijan indeed wields significant influence as an energy and transport hub connecting Eurasia. The country is a major oil and gas producer that has steadily expanded exports to Europe, and it anchors the Trans-Caspian trade routes linking China and Central Asia to the West via the Caucasus. Since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine disrupted traditional east–west corridors, the so-called Middle Corridor -- running from Central Asia across the Caspian Sea through Azerbaijan -- has taken on greater importance. Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan have positioned themselves as “key actors” in this reconfigured Eurasian logistics network that bypasses Russian territory. The United States is also paying close attention to these routes: officials have indicated that the Washington summit will spotlight development of the Trans-Caspian corridor, with the U.S. “keen to promote logistics...

6 months ago

Business

Open for Business: New Reforms Accelerate Investment in Uzbek Companies

Uzbekistan’s business sector is in a period of rapid transformation. The catalyst for this is the government's newest set of economic reforms, through which it is seeking to attract long-term investment. New legislation, targeted incentives for enterprises, and an influx of international partnerships are changing the way that companies operate and invest. A key part of this transformation is the government’s effort to create a more predictable and transparent regulatory environment. The World Bank has noted that Uzbekistan’s reform strategy is centered on expanding trade integration and accelerating the long-planned privatization of state assets. The country’s priorities include accession to the World Trade Organization, which has brought about legal adjustments designed to align Uzbek standards with global norms. Investor confidence has been encouraged by new policies that now make it easier to live and work in Uzbekistan. A five-year “golden visa” now makes it possible for foreign nationals who invest at least $250,000 to receive residency. This simplifies procedures for those developing long-term projects. Another focus for the government is financial liberalization. The International Monetary Fund recently noted that state ownership of banks is expected to fall to around 40 percent next year, which creates space for potential private lenders and foreign capital. Recent data suggests that these reforms are beginning to bear fruit. In the first quarter of 2025, Uzbekistan attracted about $8.7 billion in new foreign investment, according to figures published by UzDaily, with the total inflow this year projected to reach $42 billion. The Times of Central Asia has reported that over the past eight years, the country has absorbed more than $113 billion in foreign capital. These numbers highlight the nation's growing appeal to international investors. Alongside the surge in foreign activity, the authorities are developing policies to encourage domestic entrepreneurs. There are now more than 370,000 registered small and medium-sized businesses in Uzbekistan, which now receive more support from the government through simpler registration rules and targeted tax incentives. Private industrial parks in Tashkent and Samarkand are driving innovation in the textiles, IT and construction sectors, and creating prospective local jobs. The business community has taken notice of these reforms. At the Tashkent International Investment Forum in June, European delegates described Uzbekistan as a country “undergoing large-scale transformation”, with a growing array of opportunities for international investors. Guests in Tashkent praised efforts to increase transparency in business and cut back on beaurocracy. At the same time, they stressed the need to be consistent in their implementation across regions. Despite tangible progress, challenges remain. Inflation has remained high, and analysts continue to point to structural issues hampering growth. These include an underdeveloped financial system and a large informal economy. Foreign businesses operating in Uzbekistan are also advised to pay close attention to compliance and labor law as the legal environment evolves. Two of the government's priorities stand out in the short term. The first is the privatization of major state assets in the energy, transport and telecommunications industries -- part of the 2025 national economic program...

7 months ago