Episode 50th – After the Russian Civil War: The Fall of the Alash Orda and the Jadids 1925-1938

It is my 50th episode and the last episode of season 2! Today we will discussing the fall of the Alash Orda and the Jadids and the full Sovietization of Central Asia. Since this is the last episode of the season I will be taking a month break and then will launch Season Three: the … Continue reading Episode 50th – After the Russian Civil War: The Fall of the Alash Orda and the Jadids 1925-1938

Episode 49th – After the Russian Civil War: The Last Days of the Basmachi

For a decade the Basmachi frustrated the Soviets, popping up where they were least expected, and preventing them from establishing total control in the region. However, by 1926, the Basmachi were on their last leg. Hiding in northern Afghanistan, they faced a choice of one final assault or fading away into obscurity. Join my Patreon … Continue reading Episode 49th – After the Russian Civil War: The Last Days of the Basmachi

Episode 49th – After the Russian Civil War: The Last Days of the Basmachi

For a decade the Basmachi frustrated the Soviets, popping up where they were least expected, and preventing them from establishing total control in the region. However, by 1926, the Basmachi were on their last leg. Hiding in northern Afghanistan, they faced a choice of one final assault or fading away into obscurity. If you enjoyed … Continue reading Episode 49th – After the Russian Civil War: The Last Days of the Basmachi

Zhenotdel and Women’s Liberation in Central Asia

One of the reform efforts preached by the Jadids and the Bolsheviks was the "liberation" of Central Asian women. The Bolsheviks sent their own women's group, Zhenotdel, to help Central Asian women modernize, starting with an unveiling campaign that did not go according to plan. Support me on Patreon Help people in Turkey and Syria … Continue reading Zhenotdel and Women’s Liberation in Central Asia

Episode 47-Russian Civil War: Zhenotdel and Women’s Liberation in Central Asia

One of the reform efforts preached by the Jadids and the Bolsheviks was the "liberation" of Central Asian women. The Bolsheviks sent their own women's group, Zhenotdal, to help Central Asian women modernize, starting with an unveiling campaign that did not go according to plan. If you enjoyed this episode, please donate to our Patreon … Continue reading Episode 47-Russian Civil War: Zhenotdel and Women’s Liberation in Central Asia

The Creation of the Central Asian Soviet Republics

After Enver Pasha led the Basmachi to their doom, the Bolsheviks turned their attention towards creating reliably Communist governments in Central Asia who were loyal to the USSR. The local actors, like the Jadids, Alash Orda, Young Bukharans, etc, focused on using Bolshevik capital and military might to create a modern, Islamic government. This episode … Continue reading The Creation of the Central Asian Soviet Republics

Episode 46 – the Russian Civil War: the Creation of the Central Asian Soviet Republics

Apologies for the unexpected hiatus, but we're back with an episode on the creation of the Central Asian Soviet Republics. After Enver Pasha led the Basmachi to their doom, the Bolsheviks turned their attention towards creating reliably Communist governments in Central Asia who were loyal to the USSR. The local actors, like the Jadids, Alash … Continue reading Episode 46 – the Russian Civil War: the Creation of the Central Asian Soviet Republics

Five Facts about the Basmachi’s Approach to Guerrilla Warfare

The Basmachi was disorganized, disjointed guerilla movement in Central Asia during the Russian Civil War. Despite being led by various different leaders and experiencing varying level of organization and success, every unit used these 5 basic tactics in their war against anyone who threatened their small c, conservative values. https://videopress.com/v/5spljiuP?resizeToParent=true&cover=true&posterUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fsamswarroom.files.wordpress.com%2F2022%2F11%2F5-facts-about-the-basmachi-approach-to-guerrilla-warfare.jpg&preloadContent=metadata&useAverageColor=true A video about the Basmachi's … Continue reading Five Facts about the Basmachi’s Approach to Guerrilla Warfare

Episode 44 – The Russian Civil War: Abdurauf Fitrat

Learn about Abdurauf Fitrat, a giant in Central Asian literature and a statesman who played a key role in creating the modern state of Uzbekistan and its language. If you enjoyed this episode, please donate to our Patreon References: Making Uzbekistan: Nation, Empire, and Revolution in the Early USSR by Adeeb Khalid Reviewed Work(s): Evading … Continue reading Episode 44 – The Russian Civil War: Abdurauf Fitrat

History in 5ish Minutes: the Basmachi’s Approach to Guerrilla Warfare

Learn about the five tactics the Basmachi used against the Bolsheviks and why they, ultimately failed. If you enjoyed this episode, please donate to our Patreon Resources “The Basmachi or Freemen’s Revolt in Turkestan 1918-1924 by Martha B. Olcott “Revolution in the Borderlands: The Case of Central Asia in a Comparative Perspective” by Marco Buttino … Continue reading History in 5ish Minutes: the Basmachi’s Approach to Guerrilla Warfare

My Love for Central Asian Literature Part 1 – Abdurauf Fitrat, Abdulla Qodiry, and Cho’lpon

Learn about my love for the works by Abdurauf Fitrat, Abdulla Qodiriy, and Cho'lpon Support me on Patreon Support Pakistan I’m currently working on a script for my history podcast, the Art of Asymmetrical Warfare, about three Central Asian literary giants: Abdurauf Fitrat, Abdulla Qodiry, and Abdulhamid Sulayman o’g’li Yusunov also known as Cho’lpon and … Continue reading My Love for Central Asian Literature Part 1 – Abdurauf Fitrat, Abdulla Qodiry, and Cho’lpon

History in 5ish Minutes: Frunze’s Strategy Against the Basmachi

Learn about the five tactics Red Army General Mikhail Frunze used against the Basmachi. If you enjoyed this episode, please donate to our Patreon Help Pakistan Page Help Puerto Rico Page Resources “The Basmachi or Freemen’s Revolt in Turkestan 1918-1924 by Martha B. Olcott “Revolution in the Borderlands: The Case of Central Asia in a … Continue reading History in 5ish Minutes: Frunze’s Strategy Against the Basmachi

The Russian Civil War: Enver Pasha and the Basmachi

What happens when a former Ottoman Pasha, sentenced to death in absentia finds himself in Central Asia? If you're Enver Pasha, you first align with the Bolsheviks before jumping ship and joining the Basmachi. Learn how Enver led the Basmachi until his death in a small village in eastern Bukhara. Join My Patreon Help Pakistan … Continue reading The Russian Civil War: Enver Pasha and the Basmachi

Episode 43-The Russian Civil War: Enver Pasha and the Basmachi

What happens when a former Ottoman Pasha, sentenced to death in absentia finds himself in Central Asia? If you're Enver Pasha, you first align with the Bolsheviks before jumping ship and joining the Basmachi. Learn how Enver led the Basmachi until his death in a small village in eastern Bukhara. If you enjoyed this episode, … Continue reading Episode 43-The Russian Civil War: Enver Pasha and the Basmachi

The Russian Civil War: Enter Mikhail Frunze and the Fall of the Last Emirs in Central Asia 1920-1921

Intro General Mikhail Frunze has arrived in Turkestan and identified the Musburo and the two Emirs of Khiva and Bukhara as threats to Communism. But can he win a war with the Emirs when facing an insurgency and famine? Support Me on Patreon Fight for Reproductive Justice Listen to our podcast episode From 1917 to … Continue reading The Russian Civil War: Enter Mikhail Frunze and the Fall of the Last Emirs in Central Asia 1920-1921

Episode 40-Russian Civil War: Central Power POWs , Indian Revolutionaries, and British Agents, Oh My!

Join us as we discuss the fate of Central POWs in Turkestan, what Indian Revolutionaries were doing in Tashkent, and how the British attempted to continue their Great Game spy adventures during the Russian Civil War. If you enjoyed this episode, please donate to our Patreon Transcript Stand with Ukraine Resource Page Help Trans People … Continue reading Episode 40-Russian Civil War: Central Power POWs , Indian Revolutionaries, and British Agents, Oh My!

Russian Civil War: The Basmachi Organize in the Ferghana 1918-1920

Introduction The Basmachi are facing famine, growing Red Army forces, and an uneasy alliance between the Bolsheviks and modernizing Muslim reformers. It's time to organize or die. Support Me on Patreon Run for Something Talk to White People about Race Listen to our episode or read our article below Leaders of the Basmachi The Basmachi, … Continue reading Russian Civil War: The Basmachi Organize in the Ferghana 1918-1920

Episode 39-Russian Civil War: The Basmachi Organize in the Ferghana 1918-1920

The Basmachi are facing famine, growing Red Army forces, and an uneasy alliance between the Bolsheviks and modernizing Muslim reformers. It's time to organize or die. If you enjoyed this episode, please donate to our Patreon Transcript Organizations that will help you run for office: Run for Something Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee Democratic Association of … Continue reading Episode 39-Russian Civil War: The Basmachi Organize in the Ferghana 1918-1920

Episode 38-Turar Risqulov: A Kazakh Revolutionary Leader

Turar Risqulov: mighty intellectual, leader of the Musburo, and a powerful Kazakh member of the Soviet Union. He was betrayed by the very ideology he supported, and executed along with others like him because their nationalistic legacy threatened an insecure Stalin. Learn about how he tried to save Turkestan during a Russian Civil War, his … Continue reading Episode 38-Turar Risqulov: A Kazakh Revolutionary Leader

Episode 37-the Russian Civil War the Musburo: Creating a Muslim Nationalist-Communist Cadre in Turkestan, 1919

Kobozev arrived in Turkestan in 1918 and tried to bring order to the region. Facing resistance from the Russian Settlers, he turned to the Muslim population and created different political and governmental opportunities for them. One such opportunity was the Central Bureau of Muslim Communist Organizations of Turkestan (the Musburo). However, when the Muslims start … Continue reading Episode 37-the Russian Civil War the Musburo: Creating a Muslim Nationalist-Communist Cadre in Turkestan, 1919

Episode 36-the Russian Civil War The Struggle for Kazakh Autonomy in 1919

The Alash Orda can no longer trust the White Movement, but they burnt their bridges with the Bolsheviks back in 1918. As the Red Armies sweep the White Army out of Siberia, the Alash Orda have to repair their relationship with the Bolsheviks or become powerless and irrelevant. But why should the Bolsheviks accept the … Continue reading Episode 36-the Russian Civil War The Struggle for Kazakh Autonomy in 1919

Episode 35-the Russian Civil War: Turkestan and Bolshevim

The Jadids are chased out of Kokand, Khiva, and Bukhara and they are outnumbered and outmaneuvered by their enemies: the Russian settlers, the Ulama, and the Basmachi. Their best hope lies with the Bolsheviks who need Turkestan to spread communism into the rest of Asia and Turkestan's resources. But can a Islamic, nationalist, modernizing movement … Continue reading Episode 35-the Russian Civil War: Turkestan and Bolshevim

Episode 33-the Russian Civil War: the Alash Orda and the White Army

After negotiations with the Bolsheviks stall, the Alash Orda turn to the White Movement in Siberia. What they find are endless political factions, Cossacks, numerous battles with the Red Army, and a White Army coup. Help Afghanistan Page Support the victims the Haitian Earthquake and Hurricane Ida Stand Up for Abortion Rights If you enjoyed … Continue reading Episode 33-the Russian Civil War: the Alash Orda and the White Army

Episode 32-the Russian Civil War: the Alash Orda and the Bolsheviks

The Russian Civil War knocks on the door of Siberia and the Steppe. The newly created Alash Autonomy must decide who they will ally with: the Bolsheviks or the White Army. Attracted by Bolshevik rhetoric, the Alash Orda start negotiates with the Soviets, but quickly learn that they have two, conflicting definitions of "self-determination" Help … Continue reading Episode 32-the Russian Civil War: the Alash Orda and the Bolsheviks

The Basmachi

Introduction Famed but often misunderstood guerilla fighters, the Basmachi were an Islamic resistance force that targeted both the Bolsheviks and modernizing Islamic forces of Central Asia. This article provides a basic overview of their creation, organizational hierarchy, and talks about some of their most famous leaders. Support Me on Patreon Black Lives Matters Resources Support … Continue reading The Basmachi

Episode 28-The Basmachi

Famine, civil wars, complete breakdown of authority-it only makes sense to join a guerilla movement that promises provisions and safety, right? Learn about the Basmachi, a group of warlords turned guerilla movement that became one of the Soviet's most persistent headaches in Central Asia during the 1920s and 30s. If you enjoyed this episode, please … Continue reading Episode 28-The Basmachi

Episode 24-Bird’s Eye View: What a Civil War Is and Isn’t

Tomorrow is our one year anniversary! To celebrate we posted our first ever Bird's Eye View episode. This format allows us to take a step back and discuss the definitions, theories, and common features of an aspect of asymmetrical warfare. Today we'll discuss what a civil war is and isn't. Be warned, this episode contains … Continue reading Episode 24-Bird’s Eye View: What a Civil War Is and Isn’t

Episode 23-Interview with Dr. Adeeb Khalid

This is a very special episode as we discuss the Jadids with renowned scholar, Dr. Adeeb Khalid. The Jadids were an Islamic modernizing movement within Central Asia that would later find common cause with Bolsheviks and create modern day Uzbekistan. We'll be discussing who the Jadids were, their doctrinal development, and how they fit within … Continue reading Episode 23-Interview with Dr. Adeeb Khalid

Book Review for Making Uzbekistan by Adeeb Khalid

Rating: 5/5 Pros: A comprehensive exploration into the creation of Uzbekistan and its neighboring states A long overdue overview of an often-neglected region of the world Well-researched and detail heavy but still easy to read Cons: Need to know a little about the region before reading Is VERY detail heavy and needs to be reread … Continue reading Book Review for Making Uzbekistan by Adeeb Khalid