Following the death of Stalin, Nikita Khrushchev launched the Virgin Lands Campaign to solve the Soviet Union’s chronic food shortages by farming millions of hectares of uncultivated territory. While the initiative initially produced record-breaking harvests, it eventually faltered due to harsh climates, a lack of proper infrastructure, and Khrushchev's rigid insistence on planting corn in unsuitable regions. This ambitious project significantly altered the demographics of Central Asia and caused lasting environmental damage, such as soil erosion. Ultimately, the program’s failure to provide long-term food security weakened Khrushchev’s political standing, contributing to his removal from power in 1964. Despite its shortcomings, the campaign remains a pivotal example of how centralized planning and political ambition shaped the Soviet landscape.

Qurt (also known as kurt or kurut) is a traditional hard, salty cheese made from fermented milk, famously known as the "original travel snack" of Central Asia.

Invented by nomadic Turkic and Mongolian tribes over 2,500 years ago, it served as an essential tool for survival during long migrations across the arid steppes.

Beyond nutrition, it represents resilience and heritage. In Kazakhstan, it is particularly celebrated for its role in saving the lives of gulag prisoners, to whom local villagers threw the cheese "stones" to provide secret nourishment.

Let's ride some powder in the Switzerland of Central Asia.

In this episode of Steppe By Steppe, we journey to the "Mountains of Heaven" to uncover a skiing legacy that is both ancient and radically modern. While the rest of the world looks to the Alps, we explore why Kyrgyzstan is a "primed canvas" for those seeking the wildest backcountry on Earth.

We trace the timeline from 10,000-year-old wooden planks in the Altai region to the Soviet Olympic training grounds of Karakol, where the USSR once tested torpedoes in the same lakes where we now find après-ski relaxation.

Join us as we discuss the "art" of navigating the region’s notorious "sugar snow," the rise of community-based tourism in the world’s largest walnut forest, and how modern geopolitics is bringing a new generation of "draft-dodging" instructors to the Kyrgyz slopes.

Whether you’re here for the yurt-based expeditions or the fermented mare’s milk, this episode proves that in the Tien Shan, the adventure is always "never not powder shredding".

Discover Kazakhstan’s hidden Frontier Market! We break down the KASE and AIX and its strange link to inflation.
What’s the deal with Kazakhstan Equities Markets? Located in Central Asia, this country is classified as a Frontier Market by major rating agencies, but it has huge potential, especially when compared to giants like the New York Stock Exchange.
We’re checking out the Kazakhstan Stock Exchange (KASE) and the Astana International Exchange (AIX) to see if they can finally help diversify the country’s economy beyond its natural resources. Historically, its role in financing local businesses has been tiny.
Here's the kicker: Recent analysis revealed a truly shocking strong positive correlation between KASE’s market capitalization and inflation! We explain why this bizarre connection matters far more than its minimal influence on overall GDP or unemployment figures.
Learn what it takes for a bank-dominated market to break out of the pack and reach that coveted Emerging Markets status. Whether you're an American investor looking for new frontiers or just curious about global finance, this episode gives you the inside scoop on how money moves in Kazakhstan.
Hit play and get ready to talk about Tenge!

Where'd the Kazakh Tenge come from? This is the story of the Tenge, the remarkable and unexpected currency born of chaos.

In a time when vodka was used as a savings device, as the ruble crumbled a new currency suddenly emerged.

Explore Kazakhstan's rich mining legacy! From its ancient 'ore-igins' to its role as a global critical minerals powerhouse.

Get ready to drill down into its incredible mining story! This isn't just a tale of recent discoveries; Kazakhstan boasts a history of mining that goes back centuries, with ancient tribes excavating and crafting mind-blowing gold and bronze jewelry.

You'll discover how modern industrial mining in Kazakhstan actually kicked off about 120 years ago with British entrepreneurs. Learn about the massive, programmed geological research during Soviet times that revealed immense reserves of copper, zinc, lead, and iron ore, making Kazakhstan a flagship of Soviet industry. But don't let those old stereotypes fool you – this is a dynamically developing country, leading economic and political reforms in Central Asia, and it’s very successful at attracting foreign investment.

While Kazakhstan is well-known for its oil and gas, its subsoil is also a treasure trove of critical minerals. We're talking uranium (it’s a leading global producer!), titanium sponge, tungsten, lithium, silicon, and many other rare earth and strategic materials.

The government is seriously committed to developing its mining sector, not just for raw materials but also for adding value through processing and refining right there in Kazakhstan. They're looking for fair, long-lasting partnerships, where foreign investors bring in new technologies, expertise, and training for local staff. They also prioritize sustainable practices that respect local communities and the environment – a big area where British and American companies can really shine.

Kazakhstan and Chevron: The Deal of the Century.

Today we're going into the complex, high-stakes world of post-Soviet energy. Explore how Chevron secured a massive $20 billion joint venture in Kazakhstan, home to some of the world's largest oil fields like Tengiz, Karachaganak, and Kashagan.

Learn about the pivotal and controversial American figure, James Giffen, who served as counselor to Kazakhstan's President Nazarbayev. He played a central role in brokering enormous oil deals for U.S. companies during a time of immense change, leveraging his deep connections.

These weren't just business transactions; they involved navigating challenging technical issues like high pressure and hydrogen sulfide, alongside allegations of corruption and a major U.S. investigation known as "Kazakhgate." Discover how U.S. laws like the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act intersected with international diplomacy, power struggles, and the geopolitical significance of Central Asia's vast energy resources.

Ready to uncover the secrets of the 'black gold of the steppe'? Join us to explore Kazakhstan's epic oil saga!

Kazakhstan, a massive country far from the ocean, became a major player on the world energy stage. We dig into its history, from the first wells drilled back in 1911 to the era where they really started pumping serious oil in the 60s and 70s. Then came independence and big international companies jumping in, helping production shoot past 1 million barrels a day!

Discover the incredible story of the giant fields that power Kazakhstan's oil growth: Tengiz, Karachaganak, and Kashagan. Kashagan is one of the biggest finds anywhere outside the Middle East! But getting this oil out wasn't simple – it's deep, super-high-pressure, and full of nasty, toxic gas. They even had to build crazy artificial islands just to drill in the shallow Caspian Sea! We'll look at the challenges, like delays and massive costs at Kashagan, and the ingenuity it took to overcome them. We also touch on other important fields like Uzen, Zhetybay, Kalamkas, Kenkiyak, and Kumkol.

Major international players were key to developing these complex projects. Find out how big US companies like Chevron and ExxonMobil got involved, including the famous 40-year joint venture for Tengiz, sometimes called the "contract of the century." We also mention ConocoPhillips' past stake in Kashagan.

Since Kazakhstan is landlocked, getting the oil to market relies heavily on pipelines. The Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) pipeline to the Black Sea is a major highway for their oil, capable of moving over a million barrels a day. There are also routes east to China, north into Russia, and across the Caspian Sea by tanker. The main oil they export is called CPC Blend, a prized type of light, sweet crude that makes lots of gasoline.

Beyond oil, Kazakhstan has tons of natural gas, mostly in those big oil fields. We explore how much of that gas is used to boost oil production and the challenges of dealing with its high sulfur content. Plus, learn about their gas pipelines and how they connect producing regions to cities. Fun fact: Kazakhstan is also a global leader in coal and the world's largest uranium producer!

Join us as we explore the epic engineering, the wild history, and the sheer grit it took to unlock this "black gold" under the Kazakh steppe!