Abstract
Russia’s aggressive anti-Western policy is also having an impact on Central Asia. The result is a shift in political priorities: the courting of the “Global South” has been accompanied by a downgrading of the “near abroad”. The state also expects scientists in its service to comply with and support these political changes. Since the start of the large-scale war against Ukraine at the latest, there can hardly be any talk of independent public expertise in Russia. Some of the Central Asia specialists have complied with this turn of events and are actively involved in political consulting and propaganda, while others have retreated into exile or have fallen silent.