Social stability in the Central Asia is presumably at risk as Soros-funded organizations are getting more influence over the main media channels.

In October 2016, the representative office of the radio station «Ozodi» located in Tajikistan’s capital Dushanbe promoted anti Russia-China-Tajikistan cooperation agenda as a part of the so-called task received from organizations funded by famous American investor and philanthropist George Soros. The radio, popular among the youth and pro-active social groups in Tajikistan openly criticized Dushanbe’s support for Moscow-Beijing economic cooperation, discouraged rapprochement of Tajikistan and Uzbekistan in terms of water consumption, economic and cross-border cooperation and tried to prevent anti-terrorist cooperation between Dushanbe, Moscow and Beijing.

At the same time the station highly supported and promoted opposition movements in the country, particularly those funded by the U.S. organizations and funds. Among them are «Group-24», «Vatandor» movement etc. And it also encouraged the opposition movements in Ukraine.

Given huge lack of financing of the federal media in the Central Asia the proposal became a sort of easy money for the radio administration. However, such information policy is extremely dangerous for economy-sensitive and terrorist-sensitive region. With the collapse of the Soviet Union more and more countries on the post-Soviet space looked more to the integration with the West, rather than with Russia. However, opposition movements in those countries were often influenced by pro-Western organizations interested in causing the chaos in the region and in getting more power there. The debate on the future development of the post-Soviet countries continues even today.

Meanwhile earlier last week a number of anti-government protests and meetings financed by Soros’ Fund were held in Budapest while in April 2016 similar protests were held in Prague. As protestesters claimed the main purpose of those meetings was to oppose government policy that prevents activity of Western and pro-nationalist movements.

Initiatives of the Soros Fund are often criticized by Russia and Eastern European countries. For instance, Victor Orban, Prime Minister of Hungary earlier this month criticized the EU migration policy and its financing by the Soros Fund saying that it’s not the first time when Brussels "is dictating its will on Hungary ". Moreover, earlier this month thousands of people (most of the were students) protested in Budapest against legislation that could force the Central European University, founded by the financier George Soros, to move out of Hungary. The ruling rightwing Fidesz party passed the bill on that followed by criticism of Viktor Orban who claimed that Hungary authorities had been once again put under huge pressure of the US and the EU which was not acceptable.

Summarizing everything, it’s important to note that through creating a negative information agenda in the Central Asia and in Tajikistan particularly organizations affiliated with the Soros Fund are cultivating opposition movements in the Republic. These initiatives might undermine social stability in the country and cause mass anti-government protests. All in all, the post-Soviet countries shall decide which path to follow on their own, their choices should not be affected by any kind of propaganda, either Russian or Western.