Recent News

A Word from the Director Fall 2025

The IAUNRC welcomes faculty, students, and staff back to campus for the 2025 fall semester. Among the intellectual offerings over the coming months will be a lecture series on “Security across Central Eurasia in the 21st Century.” Broadly interpreting the notion of security, the talks in this series will cover nations and peoples from the Baltic states to Mongolia. We invite you to attend in person or via zoom.Wishing you all success during the semester.Dr. Jamsheed K. ChoksyDistinguished Professor, Indiana University

Recent Publication in E-International Relations from IAUNRC Director Dr. Jamsheed Choksy and Dr. Carole Choksy

Monday, July 21, 2025

Recent publication from IAUNRC Director Dr. Jamsheed Choksy and Dr. Carole Choksy in Foreign Affairs discussing  the political situation in Iran.

A Word from the Director Spring 2025

Thursday, May 08, 2025

Director Jamsheed Choksy, Distinguished Professor of Central Eurasian Studies at Indiana University, gives his thoughts on this semester's IAUNRC activities.

Drawing Lessons on Diplomacy from Three Years as U.S. Ambassador to Mongolia

Friday, May 02, 2025

On May 2nd, 2025, Amb. (ret.) Michael Klecheski gave a lecture to the IAUNRC and audience members at Hamilton Lugar School about his time as the American ambassador to Mongolia.

Sinor Lecture: A Newly Identified Chinese Manichaean Confessional Text and the Uyghur Xuāstvānīft

Thursday, April 24, 2025

On April 24th, 2025, Prof. Gábor Kósa came to the Department of Central Eurasian Studies and the Inner Asian and Uralic National Resource Center to speak on the scholarly debate on the similarities between some recently found Chinese Manichaean documents, and the Uyghur Xuāstvānīft.

Yige: Tibetan Calligraphy Day

Thursday, April 17, 2025

Beginning April 17th and ending April 19th, the Tibetan Language Program of the Department of Central Eurasian Studies, the Inner Asian and Uralic National Resource Center, the Latse Project, the Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies, the Center for the Study of Global Change, the East Asian Studies Center, the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures, the Department of Religious Studies, and the Dhar India Studies Program sponsored a Yige, Celebration of Tibetan Calligraphy day.

Recent Attribution to Dr. Jamsheed Choksy in National Geographic March 2025 Special Issue: The Story of God

Tuesday, April 15, 2025

Dr. Jamsheed Choksy, Professor in the Department of Central Eurasian Studies at Indiana University was cited in a National Geographic article by Daniel Levy.

The Pre-Mongol History of the Khalaj in Eastern Afghanistan

Monday, April 14, 2025

On April 14th, 2025, Professor Minoru Inaba of Kyoto University visited the IAUNRC to give a lecture on “The Pre-Mongol History of the Khalaj in Eastern Afghanistan”.

IAUNRC K-12 Outreach: Selections from Spring 2025

Saturday, April 05, 2025

The IAUNRC enjoyed presenting and participating in outreach events to K-12 students this Spring 2025 semester.

Buddhism and Mobility: Nomadic Monasteries of Mongolia, 16th-19th Century

Wednesday, April 02, 2025

On April 2nd the Inner Asian and Uralic National Resource Center was pleased to co-sponsor a guest lecture from renowned scholar Isabelle Charleux on the history of mobile monasteries in Mongolia. Isabelle Charleux is the Director of Research at the National Centre for Scientific Research in France. In her guest lecture, Dr. Charleux examined the history of mobility and Buddhism in the context of Mongolia.

Nowruz 2025

Thursday, March 27, 2025

The IU Nowruz Student Association again hosted Nowruz, the festival of the Spring Equinox in Iranian and Central Eurasian cultures. The event was cosponsored by CEUS,  IAUNRC, CELCAR, CSME, Russian Flagship, the CSGC, and the ISP.

Alash, Presented by Lotus Blossoms

Tuesday, March 25, 2025

On March 25th, 2025, the famous Tuvan throat singing ensemble returned to Lotus Blossoms Bloomington for another concert. The IAUNRC was one of the concert's sponsors.

IAUNRC Environments in 21st Century Central Eurasia Spring 2025

Wednesday, March 05, 2025

During the Spring 2025 semester, the IAUNRC wrapped up our year long lecture series, "Environments in 21st Century Central Eurasia."

Ukrainian Forced Migrants in Finnish Memoryscapes: How “Immigration into History” Sparks Reconsideration of the Past and Self-Identity

Tuesday, March 04, 2025

The Inner Asian and Uralic National Resource Center in conjunction with the Institute of European Studies, was pleased to co-sponsor a guest lecture by Dr. Olga Filippova, who presented “Ukrainian Forced Migrants in Finnish Memoryscapes: How “Immigration into History” Sparks Reconsideration of the Past and Self-Identity.”

The Transitioning Role of Government in the 21st Century

Friday, February 21, 2025

On February 21st, the Mongolian Society, the IAUNRC, and the Department of Central Eurasian Studies were pleased to host Mongolian Ambassador Battsetseg Shagdar for her lecture, "The Transitioning Role of Government in the 21st Century".

The “People of the Truth” and Shi’ite Esotericism: Ostad Elahi’s “Burhān al-Haqq” and “Ma‘refat al-Rūh”

Thursday, February 13, 2025

Prof. James Morris presented on Ahl al-Haqq on Thursday, February 13th, 2025. This event was co-sponsored by the Center for the Study of the Middle East and the Inner Asian and Uralic National Resource Center. 

Echoes from Forgotten Mountains: Tibet in War and Peace

Wednesday, January 29, 2025

On January 29th, Mr. Jamyang Norbu came to IU to speak to us on his new book, "Echoes from Forgotten Mountains: Tibet in War and Peace". Mr. Norbu is a prolific author and fought with the guerilla resistance out of Nepal for Tibet. This event was co-sponsored by Dhar India Studies, the East Asian Studies Center, and the Center for the Study of Global Change.

Environments in 21st Century Central Eurasia Lecture Series in 2024

Monday, December 16, 2024

In 2024 – 25, the IAUNRC organized a multi-part lecture series titled “Environments in 21st Century Central Eurasia.” This series began this Fall 2024 semester and will conclude at the end of the Spring 2025 semester. This Fall environmental topics in Uzbekistan, Finland, Tibet, and the Uyghur region were addressed by our guest speakers. Presentations included subjects as diverse as over-irrigation and the Aral Sea environmental disaster, the challenges of sustainability in Finnish cities, contested narratives of land degradation on the Tibetan plateau, and the impacts of unsustainable development in the Uyghur region. This Spring our series will continue with presentations on environmental issues in Mongolia, Turkey, Hungary, Iran and Estonia.

Outreach to K-12 Students, Educators, and General Public, Fall 2024

Monday, December 16, 2024

The Inner Asian and Uralic National Resource Center regularly engages with the community as part of our commitment to fulfilling our responsibilities as a federally funded Title VI National Resource Center. This outreach includes sharing cultural and language knowledge with K-12 students, educators, their families, and beyond.

Uyghur Week 2024

Monday, December 09, 2024

The IAUNRC was happy to co-sponsor Uyghur Week at Indiana University with CELCAR, CEUS, CSME, Marco and Polo Eurasian Cuisine, and the Uyghur Academy from December 9th to 12th, 2024. Uyghur Week featured two informative lectures by Uyghur scholars, a photography exhibit, a watercolor exhibit, and a documentary screening at IU Cinema.

The Singing Revolution Approaches 35: Cinematic and Historical Perspectives on a Historic Event

Thursday, December 05, 2024

On Thursday, December 5th the IAUNRC co-sponsored an event and documentary screening with REEI, CEUS, the Institute for European Studies, and the Department of Slavic and East European Languages and Culture, titled "The Singing Revolution Approaches 35: Cinematic and Historical Perspectives on a Historic Event." The documentary discussed the Singing Revolution which occurred in the Baltic states during the late 1980s which led to the restoration of their independence from the Soviet Union.

Yalda Celebration 2024

Thursday, December 05, 2024

On December 5th, 2024, the Persian program in the Department of Central Eurasian Studies, the Center for the Study of the Middle East, and the Inner Asian and Uralic National Resource Center hosted a celebration for the Iranian holiday of Yalda.

A Word from the Director

Thursday, December 05, 2024

Director Jamsheed Choksy, Distinguished Professor of Central Eurasian Studies at Indiana University, gives his thoughts on this semester's IAUNRC activities.

The Iran-Israel Faceoff: The Roots of the Conflict and What May Lie Ahead

Thursday, November 14, 2024

On Thursday, November 14th the IAUNRC, the Islamic Studies program, and Hillel co-sponsored an event hosted by the Robert A. and Sandra S. Borns Jewish Studies Program. The guest speaker, Roya Hakakian, presented "The Iran-Israel Facefoff: The Roots of the Conflict and What May Lie Ahead."

Her Womb, Our Home: Shâmaran, the Mother, the Goddess, and a Nation by Dr. Dilsa Deniz

Wednesday, November 13, 2024

On November 13th, 2024, Dr. Dilşa Deniz came to present on the Kurdish mythological figure, Shamaran. She underscored the important role Shamaran has as the Mother goddess in both Alevism and in the wider Kurdish community.

The Dilemma of Religious Leadership: Authority, Succession, And Protest in Iraq

Monday, November 11, 2024

The Inner Asian and Uralic National Resource Center was happy to co-sponsor an event organized by the Center for the Study of the Middle East in which Professor Marsin Alshamary from Boston College gave a guest lecture, “The Dilemma of Religious Leadership: Authority, Protest, and Succession in Iraq.”

Politicizing Islam in Central Asia: From the Russian Revolution to the Afghan and Syrian Jihads (a book talk)

Thursday, November 07, 2024

The Inner Asian and Uralic National Resource Center, the Islamic Studies Program, the Center for the Study of Global Change, the Robert F Byrnes Russian and East European Institute and the Center for the Study of the Middle East sponsored a lecture by Dr. Kathleen Collins from the University of Minnesota on her recently published monograph, Politicizing Islam in Central Asia: From the Russian Revolution to the Afghan and Syrian Jihads.

101st Anniversary of the Republic of Turkiye

Friday, November 01, 2024

The Turkist Students Association at IUB held a celebration of the 101st Anniversary of the Republic of Turkiye on November 1st, 2024. The event was co-sponsored by the IAUNRC, CEUS, CSME, CELCAR, and the IU Funding Board.

Recent Publication in Foreign Affairs from IAUNRC Director Dr. Jamsheed Choksy and Dr. Carole Choksy

Monday, October 14, 2024

Recent publication from IAUNRC Director Dr. Jamsheed Choksy and Dr. Carole Choksy in Foreign Affairs examining currents events and how they relate to Iran's Nuclear Program.

Mihaly Szegedy-Maszak Memorial Lecture: Veronika Darida on Gyorgy Lukacs

Tuesday, October 01, 2024

The Hungarian Studies Program at the Department of Central Eurasian Studies innaugurated the first Mihaly Szegedy-Maszak Memorial Lecture. The IAUNRC, REEI, and the Department of Comparative Literature were co-sponsers. Professor Veronika Darida of Eotvos Lorand University presented on the early essays of Gyorgy Lukacs (1885-1971), a famous yet controversial philosopher from Hungary.

Tibetan Muslims in Exile Lecture

Tuesday, September 24, 2024

The IAUNRC welcomed Ms. Pema Tso to present her talk on "Tibetan Muslims in Exile", on September 24th, 2024. This lecture was co-sponsored by the East Asian Studies Center, the Islamic Studies Program, the Center for the Study of Global Change, and the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures.

Interview with Luca Csak, Hungarian FLTA

Friday, September 13, 2024

We interview Luca Csak on her life in the US and Hungary, and her experience teaching at IU.

Interview with Gabrielle Okun, New President of the Hungarian Cultural Association at IUB

Thursday, September 12, 2024

We interviewed Gabrielle Okun, the new president of the Hungarian Cultural Association, here at IUB. She talks about her background, and her plans for the organization this year.

Interview with Dallin Day, Former President of the Hungarian Cultural Association at IUB

Thursday, September 12, 2024

Here, Dallin tells us a bit about himself, as well as his experiences as the president of the Hungarian Cultural Association for the past several years.

Interview with Gaini Tynyshtykova, Kazakh FLTA

Thursday, September 05, 2024

During our interview, Gaini discussed her life in Kazakhstan, her experiences in the US, and her teaching at IU.

Interview with Ularbek Raimbekov, Kyrgyz FLTA

Thursday, September 05, 2024

Ularbek is a FLTA (Fulbright Language Teaching Assistant) this year, teaching Kyrgyz language in the Department of Central Eurasian Studies, Indiana University Bloomington. In this interview, he introduces himself and some of his experiences while teaching and living in the US.

Professional Development for K-12 Educators—Summer 2024

Wednesday, June 26, 2024

The IAUNRC gave several professional development presentations for K-12 educators during Summer 2024.

A Word from the Director, Spring 2024

Monday, April 29, 2024

Director Jamsheed Choksy, Distinguished Professor of Central Eurasian Studies at Indiana University, gives his thoughts on this semester's activities.

Interview with Aiturgan Nurdinova, Kyrgyz FLTA

Friday, April 26, 2024

Aiturgan Nurdinova is the Kyrgyz FLTA (Fulbright Language Teaching Assistant) at the Department of Central Eurasian Studies, Indiana University Bloomington. Here, she introduces herself and speaks about the Kyrgyz language and adapting to life at IU.

Outreach to Minority Serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges, and Community Colleges

Friday, April 26, 2024

The IAUNRC is working diligently on our responses to the current Title VI grant’s competitive priority by collaborating with Community Colleges, Minority Serving Institutions and Historically Black Colleges.

Consul Battsetseg Tuvshintugs visits Indiana University

Friday, April 19, 2024

On April 12, the IAUNRC and the Mongolia Society were pleased to host Consul Battsetseg Tuvshintugs and Vice Consul Ganzorig Tseden-Ish from the Consulate of Mongolia in Chicago.

Minorities in Central Eurasian Societies Lecture Series

Friday, April 12, 2024

In 2023-24, the IAUNRC organized a 7-part lecture series titled "Minorities in Central Eurasian Societies." This series concluded in the spring semester talks on subjects as diverse as Zoroastrian communities in contemporary Iran, the culture and literature of Transylvanian Hungarians, Sami-language education in Finland and its Scandinavian neighbors, and the long and distinguished tradition of Jewish literature written in Persian.

Outreach to K-12 Students, Educators, and General Public, Spring 2024

Friday, April 12, 2024

The Inner Asian and Uralic National Resource Center regularly engages with the community as part of our commitment to fulfilling our responsibilities as a federally funded Title VI National Resource Center. This outreach includes sharing cultural and language knowledge with K-12 students, educators, their families, and beyond.

Navruz Festival at IU

Friday, March 29, 2024

On Friday, March 22, members of the IU community shared in their annual celebration of Novruz, an Iranian and Eurasian holiday deriving influence from various cultural traditions to mark the New Year based on the spring equinox.

"Buddhism on the Border: The Formation of Religious Tradition on the Himalayan Frontier" with Andrew Quintman

Friday, March 29, 2024

On March 22, the IAUNRC partnered with the Department of Central Eurasian Studies, the East Asian Studies Center, and the Center for the Study of Global Change to welcome Andrew Quintman, Associate Professor of Religion at Wesleyan University, for a lecture titled "Buddhism on the Border: The Formation of Religious Tradition on the Himalayan Frontier."

From Uzbekistan to the United States: Collaboration between Ivy Tech Community College and Termez State University

Friday, March 15, 2024

Muborak Kattaboyeva from Termez State University, Uzbekistan and Gerald Maki from Ivy Tech Community College, US - were selected to participate in a UniCEN international virtual exchange development program, an effort established in partnership with the American Councils on International Education. As part of this multi-year collaboration, Profs. Kattaboyeva and Maki presented their lecture "From Uzbekistan to the United States: International Virtual Exchanges and Critical Peace Education" in February, 2024 at the Eurasian Higher Education Summit in Istanbul, Turkey. The IAURNC is proud to sponsor this collaboration.

Estonian Independence Day Celebration 2024

Friday, March 01, 2024

On Thursday, February 22nd, the IU and Bloomington Community came together to celebrate Estonian Independence Day. This event featured an address by Estonian Ambassador to the United States, Mr. Kristjan Prikk, as well as a celebration in honor of the retirement of Professor Emeritus Toivo Raun. The event also included trivia about Estonia and a performance of Estonian songs by the IU Slavic Choir.

Tsagaan Sar 2024

Monday, February 26, 2024

Every year, the Bloomington Mongolian community comes together to celebrate the Mongolian New Year, Tsagaan Sar. This February, Mongolian language students, faculty, staff, friends, and many more gathered together to celebrate the beginning of the new year.

State Department Public Diplomacy Initiatives with Craig Dicker

Friday, February 02, 2024

In January, 2024, the IAUNRC supported the IU Muslim Voices Public Scholarship Project in hosting Dr. Craig Dicker for a talk titled "State Department Public Diplomacy Initiatives Aimed at Muslim Populations." Dicker, a former US Public Diplomacy Officer with experience working in cross-cultural relations in Azerbaijan, Indonesia, Turkey, India, and South Africa, focused his talk on the challenges of ensuring longevity for bilateral development initiatives in business, technology, and human rights.

Understanding Iran 2023 Lecture Series

Friday, April 14, 2023

The IAUNRC organized a 3-part lecture series titled "Understanding Iran 2023" during the Spring 2023 semester. This series of talks brought in experts in various fields to discuss issues surrounding contemporary politics in Iran.