Mongolia Focus
@mongoliafocus.bsky.social
Commenting on developments in contemporary #Mongolia and announcing new blog posts offering such analyses.
mongoliafocus.com with nearly 900 posts since 2011.
@dierkes.bsky.social posting here.
mongoliafocus.com with nearly 900 posts since 2011.
@dierkes.bsky.social posting here.
Continues to be a bit of a thrill to see this notification...
open.spotify.com/episode/6K6l...
open.spotify.com/episode/6K6l...
February 4, 2026 at 6:11 AM
Continues to be a bit of a thrill to see this notification...
open.spotify.com/episode/6K6l...
open.spotify.com/episode/6K6l...
While I obviously wish #Mongolia team all the best in SWAT Challenge 2026, perhaps Physical: Asia style, I am somewhat unnerved by an "international tactical showdown" as a competition.
www.uaeswatchallenge.com/en/teams/mon...
www.uaeswatchallenge.com/en/teams/mon...
www.uaeswatchallenge.com
February 3, 2026 at 7:34 AM
While I obviously wish #Mongolia team all the best in SWAT Challenge 2026, perhaps Physical: Asia style, I am somewhat unnerved by an "international tactical showdown" as a competition.
www.uaeswatchallenge.com/en/teams/mon...
www.uaeswatchallenge.com/en/teams/mon...
Official Olympics website calls #Mongolia uniform by goyolcashmere.mn "most anticipated Opening Ceremony look".
www.olympics.com/en/milano-co...
www.olympics.com/en/milano-co...
February 2, 2026 at 1:50 PM
Official Olympics website calls #Mongolia uniform by goyolcashmere.mn "most anticipated Opening Ceremony look".
www.olympics.com/en/milano-co...
www.olympics.com/en/milano-co...
1st update for 2026:
@globalpeaceindex.bsky.social ranks #Mongolia 37th (of 163) on 2025 Global Peace Index.
Similar levels of safety in countries like 🇸🇪🇵🇱🇷🇴🇻🇳
Least safe on subindices for perceptions of criminality, violent crime, political instability.
mongoliafocus.com/mongolia-sco...
#GPI
@globalpeaceindex.bsky.social ranks #Mongolia 37th (of 163) on 2025 Global Peace Index.
Similar levels of safety in countries like 🇸🇪🇵🇱🇷🇴🇻🇳
Least safe on subindices for perceptions of criminality, violent crime, political instability.
mongoliafocus.com/mongolia-sco...
#GPI
Mongolia Scorecard - Mongolia Focus
Listing of selection of global indices that measure Mongolia against other countries on a variety of indicators. Some comments.
mongoliafocus.com
February 2, 2026 at 12:55 PM
1st update for 2026:
@globalpeaceindex.bsky.social ranks #Mongolia 37th (of 163) on 2025 Global Peace Index.
Similar levels of safety in countries like 🇸🇪🇵🇱🇷🇴🇻🇳
Least safe on subindices for perceptions of criminality, violent crime, political instability.
mongoliafocus.com/mongolia-sco...
#GPI
@globalpeaceindex.bsky.social ranks #Mongolia 37th (of 163) on 2025 Global Peace Index.
Similar levels of safety in countries like 🇸🇪🇵🇱🇷🇴🇻🇳
Least safe on subindices for perceptions of criminality, violent crime, political instability.
mongoliafocus.com/mongolia-sco...
#GPI
Why? Not to be too cynical, @ladybolor.bsky.social but...
A) Mongolian govt pretty much signs any "international" document placed in front of it
B) Hope to get off T****'s no-visa list.
A) Mongolian govt pretty much signs any "international" document placed in front of it
B) Hope to get off T****'s no-visa list.
While the United States’ democratic allies stayed away, the Zandanshatar administration become a founding member of the new Board of Peace.
Why Did Mongolia Join Trump’s Board of Peace?
While the United States’ democratic allies stayed away, the Zandanshatar administration become a founding member of the new body.
buff.ly
January 28, 2026 at 5:24 AM
Why? Not to be too cynical, @ladybolor.bsky.social but...
A) Mongolian govt pretty much signs any "international" document placed in front of it
B) Hope to get off T****'s no-visa list.
A) Mongolian govt pretty much signs any "international" document placed in front of it
B) Hope to get off T****'s no-visa list.
A Ahearn and N Bayarsaikhan raise concerns @eastasiaforum.bsky.social abt inclusion of voices of herders in pursuit of development of critical minerals in #Mongolia
eastasiaforum.org/2026/01/20/s...
eastasiaforum.org/2026/01/20/s...
Social protections overlooked in Mongolia–UK critical minerals cooperation
Mongolia–UK critical minerals cooperation risks prioritising resource and economic security at the expense of environmental and social governance, including the rights of nomadic herders.
eastasiaforum.org
January 26, 2026 at 3:53 PM
A Ahearn and N Bayarsaikhan raise concerns @eastasiaforum.bsky.social abt inclusion of voices of herders in pursuit of development of critical minerals in #Mongolia
eastasiaforum.org/2026/01/20/s...
eastasiaforum.org/2026/01/20/s...
Apparently, Mongolia PM Zandanshatar was quick to join nefarious "Board of Peace". Surely, the Mongolian govt is not planning to pay US$1B membership.
#MGLfp
#MGLfp
January 23, 2026 at 6:02 AM
Apparently, Mongolia PM Zandanshatar was quick to join nefarious "Board of Peace". Surely, the Mongolian govt is not planning to pay US$1B membership.
#MGLfp
#MGLfp
Identifies elements of Mongolian-repressive policy in China:
-cultural representation
-migration
-disincentivization of language
-undermining tradtnl lifestyles
-crackdown on activism
I am broadly sympathetic, but note, report largely based on activist sources. Social media analysis persuasive tho.
-cultural representation
-migration
-disincentivization of language
-undermining tradtnl lifestyles
-crackdown on activism
I am broadly sympathetic, but note, report largely based on activist sources. Social media analysis persuasive tho.
Report from PEN America on the Situation in Inner Mongolia
pen.org/report/inner...
pen.org/report/inner...
“Save Our Mother Tongue”
Beijing has silenced Mongolian voices, all the while expanding its arsenal of tactics to influence the information ecosystem.
pen.org
January 22, 2026 at 8:30 AM
Identifies elements of Mongolian-repressive policy in China:
-cultural representation
-migration
-disincentivization of language
-undermining tradtnl lifestyles
-crackdown on activism
I am broadly sympathetic, but note, report largely based on activist sources. Social media analysis persuasive tho.
-cultural representation
-migration
-disincentivization of language
-undermining tradtnl lifestyles
-crackdown on activism
I am broadly sympathetic, but note, report largely based on activist sources. Social media analysis persuasive tho.
"Since 2020, CCP authorities sought to remake education in #InnerMongolia. Their aim is cradle-to-univ pipeline of ‘soul-casting’, by which Putonghua, Han norms, & patriotic discipline become ‘code of conduct & daily habit’."
Overview of erasure of Mongolian language & identity in China.
Overview of erasure of Mongolian language & identity in China.
In this essay, @jleibold.bsky.social and Soyonbo Borjgin expose the systematic dismantling of Mongolian-medium schooling in Inner Mongolia and argue that changing school names from Mongolian into Chinese constitutes one of the final acts in cancelling once-promised autonomy and sovereignty.
Rectifying Names, Erasing Mongols: The Unmaking of Mongolian Education in China
On a clear October morning in 2025, two massive cranes rolled up to a middle school in the People’s Republic of China (PRC). Workers prised off the large Chinese and Mongolian signs running along the ...
madeinchinajournal.com
January 21, 2026 at 3:54 PM
"Since 2020, CCP authorities sought to remake education in #InnerMongolia. Their aim is cradle-to-univ pipeline of ‘soul-casting’, by which Putonghua, Han norms, & patriotic discipline become ‘code of conduct & daily habit’."
Overview of erasure of Mongolian language & identity in China.
Overview of erasure of Mongolian language & identity in China.
List appears to include Mongolia.
The U.S. State Department has reportedly frozen the processing of immigrant visas for citizens of 75 countries, including more than a dozen in Asia, deemed likely to “take welfare and public benefits.”
US Pauses Immigrant Visa Processing for 75 Countries, 13 in Asia-Pacific
The Asian countries apparently impacted include Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Thailand, and Uzbekistan.
buff.ly
January 18, 2026 at 3:42 AM
List appears to include Mongolia.
Reposted by Mongolia Focus
Mongolia heads into 2026 with stable policies but fragile leadership and rampant infighting within the Mongolian People’s Party, writes Julian Dierkes.
Mongolia’s robust politics backslides into electoral autocracy in 2025
Mongolia heads into 2026 with stable policies but fragile leadership and rampant infighting within the Mongolian People’s Party, writes Julian Dierkes.
eastasiaforum.org
January 12, 2026 at 11:25 AM
Mongolia heads into 2026 with stable policies but fragile leadership and rampant infighting within the Mongolian People’s Party, writes Julian Dierkes.
Lots of ongoing media discussion in #Mongolia abt parl ad hoc cmtte report on #OyuTolgoi.
With @ananddairtan.bsky.social & Dolgion, we considered political context in our last podcast episode.
www.agulamedia.com/podcast/e017
⛏️🇲🇳🎙️
With @ananddairtan.bsky.social & Dolgion, we considered political context in our last podcast episode.
www.agulamedia.com/podcast/e017
⛏️🇲🇳🎙️
Episode 17: Mongolia Questions Rio Again — Agula Media
www.agulamedia.com
January 8, 2026 at 7:58 AM
Lots of ongoing media discussion in #Mongolia abt parl ad hoc cmtte report on #OyuTolgoi.
With @ananddairtan.bsky.social & Dolgion, we considered political context in our last podcast episode.
www.agulamedia.com/podcast/e017
⛏️🇲🇳🎙️
With @ananddairtan.bsky.social & Dolgion, we considered political context in our last podcast episode.
www.agulamedia.com/podcast/e017
⛏️🇲🇳🎙️
Trams are long overdue to relieve Ulaanbaatar congestion and air pollution. Here's the North-South vision.
ikon.mn/n/3kj7
#Mongolia
ikon.mn/n/3kj7
#Mongolia
“Улаанбаатар трамвай” төсөл хэрэгжсэнээр зуслангийн бүсээс Сүхбаатарын талбай хүртэл 29 минут зорчино
“Улаанбаатар трамвай” төсөл хэрэгжсэнээр зуслангийн бүсээс Сүхбаатарын талбай хүртэл 29 минут зорчино
ikon.mn
January 7, 2026 at 1:29 PM
Trams are long overdue to relieve Ulaanbaatar congestion and air pollution. Here's the North-South vision.
ikon.mn/n/3kj7
#Mongolia
ikon.mn/n/3kj7
#Mongolia
Twice-weekly direct Toronto-Ulaanbaatar flights this summer!!!
isee.mn/n/86219
isee.mn/n/86219
Канадын "Air Transat" компани Торонто-Улаанбаатар чиглэлд шууд нислэг хийдэг болно | iSee.mn
2026 оны хамгийн онцлох үйл явдлуудын нэг нь Канадын Air Transat компанийн Торонто-Улаанбаатарын шууд нислэгийн н...
isee.mn
January 6, 2026 at 7:49 AM
Twice-weekly direct Toronto-Ulaanbaatar flights this summer!!!
isee.mn/n/86219
isee.mn/n/86219
Happy new year!
Last year was a year of transitions for #Mongolia Focus, but thank you for continuing to read our posts!
mongoliafocus.com/2026/01/mong...
Last year was a year of transitions for #Mongolia Focus, but thank you for continuing to read our posts!
mongoliafocus.com/2026/01/mong...
Posts and readers of our blog in 2025.
By Julian Dierkes It was a big year for the blog because we moved from the original home at the Univ of British Columbia to our own domain as I moved from UBC to the University of Mannheim. This move ...
mongoliafocus.com
January 5, 2026 at 8:14 AM
Happy new year!
Last year was a year of transitions for #Mongolia Focus, but thank you for continuing to read our posts!
mongoliafocus.com/2026/01/mong...
Last year was a year of transitions for #Mongolia Focus, but thank you for continuing to read our posts!
mongoliafocus.com/2026/01/mong...
In our Christmas episode, @ananddairtan.bsky.social & I speak to Tegshbayar D about a special kind of gifting in #Mongolia, #corruption.
Happy holidays!
www.agulamedia.com/podcast/e016
Happy holidays!
www.agulamedia.com/podcast/e016
Episode 16: Corruption — Agula Media
www.agulamedia.com
December 24, 2025 at 8:03 AM
In our Christmas episode, @ananddairtan.bsky.social & I speak to Tegshbayar D about a special kind of gifting in #Mongolia, #corruption.
Happy holidays!
www.agulamedia.com/podcast/e016
Happy holidays!
www.agulamedia.com/podcast/e016
In recollecting 2008 stand-off w/ 🇷🇺 over control of gas station network, frm 🇲🇳 PM S Bayar recounts pointing to parliamentary authority in rejecting demand.
isee.mn/n/85804
Episode = instance of #Mongolia active resistance against 🇷🇺 .
mongoliafocus.com/2022/11/russ...
#MGLfp #MGLpoli
isee.mn/n/85804
Episode = instance of #Mongolia active resistance against 🇷🇺 .
mongoliafocus.com/2022/11/russ...
#MGLfp #MGLpoli
С.Баяр: Путин Монголд 100 клонк байгуулж өгөөд хариуд нь Асгатын ордыг авна гэхэд нь "Парламент шийднэ" гэж хэлээд уур цухлыг нь хөдөлгөж байв | iSee.mn
Шатахуун хомстож нөхцөл байдал хүндэрсэн өдрүүд үргэлжилсээр байна. Манай улсын хувьд нийт шатахууны 98 хувийг ОХУ-аас импортлодог. Харин үлдсэн 2 хувийг БНХАУ...
isee.mn
December 23, 2025 at 1:00 PM
In recollecting 2008 stand-off w/ 🇷🇺 over control of gas station network, frm 🇲🇳 PM S Bayar recounts pointing to parliamentary authority in rejecting demand.
isee.mn/n/85804
Episode = instance of #Mongolia active resistance against 🇷🇺 .
mongoliafocus.com/2022/11/russ...
#MGLfp #MGLpoli
isee.mn/n/85804
Episode = instance of #Mongolia active resistance against 🇷🇺 .
mongoliafocus.com/2022/11/russ...
#MGLfp #MGLpoli
Some protests in Ulaanbaatar focused on fuel shortages, but also Democratic Party ire over appointment of deputy ministers.
ikon.mn/n/3k98
#Mongolia #MGLpoli
ikon.mn/n/3k98
#Mongolia #MGLpoli
ЖАГСААЛ: "Дэд сайд нарыг буцаан татаж, бензин шатахууны хомсдолыг долоо хоногийн дотор шийд"
-Жагсагчдын зүгээс "Дэд сайд дэд саад хэнд ч хэрэггүй хоолны сав", "Засгийн газар огцор арай арай", "Сахил хүртээд шал дордов гэгчээр 126 гишүүнтэй болоод яг яасан юм бэ" зэргээр байр сууриа илэрхийлж...
ikon.mn
December 23, 2025 at 11:23 AM
Some protests in Ulaanbaatar focused on fuel shortages, but also Democratic Party ire over appointment of deputy ministers.
ikon.mn/n/3k98
#Mongolia #MGLpoli
ikon.mn/n/3k98
#Mongolia #MGLpoli
#Mongolia parliament has (once again) held hearings abt benefits that accrue from #OyuTolgoi copper project.
Zorig B asks for an emphasis on comprehensive understanding of benefits.
mongoliafocus.com/2025/12/gues...
Zorig B asks for an emphasis on comprehensive understanding of benefits.
mongoliafocus.com/2025/12/gues...
Ad Hoc parliamentary committee discusses OT dividends
By Zorig Bat-Erdene An ad hoc committee established by the Mongolian Parliament recently held hearings on the Oyu Tolgoi (OT) Investment Agreement, bringing together nearly 300 participants. Attendees...
mongoliafocus.com
December 23, 2025 at 9:47 AM
#Mongolia parliament has (once again) held hearings abt benefits that accrue from #OyuTolgoi copper project.
Zorig B asks for an emphasis on comprehensive understanding of benefits.
mongoliafocus.com/2025/12/gues...
Zorig B asks for an emphasis on comprehensive understanding of benefits.
mongoliafocus.com/2025/12/gues...
Mongolian judge Erdenebalsuren Damdinsuren on list of ICC officials sanctioned by US for Netanyahu arrest warrant.
ikon.mn/n/3k7u
#MGLfp
ikon.mn/n/3k7u
#MGLfp
АНУ-ын засаг захиргаа Олон Улсын Эрүүгийн Шүүхэд ажилладаг Монголын шүүгчийн эсрэг хориг арга хэмжээ зарлалаа
Олон Улсын Эрүүгийн Шүүхэд (ОУЭШ) ажилладаг Монгол улсын шүүгчийг хориг арга хэмжээгээр шийтгэж байгаагаа АНУ-ын төрийн нарийн бичгийн дарга Марко Рубио өнөөдөр мэдэгджээ.
ikon.mn
December 22, 2025 at 10:49 AM
Mongolian judge Erdenebalsuren Damdinsuren on list of ICC officials sanctioned by US for Netanyahu arrest warrant.
ikon.mn/n/3k7u
#MGLfp
ikon.mn/n/3k7u
#MGLfp
@songsforhorses.com No playlist to go with the book is there?
December 11, 2025 at 12:25 PM
@songsforhorses.com No playlist to go with the book is there?
One of the "survivors" (if that's what they are) in Pluribus is Mongolian? Otgonbayar? Well, the world must be safe then!
December 11, 2025 at 11:05 AM
One of the "survivors" (if that's what they are) in Pluribus is Mongolian? Otgonbayar? Well, the world must be safe then!
I learned from @ananddairtan.bsky.social & Dolgion abt Team #Mongolia success in #PhysicalAsia show. We talk nomadism, teamwork and national identity. Hear me sing and eagles cry!
www.agulamedia.com/podcast/e015
www.agulamedia.com/podcast/e015
December 10, 2025 at 6:48 AM
I learned from @ananddairtan.bsky.social & Dolgion abt Team #Mongolia success in #PhysicalAsia show. We talk nomadism, teamwork and national identity. Hear me sing and eagles cry!
www.agulamedia.com/podcast/e015
www.agulamedia.com/podcast/e015
Bet you've never really thought abt Cuba-#Mongolia relations. Well, @ladybolor.bsky.social has!
Not just fraternal socialist bilateralism, but a bit of a strategic entree for 🇲🇳 to S America.
thediplomat.com/2025/12/mong...
🇨🇺🤝🇲🇳
#MGLfp
Not just fraternal socialist bilateralism, but a bit of a strategic entree for 🇲🇳 to S America.
thediplomat.com/2025/12/mong...
🇨🇺🤝🇲🇳
#MGLfp
Mongolia and Cuba’s Diplomatic Relations: Past, Present, and Future
Ulaanbaatar’s Cuba diplomacy encapsulates the country’s past as well as its many changes in going from a socialist system to a multi-party democracy today.
thediplomat.com
December 9, 2025 at 6:19 AM
Bet you've never really thought abt Cuba-#Mongolia relations. Well, @ladybolor.bsky.social has!
Not just fraternal socialist bilateralism, but a bit of a strategic entree for 🇲🇳 to S America.
thediplomat.com/2025/12/mong...
🇨🇺🤝🇲🇳
#MGLfp
Not just fraternal socialist bilateralism, but a bit of a strategic entree for 🇲🇳 to S America.
thediplomat.com/2025/12/mong...
🇨🇺🤝🇲🇳
#MGLfp
Holiday reading has arrived.
@songsforhorses.com
@songsforhorses.com
December 8, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Holiday reading has arrived.
@songsforhorses.com
@songsforhorses.com