Frequently Asked Questions

The Oxus Society is a group of Central Asian scholars headquartered in Washington, DC, but part of a global network of experts located around the world. Meet our staff, board, and advisory council, or visit our Connect page to find our newsletter and social channels.

Central Asia encompasses the five post-Soviet countries of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, as well as the areas of modern-day China historically referred to as East Turkestan. We recognize Central Asia's deep interconnections with Russia, China, and other neighboring states, and aim to position the region within the emerging "Asian Century" while reassessing its culture, politics, and history.

Our name comes from the Amu Darya river, which flows from the Pamir mountains across the heart of Central Asia to the Aral Sea. In antiquity, this river was known as the Oxus. The region was called Transoxiana — "the land beyond the Oxus" — a place where cultures met and knowledge and goods were exchanged. We seek to replicate that spirit of exchange in the modern era.

The Oxus Society is a nonprofit corporation registered in the District of Columbia with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status with the Internal Revenue Service of the United States.