Exploring Tashkent: Memorial to the 1966 earthquake, which destroyed 80% of the city, left 300,000 homeless and killed between 15 and 200 (depending on whether you use Soviet or other sources).

Passing through Navoiy on my way to Bukhara on the high speed Afrosiyob train. Excited to be going back to beautiful, historic Bukhara for the first time since Dec2019!

So honored to meet 8-time Olympian, gymnast Oksana Chusovitina this evening at a reception to celebrate US-Uzbekistan sports diplomacy. Dozen different UZB sports federations attended. Very proud of our embassy’s popular series of self-defense trainings for women and girls.

Had farewell call today with Ismatulla Irgashev, Special Envoy for Afghanistan. We worked together VERY closely during my 3 years here. No one is more knowledgeable about AFG—he knows EVERYONE there! US-UZB regional security cooperation is super close—thanks largely to Isma-aka.

It’s deep winter in Astana. But the call to prayer from the Hazrat Sultan Mosque still echoes every morning on the way to work.

Just landed for a visit to Ust-Kamenogorsk (now known by its Kazakh name, Өскемен). Sun is shining and it’s -26C!

My introduction to the history of Өскемен and the East Kazakhstan Region: wonderful tour (mostly indoors!) with local entrepreneur and history buff Mukhtar Toibazarov. Here standing next to funerary stones in Kirov Park.

In Durban this week for Indian Ocean Rim Assoc (IORA) ministerial. To discuss maritime security, econ connectivity. My 1st time in SAfrica!

What has been the major change in #Uzbekistan media, I asked, from visiting journalists. “We feel and see our impact. We’ve started covering real stories and challenging ourselves more than ever,” says Sanjar Said Газета.uz, U.S.Embassy Tashkent program participant. x.com/navbahor/statu…

#Humanrights activist freed in #Uzbekistan after 12 years in prison - w/ comment from Human Rights Watch sg.news.yahoo.com/activist-freed… via @yahoosg

Here for my first ever visit to India, had a chance to see Chennai Port today. View from Harbor Control station.

Wonderful to be able to get a short tour of Mylapore and the Kapaleeshwaran Temple during a full day of meetings in Chennai today. Learning a lot about the profoundly rich history and culture of Tamil Nadu and southern India during my too-brief stay.

Shout out to our very knowledgeable guide in the Kapaleeshwaran Temple, S. Jayakumar for a memorable tour. And warm thanks to Consul General Robert Burgess and his team for hosting me today. What a welcoming and vibrant city. I will be back!