The Great State Mural - Mongolia Portrayed — Podcast

Modern Mongolia, and Traditional Festivities (NAADAM) 08.07.2026 48min

We sat down and spoke with Dorjpagma "Dono" from Modern Mongolia. Modern Mongolia is a page that tries to shed light on Mongolia's culture, both past and present. The page—and formerly the podcast—has helped many Mongolia enthusiasts understand the country's nuances, as well as the current developments in its culture. As this episode coincides with Mongolia's biggest holiday, it would be almost sacrilegious not to talk about Naadam: its significance for Mongolians, and how hard it can be for some of them to truly engage with the sporting events at the heart of the holiday.If you have suggestions for our show, please get in touch at info[at]agulamedia.comAnd if you're a supporter at Buy Me a Coffee, buymeacoffee.com/greatstatemural — thank you for keeping the show going.For anyone in Mongolia, you can donate to Agula Media’s Golomt Bank Account: MN790015003105153063. Pocketcast | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTubeHosts: Anand, JulianGuest: Dorj Bagam (Dono — Modern Mongolia, @modernmongolia on Instagram)Keywords: Mongolia | Naadam | Eriin Gurvan Naadam | wrestling | horse racing | archery | cultural heritage | Modern Mongolia | tradition | child jockeys

Russia and Mongolia, the big brother 24.06.2026 53min

For decades, Russia was the "big brother" — the country that built Mongolia's industry, schooled its elites, and shaped a century of its history. China gets the headlines now. But Russia never left, and the war in Ukraine has dragged the relationship back into the light.Social and cultural anthropologist Dr. Marissa J. Smith joins us to map where Mongolia stands with Russia in 2026. Holding degrees in anthropology and Russian from Princeton University and Beloit College, her research traces where post-socialist and Western communities of practice meet in rural space — exactly the terrain where Russia's hold on Mongolia is most tangible. We dig into what still binds the two countries: the 2016 Erdenet takeover and Mongolrostvetmet, fuel dependence, geography, and the long shadow of shared history.Then we turn to the present. How has the invasion of Ukraine narrowed Mongolia's room to maneuver? What was Putin's visit — staged under an ICC arrest warrant — really meant to signal, and to whom? Is the Mongolian public, and especially its younger generation, growing more critical of Russia than its government dares to be? And is Power of Siberia 2 the game-changer it's sold as, or a project still waiting on someone who needs it badly enough?Russia is still a counterbalance to China — but for how much longer, as the two neighbors draw closer?If you have suggestions for our show, please get in touch at info[at]agulamedia.comAnd if you're a supporter of us at Buy Me a Coffee, The Great State Mural — thank you for keeping the show going.Three Universals: The Big BrotherThe big brother helps us.The big brother tells us what to do.The big brother is still watching.Pocketcast | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTubeHosts: Anand, Dolgion, JulianGuest: Dr. Marissa J. SmithKeywords: Mongolia | Russia | Ukraine war | Putin | Power of Siberia 2 | foreign policy | China | post-socialism

Defamation, Repealed — Defamation, Reloaded 10.06.2026 1h 2min

Mongolia's Parliament repealed Article 13.14 — the criminal defamation clause that haunted the country's journalists for years. A victory for press freedom? Not so fast.Duuya Baatar, founder and chairperson of the Nest Center for Journalism and Innovation Development and founder of the Mongolian Fact Checking Center, joins us to explain why the repeal is only a beginning. The numbers tell the story: between 2020 and 2024, more than 2,000 cases were opened under 13.14. Only 5% ever reached a court. Just 0.3% ended in a guilty verdict. The other 99.7%? Journalists dragged from police station to police station, district to district — too busy defending themselves to do their jobs. Intimidation by procedure. SLAPP, Mongolian style.And 13.14 was never the only weapon. Over 100 Mongolian laws regulate media or information in some form. Clauses 17.6 and Provision 19 are already being deployed against newsrooms. Now Parliament wants a replacement defamation law — one that defines AI-generated content as false information, grants special protection to public officials who simply deny the facts, threatens whistleblowers with disqualification from office, and covers even what you say out loud in a meeting or a classroom. A boy was already detained for making a meme.So what happens when a Press Freedom Bill regulates more than it frees? When the Constitutional Court hands civil society its strongest legal tool in decades, can advocates use it before lawmakers write the next sleeping provision? And why are Mongolia's politicians so afraid of criticism in the first place?The law is dead. What comes to replace it may be worse.If you have suggestions for our show, please get in touch at info[at]agulamedia.comAnd if you're a supporter at Buy Me a Coffee, buymeacoffee.com/greatstatemural — thank you for keeping the show going.Three Universals: The Three Sins of the StateThe gossipers of the khashaa have sinned.The bearers of truth have sinned.The writers of posterity have sinned.

Mongolian People's Party Civil War 2.0 27.05.2026 50min

On May 16th, Prime Minister Uchral Nyam-Osor dismissed Ulaanbaatar Mayor Nyambaatar Khisgee, citing his failure to control surging beef prices and alleged corruption in the Tuul Highway construction project. Nyambaatar fired back, saying that the charges are fabricated, the dismissal is political, and Uchral only has his job because he took away Oyun-Erdene's election victory. He vowed to fight until he ripped the three veins from his lungs.We break down what's really happening inside the MPP. Is this a legitimate anti-corruption move — or a factional purge? Who actually controls the party's money, and what does that mean for the 2028 elections?And if you're a supporter at Buy Me a Coffee, buymeacoffee.com/greatstatemural — thank you for keeping the show going.Keywords: Mongolia | MPP | Ulaanbaatar | Mongolian politics | Mongolia's Democratic Party | Inflation | budget deficit | Strait of Hormuz

Six Headlines for the month of May 23.05.2026 12min

The Democratic Party elects a former finance minister — once imprisoned on money laundering allegations tied to the Oyu Tolgoi deal — as their new General Secretary, and possibly their presidential candidate for 2027. Parliament debates holding hearings on the Epstein files, with two former Mongolian presidents named in the documents. A government ministry posts an AI-written condolence statement full of factual errors about a beloved writer, the minister deflects all blame, and the person who hit "post" loses their job — Mongolia's first documented firing over AI use. A 19-year-old conscript soldier dies in a hazing incident, the latest in a long pattern the military cannot seem to stop. A landmark Constitutional Court ruling against a criminal defamation law is being quietly replaced by something journalists say could be even worse. And Prime Minister Uchral fires the mayor of Ulaanbaatar in a very public market visit — a move that could signal the next round of civil war inside the Mongolian People's Party.If you have suggestions for our show, please get in touch at info[at]agulamedia.comAnd if you are a supporter of us at Buy Me a Coffee, The Great State Mural, you can access bonus content and help keep this show going.Host: AnandKeywords: Mongolia | Democratic Party | AI government | press freedom | military hazing | Ulaanbaatar mayor | Mongolian People's Party

Disinformation and its effect on Mongolia 13.05.2026 50min

Disinformation is not just a media problem. It is a democracy problem—and in Mongolia, it is becoming a crisis.Researcher and civic activist Batsugar Tsedendamba, board member of the Independent Research Institute of Mongolia (IRIM), joins us to unpack IRIM's landmark study on Mongolia's disinformation landscape. Who is spreading it? Who is funding it? And who is hurting from it? We examine domestic and foreign sources of disinformation and how social media has amplified its reach.If you have suggestions for our show, please get in touch at info[at]agulamedia.comAnd if you are a supporter of us at Buy Me a Coffee, The Great State Mural. You can listen to extra recordings as we dig further into Mongolia's civic space and what real democratic accountability might look like.[Three Universals] the "Fool":Fool me once, shame on you.Fool me twice, shame on me.Fool me three or more times—then I am not the fool, you are the fool! WHO is western propaganda. It is the vaccines that is how they control you. You are THE fool!Hosts: Anand, DolgionGuest: Batsugar TsedendambaKeywords: democracy | disinformation | civil society | media | politics

K G Hutchins “A Song for the Horses” - Many Wonders of the Morin Khuur 10.05.2026 1h 6min

The morin khuur—the Horse Head Fiddle—is one of Mongolia's most recognizable traditional musical instruments and symbols: a bridge between the nation and the horse, a tool that invokes the Khiimori, and much more.Ethnomusicologist ⁠Kip Hutchins⁠, author of A Song for the Horses, breaks all of these aspects down. We speak with Kip about the morin khuur as a living tool in herding practice. Follow Kip on ⁠BlueSky⁠.If you have any suggestions for our show, please get in touch with us at info[at]agulamedia.comAnd if you are a supporter of us at Buy Me Coffee, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Great State Mural⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. You can listen to extra recordings as we briefly discuss the current status of the MPP's infighting and how it came about.Three Universals to “Defray Boasting“:The foolish man praises himself.The unfoolish man praises his wife.The least foolish man praises his horse.Show notes:New Book Networks podcast interview with KG HutchinsArtists mentioned during the conversation, roughly in order of their mention:Story of the Weeping Camel (film)⁠Bayan Mongol Variety Group⁠: Жалам хар (A Black Horse)The Hu⁠Soyol Erdene⁠⁠Altan Urag⁠Bold: Mongol Pop⁠Aryuna Nimaeva⁠: Эрбэд соохор (Erbed Sokhor)Jonon⁠Namgar⁠⁠Altai-Khangai⁠⁠Khusugtun⁠

$1 Billion Highway: A path to progress, or is it an environmental catastrophe for Ulaanbaatar? 10.05.2026 52min

Ulaanbaatar's mayor wants to build a $1 billion highway along the Tuul River—the city's last remaining river and the primary source of water for 1.7 million people. The mayor contends that the project is essential to alleviate Ulaanbaatar's congestion issues, and he has thoroughly evaluated all environmental risks. But experts can't get the data for the project. Where are the environmental impact assessments? Why wasn't the public consulted before approving the project?In this episode, we sit down with urban governance expert and civil engineer Anu-Ujin Lkhagvasuren, who has spent five years working with the municipality and the World Bank on Ulaanbaatar's transportation challenges. She breaks down why building more roads has never solved traffic congestion anywhere in the world, why the mayor's own numbers don't add up, and what she believes is really driving 24 simultaneous mega-projects in a city that can barely keep its lights on. We also get into Belt and Road debt traps, forged signatures on environmental documents, and whether the #SaveTuul movement can win.52minHosts: Anand, DolgionGuest: Anu-Ujin LkhagvasurenDate Recorded: April 2 2026Original Release Date: April 4 2026Keywords: urban planning | corruption | Ulaanbaatar

Ulaanbaatar Stories - Julian’s Visit to UB 10.05.2026 51min

Recently Julian visited Mongolia, mainly Ulaanbaatar, in late March and early April. We discuss the things he noticed during his latest visit to the coldest capital in the world—Ulaanbaatar.51minHosts: Anand, Dolgion, JulianDate Recorded: Apr 10 2026Original Release date: Apr 15 2026Keywords: Ulaanbaatar | social change | art & cultureShow notes:Blog posts:Change in Ulaanbaatar (regular notes since 2011)Foreign Policy UpdateProducts, Projects and Locations mentioned:OchironeRoomKukhnar Contemporary Art SpaceBird Jazz CaféHeritage WorkshopGer Lamp

Is Mongolia actually a democracy, or is it just performing like one? 10.05.2026 50min

Mongolia ranks poorly on some of the world's most cited democracy indices. But what do those rankings actually measure—and do they tell the real story of how the country operates?In this episode, we break down how international democracy indices score Mongolia. Are those scores misleading? And whether Mongolian leaders are using these benchmarks as genuine governance tools or political cover. We try to answer all of those in this episode.Three Universals “Three Universals of Indices“:The index of the pointing varietyThe index of the book varietyThe index of the measuring varietyDate Recorded: Mar 25 2026Originally Released: Apr 1 2026Keywords: democracy | global indices | social scienceShow notes:Julian’s recent discussion of the uptick in VDem indices for MongoliaJulian’s Mongolia Scorecard collecting Mongolia’s score/rank on many different indicesV-Dem Graphing ToolsV-Dem MethodologyFreedom House Freedom in the World

Mongolia's Indifference to Data Security 10.05.2026 34min

In this episode, we sit down with Robert Ritz from the American University of Mongolia, who also runs Data.mn. Robert has been working in Mongolia for over a decade and is one of the few people actively teaching data literacy and championing the importance of data in the country — and he also happens to be our biggest supporter of the podcast.Beyond that, we dive into how Mongolians perceive and relate to data, explore some of the major data security incidents that have unfolded in Mongolia, and discuss what measures have been put in place to address and prevent data breaches. All of which leads us into a broader conversation about Mongolian attitudes toward data and privacy.

Why are Mongolia's youth disengaged? 06.08.2025 36min

In this episode of The Great State Mural: Mongolia Portrayed, we turn our focus to Mongolia’s youth. Often described as one of the world’s youngest democracies, Mongolia has carried that label for over three decades now. But is that moniker still valid? And is the younger generation truly engaged in the democratic process, or are there barriers preventing them from taking a more active role?Hosts Dolgion Aldar, Julian Dierkes, and Anand Tumurtogoo explore how young Mongolians interact with politics, what challenges discourage their involvement, and whether political apathy is truly growing — or if there’s more beneath the surface than meets the eye.If you have any suggestions for our show, please get in touch with us at info[at]agulamedia.comAnd support our work by becoming member at ⁠⁠⁠The Great State Mural

Are there any progressive movements in Mongolia? 17.09.2025 48min

In this episode of The Great State Mural: Mongolia Portrayed, we explore why progressive movements have struggled to take root in Mongolia. Despite three decades of democracy, the country has made significant progress in social equality, labor rights, environmental justice, and gender equity. However, national politics frequently ignores and fails to recognize these accomplishments. In Mongolia today, public debate and political discourse lean heavily toward libertarian and capitalist ideas, with media often amplifying right-wing perspectives. But why do progressive movements and ideas receive so little attention? Is this neglect rooted in Mongolia’s socialist past, or are other forces at play?We talk with Khishigtugs Amarbayasgalan, a sociology graduate student at the University of Mannheim, whose viral social media posts on inequality, capitalism, and progressive ideas have sparked debate in Mongolia. He shares his perspective on why progressive movements have struggled to gain traction in the country — and what it will take to change that.You can also check out his piece on Natsagdorj and his ties to progressive thought at Mongolia focus: Guest Post: May Day by Natsagdorj - Mongolia FocusMongolia FocusIf you have any suggestions for our show, please get in touch with us at info[at]agulamedia.comAnd support our work by becoming member at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Great State Mural

Prime Minister Zandanshatar's 100 days in office 01.10.2025 40min

In our 10th episode of The Great State Mural: Mongolia Portrayed, we will discuss the 100 days of Zandanshatar Gombojov in office as the Prime Minister of Mongolia.This month marked the first 100 days of Mongolia’s new Prime Minister, Zandanshatar Gombojav, who stepped in after Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai was ousted in a no-confidence vote. Zandanshatar entered office promising both continuity and urgent fixes to the economy, as he promised cuts to government spending. He worked to rally public support and steady the economy—but just 100 days in, his legitimacy came under fire.After losing the Mongolian People's Party chairmanship vote, cracks have begun to show within the ruling party itself. In this episode, we unpack Zandanshatar’s lackluster start to his premiership, the internal cracks of the MPP, and what his shaky footing means for Mongolia’s political future.If you have any suggestions for our show, please get in touch with us at info[at]agulamedia.comAnd support our work by becoming member at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Great State Mural

Mongolia Questions Rio Again 07.01.2026 42min

In this episode, we talk about recent hearings of Oyu Tolgoi mines and their licensing agreements that have sparked controversy and kicked off the parliament oversight hearing. For the longest time, Mongolia has had a lovers-to-enemies relationship with Rio Tinto, the majority shareholder in the Oyu Tolgoi copper mine. Over the years, a trail of hearings, deals, and renegotiations has led some political figures to prison, while others (very few) emerged with elevated status. Yet regardless of who gained or lost, Mongolia has never been fully at ease with its largest foreign investment — the massive underground copper-gold project in the South Gobi.Now, a new controversy has entered the picture. A third company, Entrée Resources, has laid claim to a share of the project, and its recent arbitration victory over licensing rights became the catalyst for the latest parliamentary hearings. In this episode, we ask: were these hearings a necessary, or political theatre that risks scaring off future investors?If you have any suggestions for our show, please get in touch with us at info[at]agulamedia.comAnd if you are a supporter of us at Buy Me Coffee, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Great State Mural⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. You can listen to extra recordings as we briefly discuss the current status of the MPP's infighting and how it came about.

Is it too late to fix Mongolia's corruption? 24.12.2025 52min

In this episode, we talk about corruption in Mongolia — a topic every Mongolian thinks about every day and night. Mongolians often feel that all politicians are corrupt, the system itself is corrupt, and that corruption is part of culture and everyday life.But how bad is corruption in Mongolia, really? Has it reached an endemic stage, or is there still a path back?To unpack these questions, we’re joined by Tegshbayar Darambazar, a lawyer and specialist in compliance and anti–money laundering, who has conducted extensive research on corruption in Mongolia.If you have any suggestions for our show, please get in touch with us at info[at]agulamedia.comAnd if you are a supporter of us at Buy Me Coffee, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Great State Mural⁠⁠⁠⁠. You can listen to extra recordings as we briefly discuss the current status of the MPP's infighting and how it came about.

Will the new leader of Mongolian People's Party bring unity to the Party? 26.11.2025 47min

In this episode, we discuss the new appointment of Uchral Nyam-Osor as the party chair of the Mongolian People's Party. Why was he chosen? why wasn't Zandanshatar chosen as the new party leader? Moving forward, what implication does his appointment have for the grand scheme of Mongolian politics.If you have any suggestions for our show, please get in touch with us at info[at]agulamedia.comAnd if you are a supporter of us at Buy Me Coffee, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Great State Mural⁠⁠. You can listen to extra recordings as we briefly discuss the current status of the MPP's infighting and how it came about.

A Familiar Face, A New Role: Mongolia’s New Prime Minister Zandanshatar 25.06.2025 31min

Zandanshatar Gombojav, the former speaker of Parliament and the president's chief of staff, has been appointed Mongolia's new Prime Minister. We will look at who Zandanshatar is and how he rose to become the new prime minister, his legitimacy as prime minister given that he does not have a place in parliament, and his new cabinet. EDIT: There were audio issues with the first upload. resolved those issues in the new upload.get in touch with us at info[at]agulamedia.comAnd support our work by becoming member at The Great State Mural

Team Mongolia Overcame the Odds in Netflix's "Physical Asia": implications of their success 10.12.2025 42min

Mongolians have been obsessed with Netflix's hit show Physical: Asia. The Mongolian team not only received support from Mongolians but also from all over the world because of how well they performed.Their achievement represented the story of underdogs and also served as a true reflection of the potential that Mongolians possess.We discuss the achievements of the Mongolian team, dive into the cultural aspects of trusting one another and self-belief, and how Team Mongolia’s performance on Physical: Asia broke the negative stereotypes Mongolians hold about each other.If you have any suggestions for our show, please get in touch with us at info[at]agulamedia.comAnd if you are a supporter of us at Buy Me Coffee, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Great State Mural⁠⁠⁠. You can listen to extra recordings as we briefly discuss the current status of the MPP's infighting and how it came about.

Double Whammy: Mongolia’s Prime Minister and Parliament Speaker Ousted 17.10.2025 36min

SPECIAL EPISODE:Mongolia saw unprecedented political crises in its democratic history. As Mongolia's ruling party—the Mongolian People's Party (MPP)—waged war within itself over the leadership position, the battle culminated in both Prime Minister Zandanshatar Gombojav and Speaker of the State Great Khural Amarbaysgalan Dashzegve being dismissed in a single parliamentary session.Zandanshatar’s removal marks one of the shortest tenures for a Mongolian prime minister, a fate he might have avoided.In this episode of The Great State Mural: Mongolia Portrayed, we break down what led to this turmoil, how party infighting brought the government to its knees, and what might come next for Mongolia’s political future.If you have any suggestions for our show, please get in touch with us at info[at]agulamedia.comAnd support our work by becoming member at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Great State Mural