The Great State Mural - Mongolia Portrayed

In this episode, we discuss parliament’s latest budget hearing, where New Kharkhorin, President Khurelsukh’s planned city in the Orkhon Valley, finally faced scrutiny. MP Tsenguun calls it “an empty city where nobody lives,” yet it already has four administrative bodies on the public payroll, and MNT 7.7 billion is proposed to run them next year. From Maidar City to Oyun-Erdene’s 14 mega projects and Uchral’s green data centers, Mongolia’s grand ambitions look good on paper but too often become money sinks that leave the public holding the bill. So is New Kharkhorum a city in the making, or just another grand idea politicians need to stop pursuing?

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Three Universals: Shines

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Hosts: Anand, Dolgion, Julian

Keywords: Mongolia | New Kharkhorin | mega projects | Khurelsukh | state budget | Orkhon Valley | Maidar City | Erdenet | corruption | urban planning

2027 will be an interesting year for Mongolia as the presidential election kicks off. All the while there appears to be no clear incumbent on the ballot for the first time in years. Current President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa is constitutionally barred from a second term, and that vacancy has already set off quiet jockeying among the hopefuls in his party—there are few names that have been floated as potentials to represent the Mongolian People's Party.

Anand and Julian break down the field: who's in contention for the MPP, who might champion the Democratic Party, whether the HUN Party has any credible play left after neutering its own outsider image while in the coalition, and even which personalities look to be absent from contention.

Note: This episode was recorded before the dismissal of Justice Minister Amarsaikhan Sainbuyan. His candidacy is discussed here as an active possibility. As such, we will definitely revisit the topic a few more times before the election. Stay tuned for our follow-up coverage.

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Hosts: Anand, Julian

Keywords: Mongolia | presidential election 2027 | MPP | Democratic Party | Khurelsukh Ukhnaa | Battsetseg Batmunkh | Zandanshatar Gombojov | Mongolian politics

A philosopher says, "There are no such people as Mongolians." Two weeks later, he's in pretrial detention.

Molor-Erdene—a controversial Mongolian philosopher and public intellectual—was detained on September 2nd under Article 19.9 of the Criminal Code, which covers "undermining national unity," a charge carrying a sentence of five to twelve years. His alleged crime: stating on a Facebook talk show that "Mongolians" as a people don't exist, that Chinggis Khan wasn't Mongol, and that Mongolia's historical identity is a construction that holds the country back from thinking about its future.

We break down what Molor-Erdene actually argued, and was his argument were sufficient to be detained. More importantly, we examine what this case reveals about the state of free speech in Mongolia: a "national unity" law loosely used to undermine freedom of speech, a Justice Minister with a pattern of deploying legal power against critics, and a political environment where the chilling effect may already be doing its job.

We also ask: where was the Justice Minister when an MP was on attacking Mongolia's Kazakh minority with racist language? Why is abstract philosophical provocation a criminal matter, but concrete ethnic discrimination is not?

NOTE: Minister of Justice, S Amarsaikhan was dismissed on Sept. 16 on unrelated issues discussed in this episode.

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Hosts: Anand, Dolgion, Julian

Keywords: Mongolia | free speech | national unity | Molor-Erdene | Amarsaikhan | censorship | authoritarianism | Freedom of Speech | Chinggis Khaan|

COP17 is over. Nearly 200 parties spent two weeks in Ulaanbaatar trying to turn desertification pledges into actual action. Did the parties turn their pledges into unanimous binding declarations?

We discuss how COP17 turned out, the major decisions, and the overall sentiment. We are joined by guests who know more about Rio conventions, Enkhuun Byambadorj of Breathe Mongolia, who worked with the UNCCD's Civil Society Organizations panel throughout, and Sainsanaa Amarsanaa, COP29 youth delegate and the host of the Beyond Greenhouse podcast.

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Hosts: Anand Tumurtogoo, Julian Dierkes
Guests: Enkhuun Byambadorj (Breathe Mongolia), Sainsanaa Amarsanaa (Beyond Greenhouse)
Keywords: COP17 | UNCCD | Mongolia | desertification | land restoration | civil society | drought | Ulaanbaatar

Mongolia has been facing fuel shortages since the start of summer. The conflict in the Strait of Hormuz and Ukraine's drone strikes on key Russian infrastructure have had their measure impact on Mongolia's fuel supplies. Even as reports show fuel being constantly transported into Mongolia, the country has had less than 20 days of reserves. Recently, the Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources went around Ulaanbaatar cracking down on petrol businesses that have been lying about running out of fuel. This has caused major disruptions across the country. This isn't the first time Mongolia has faced fuel shortages, but should this be a wake-up call for Mongolia to plan ahead, look for alternatives -- even look towards China's booming EVs and let go of its old fears of China? We discuss this with Telmen Altanshagai, an energy security specialist, and her recent article in The Diplomat.

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Local Bank account for donations: MN790015003105153063

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Hosts: Anand, Dolgion

Guest: Telmen Altanshagai

Keywords: Mongolia | fuel shortage | energy security | Russia | Strait of Hormuz | Ukraine war | electrification | China

Simon Wickham-Smith joins us on this episode. Simon is the foremost scholar and translator of contemporary Mongolian literature into English, he's spent decades bringing Mongolian prose and poetry to readers who'd otherwise have no way in — work that culminated in Politics and Literature in Mongolia (1921-48), one of the only English-language studies of the period. Simon and we discuss his book and what Natsagdorj Dashdorj meant to Mongolians and why he is so revered and should he be revered.
Here is the link to Simon's book: Politics and Literature in Mongolia (1921-1948) | Simon Wickhamsmith |
Simon’s podcast conversation about that book on New Books Network: East Asian Studies
And here is the link to read English translation of the Tears of Venerable Lama: TEARS OF A VENERABLE LAMA | Translation Studies

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And if you're a supporter of us at Buy Me a Coffee, The Great State Mural — thank you for keeping the show going. And if you live in Mongolia you can directly support the podcast by donating to our account:

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Hosts: Anand, Julian

Guest: Simon Wickham-Smith

Keywords: Mongolia | Natsagdorj | Mongolian literature | Simon Wickham-Smith | 1921 revolution | Mongolian People's Republic | translation | poetry | Soviet literature

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.

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For anyone in Mongolia, you can donate to Agula Media’s Golomt Bank Account: MN790015003105153063.

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Hosts: Anand, Julian

Guest: 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

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?

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Three Universals: The Big Brother

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Hosts: Anand, Dolgion, Julian

Guest: Dr. Marissa J. Smith

Keywords: Mongolia | Russia | Ukraine war | Putin | Power of Siberia 2 | foreign policy | China | post-socialism

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.

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Three Universals: The Three Sins of the State

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?

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Keywords: Mongolia | MPP | Ulaanbaatar | Mongolian politics | Mongolia's Democratic Party | Inflation | budget deficit | Strait of Hormuz

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.

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And 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: Anand

Keywords: Mongolia | Democratic Party | AI government | press freedom | military hazing | Ulaanbaatar mayor | Mongolian People's Party

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.com

And 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":

Hosts: Anand, Dolgion

Guest: Batsugar Tsedendamba

Keywords: democracy | disinformation | civil society | media | politics

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.com

And 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:

Artists mentioned during the conversation, roughly in order of their mention:

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.
52min

Hosts: Anand, Dolgion

Guest: Anu-Ujin Lkhagvasuren

Date Recorded: April 2 2026

Original Release Date: April 4 2026

Keywords: urban planning | corruption | Ulaanbaatar

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.

51min

Hosts: Anand, Dolgion, Julian

Date Recorded: Apr 10 2026

Original Release date: Apr 15 2026

Keywords: Ulaanbaatar | social change | art & culture

Show notes:

Blog posts:

Products, Projects and Locations mentioned:

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 variety

Date Recorded: Mar 25 2026

Originally Released: Apr 1 2026

Keywords: democracy | global indices | social science

Show notes:

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.

The Mongolian People's Party started its spring cleaning. The party wants to shake off its bad apples, mainly the former prime minister’s wing — members who tried to oust the current prime minister.

President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa has introduced a draft law to recall members of the State Great Khural (Parliament). The proposal is aimed at strengthening accountability by allowing MPs to be removed if they commit serious ethical breaches, violate their oath, or are legally convicted of crimes. This marks a significant effort to increase public oversight of lawmakers and enforce their responsibility to voters. However, how legitimate and well thought through the draft proposal is remains iffy.

Last week, the Mongolian People’s Party (MPP) held its congress, where the party chair, Uchral, stated that the party will start the removal of four members. These members include the speaker and deputy speaker, a former energy minister, and a major PR person for the party. The announcement at the congress reflected ongoing tensions over leadership, party cohesion, and the consolidation of party leadership.

And 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.

In this special episode of The Great State Mural: Mongolia Portrayed, in celebration of Tsagaan Sar, the Mongolian Lunar New Year, we have a more lighthearted episode. We talk about what Tsagaan Sar means to us, our experiences, and some tips for those who are maybe celebrating it for the first time.

If you have any suggestions for our show, please get in touch with us at info[at]agulamedia.com

And 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.

In this episode, we discuss why Mongolia’s power grid has been under strain for nearly two decades. Despite repeated development plans and infrastructure proposals, the country has struggled to modernize its aging energy system.

As a result, widespread power outages in Ulaanbaatar throughout January highlight deep institutional issues in Mongolia’s electricity network and raise urgent questions about planning, investment, and accountability.

Where did Mongolia’s energy policy go wrong—and what would it take to fix the country’s electricity crisis?

If you have any suggestions for our show, please get in touch with us at info[at]agulamedia.com

And 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.

Mongolians have rarely had any connection to Venezuela—aside from a brief moment in the 90s, when a Venezuelan soap opera unexpectedly captured all of Mongolians' attention.

But with the following capture of Venezuela’s president Nicolas Maduro by U.S. forces, "MERGEN Takes" took hold in Mongolia, with commentators, pundits, columnists, and social media users issuing predictions and warnings that Mongolia could face a similar fate if it continues down a “socialist” path.

But is Mongolia actually governed by socialism? Do people truly understand what the label "socialism" means?

We explore these questions in this episode of The Great State Mural.

If you have any suggestions for our show, please get in touch with us at info[at]agulamedia.com

And 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.

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.com

And 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.

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.com

And 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.

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.com

And 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.

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.com

And 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.

Winter has come, and air pollution has started to plague Mongolia again. For more than two decades, residents ofUlaanbaatar have endured and protested against the city’s air pollution. Despite repeated government promises of cleaner air, little has changed. Each winter feels like Groundhog Day — citizens demand action, policymakers pledge solutions, and yet, year after year, Mongolia’s air quality crisis remains unresolved.

In this episode, we speak with Enkhuun Byambadorj, co-founder and director of operations at Breathe Mongolia — an advocacy coalition dedicated to improving the air quality in Mongolia. Enkhuun shares insights on what needs to change, why progress has been slow, and what steps could finally lead to cleaner air for Mongolia’s future.

If you have any suggestions for our show, please get in touch with us at info[at]agulamedia.com

And 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.

It’s alive — it’s alive! Much like Frankenstein’s resurrection, Mongolia’s Constitutional Court has brought the government back to life.

It’s been a turbulent month in Mongolian politics. The ruling party’s leadership battle fractured the party, government, and parliament—leading to the ouster of the prime minister and the resignation of the speaker. But in a dramatic turn, the Constitutional Court ruled the vote to dismiss the prime minister unconstitutional, marking a major moment in Mongolia’s legal and political history.

This ruling reaffirms Mongolia as a nation governed by law — yet it also raises new questions about the limits of power in a single-chamber parliament.

In this episode of The Great State Mural, lawyer Manduul Altangerel joins us to unpack the implications of the Constitutional Court’s decision and what it means for Mongolia’s political and legal systems.

If you have any suggestions for our show, please get in touch with us at info[at]agulamedia.com

And if you are a supporter of us at Buy Me Coffee ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Great State Mural. You can listen to extra recording from this episode.

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.com

And support our work by becoming member at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Great State Mural

The infighting hasn't stopped, and things are just heating up. In this episode ofThe Great State Mural: Mongolia Portrayed, we turn our attention to the feud within the Mongolian People’s Party.Prime Minister Zandanshatar losing party chair vote Speaker Amarbayasgalan has opened the floodgates of all the corruption allegations from bothsides.

Who is winning from this mudslinging? While the party leadership are talking behind doors, deciding their power dynamics, teachers and health workers are demanding better wages, and their demands are falling on deaf ears.

If you have any suggestions for our show, please get in touch with us at info[at]agulamedia.com

And support our work by becoming member at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Great State Mural

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.

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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 Focus

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In this episode of The Great State Mural: Mongolia Portrayed, we take a closer look at Mongolia’s education system as a new school year begins. While education is deeply valued and widely celebrated, the system itself struggles to keep pace with the country’s needs.

Children in public schools face steep barriers compared to children who attend private schools, while public school teachers battle overcrowded classrooms, stagnant wages, and a lack of institutional support. Despite the challenges, education remains at the heart of Mongolia’s future—yet the question lingers: is the leadership doing enough to truly support it? We explore this and talk in depth about Mongolia's education system.

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In this episode of The Great State Mural: Mongolia Portrayed, we have our first guest on the show, Professor Sergey Radchenko. In this episode, we step back in time to explore Mongolia’s role as a Soviet satellite state and what role Mongolia played in Stalin's aspirations for Asia. Professor Sergey Radchenko explains why Mongolia mattered to Stalin, from trying to wedge Mongolia away from China to how Mongolian leaders themselves emulated Stalin and pushed the Soviet Union's agenda for their own gain or preservation.

Check out Sergey Radchenko's new book: Sergey Radchenko, "To Run the World: The Kremlin's Cold War Bid for Global Power" (Cambridge UP, 2024) - New Books Network

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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.

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In this episode of The Great State Mural: Mongolia Portrayed, we unpack the newly seated government and their attempts to amend the 2025 state budget following the resignation of former Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene. Are the changes to the amendment justified, or is Mongolia making the same mistake they have made before?

hosts Dolgion Aldar, Julian Dierkes, and Anand Tumurtogoo examines the prime minister's approach to amending the budget as the new government proposes spending cuts, the lack of economic diversification, and the political habit of fast-tracking reforms during crises—including the failure to implement a functioning sovereign wealth fund. And how the dependence on mining seems to blindside Mongolian politicians to the volatility of Mongolia's economy.

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While our podcast primarily explores Mongolia’s politics and society, we’ll also take time to dive into the rich cultural heritage and traditions that shapes Mongolia.

In this special episode, we introduce a foundational theme of the show: “The Three Universals” — a concept rooted in Mongolian oral folk tradition. And our own three universals at the top of the episodes will serve as a guiding thread — our “north star” — for future discussions.

Whether you're new to Mongolian culture or looking to reconnect with its philosophical roots, this episode offers a meaningful introduction to the values that continue to shape Mongolia today.

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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.

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Due to technical issues, our main topic discussion on the new Prime Minister of Mongolia was lost. But we still wanted to give something to our listeners, so please enjoy why and how we started this podcast.

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In today’s episode, we’re diving into the resignation of Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene—how it unfolded, what led to this turning point, and what it means for Mongolia’s political future.

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