Stephen M. Bland is a freelance journalist, award-winning author, editor, commentator and researcher for the BBC and HBO, specialising on Central Asia and the Caucasus. His articles have appeared in The Diplomat, EurasiaNet, Vice, Motherboard and many other publications. He is currently working for the OCCRP-affiliated NGO, and on a major documentary series covered by an NDA. Published in 2016, his debut book, 'Does it Yurt? Travels in Central Asia or How I Came to Love the Stans' was the winner of the Golden Laureate of Eurasian Literature. He is currently putting the finishing touches to a book about the Caucasus.