A Crossroads between East and West
Central Asia in focus
The Central Asian Republics—Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan—are located at the nexus of Russia, China, South Asia, and the Middle East. Leveraging their critical geography, these nations are renewing their role as the crossroads of trade between the West and Asia—resulting in significant economic development, especially in the sectors of energy and natural resources. While moves toward reform and democracy have been made since independence in 1991, corruption and human rights issues remain prevalent throughout the region.
Mon, May 4, 2020
COVID-19 pandemic puts Central Asia’s resilience to the test
The repercussions of the global economic downturn will likely be amplified in Central Asia, where healthcare resources are limited, supply chains are vulnerable, and government revenues are dependent on commodity prices.
Mon, Jun 1, 2020
The role of Russia and the Russian language in post-Karimov Uzbekistan
Hardening on language policy at the expense of the Russian language is a significant reversal from Karimov’s tacit encouragement of pluralism.
New Atlanticist by
Sat, Feb 29, 2020
The Greater Caspian region: A new Silk Road, with or without a new belt
With the signing of a US-Taliban peace agreement, now might be a good time to look ahead to how Afghanistan might strengthen its economic connectivity with both its neighbors and more distant markets.
Long Take by Matthew Bryza
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Wed, Jun 17, 2020
Disproving the discourse of danger: Kazakhstan at thirty
Central Asian independence in the 1990s spawned enormous anxiety among observers who foresaw cascading threats of Islamic terrorism, internecine war, ethnic conflicts within or between these states, or violence between Russian settlers and their new governments. Thirty years on, Kazakhstan has steered past many of these potential flashpoints and avoided the “discourse of danger.”
New Atlanticist by
Fri, Jun 21, 2019
Kazakhstan: The thorn in the side of Russia’s energy colossus
Kazakhstan, a rising regional power in the midst of economic and political transformation, may prove to be the weak link in Russia’s energy empire.
EnergySource by
Mon, Mar 25, 2019
Making sense of Nazarbayev’s abrupt resignation in Kazakhstan
Nazarbayev’s abrupt departure from power may also be an attempt to preserve his image as the “father of the nation” and economic modernizer before things start to fall apart.
New Atlanticist by
The Eurasia Center’s mission is to enhance transatlantic cooperation in promoting stability, democratic values and prosperity in Eurasia, from Eastern Europe and Turkey in the West to the Caucasus, Russia and Central Asia in the East.
