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Between East and West

Central Asia

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.

Explore Central Asia
Experts react: 2021 Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tajikistan

SouthAsiaSource Sep 15, 2021

The implications of the Taliban’s new government for Afghanistan

The Atlantic Council’s South Asia Center, in partnership with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, recorded a panel discussion on Tuesday, September 14 to discuss what the future holds for Afghanistan amid the Taliban’s new government and recent political developments in the country.

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Experts react: 2021 Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tajikistan

UkraineAlert Jul 15, 2021

Is Kazakhstan experiencing the early stages of a democratic awakening?

By Rustam Kypshakbayev

While it is too early to speak of a democratic awakening in Kazakhstan, current trends suggest that the country may be moving in that direction. This could have major repercussions for the wider region.
Central Asia Civil Society
Experts react: 2021 Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tajikistan

New Atlanticist Jun 2, 2021

The gathering threat to the US in Kyrgyzstan

By Lillian Posner

As President Sadyr Japarov takes aim at Kyrgyz and US institutions, the US has not only an opportunity but a responsibility to help with democracy-building and make sure the Kyrgyz people get the message.
Central Asia Corruption
Featured events
Mon, September 27, 2021 • 10:30 am ET

After Afghanistan: Why Central Asia is more important than ever

There is an opportunity for the United States to re-engage with Central Asia on key issues. With a resurgent Taliban in power to the south, an increasingly assertive China to the east, and a revanchist Russia to the north, the region is more important than ever.
Afghanistan Central Asia Economy & Business Politics & Diplomacy

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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.

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Experts

Fellow

Rayhan Asat

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Central Asia China

Fellow

Ariel Cohen

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Eurasia Center

Central Asia Politics & Diplomacy

Staff

Andrew D’Anieri

Program Assistant

Eurasia Center

Central Asia Inclusive Growth

Staff

John E. Herbst

Senior Director

Eurasia Center

Ukraine Politics & Diplomacy

Fellow

Carrie Lee

Senior Advisor

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Afghanistan Central Asia

Fellow

Brian Mefford

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Eurasia Center

Ukraine Elections
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Content

SouthAsiaSource

Sep 22, 2021

Experts react: 2021 Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tajikistan

By South Asia Center

On September 17, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) held a heads-of-state summit in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, in a hybrid virtual and in-person setting. Consisting of China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and most recently Iran, the SCO meeting primarily discussed the evolving situation in Afghanistan and its ramifications for member states as well as the international community more broadly.

Afghanistan Central Asia

EnergySource

Sep 20, 2021

Will a Taliban victory advance TAPI?

By Steve Mann

The Taliban's ascent in Afghanistan has shaken up the prospects for a pipeline from Turkmenistan to India. Financial and reputational risks abound, and though a few possibilities remain, they possess serious limitations, calling the pipeline's future into question.

Central Asia Energy & Environment

In the News

Jul 19, 2021

Herbst in The National Interest: Can U.S.-Russia Cooperation Bolster Afghanistan and Central Asia?

By Atlantic Council

Central Asia Cybersecurity

UkraineAlert

Jul 15, 2021

Is Kazakhstan experiencing the early stages of a democratic awakening?

By Rustam Kypshakbayev

While it is too early to speak of a democratic awakening in Kazakhstan, current trends suggest that the country may be moving in that direction. This could have major repercussions for the wider region.

Central Asia Civil Society

Press Release

Jun 9, 2021

Rayhan Asat Joins the Atlantic Council as Nonresident Senior Fellow

By Atlantic Council

Rayhan will play a leading role in the Council’s growing work on international human rights and strategic litigation and accountability, with a particular focus on China and East Asia.

Central Asia China

New Atlanticist

Jun 2, 2021

The gathering threat to the US in Kyrgyzstan

By Lillian Posner

As President Sadyr Japarov takes aim at Kyrgyz and US institutions, the US has not only an opportunity but a responsibility to help with democracy-building and make sure the Kyrgyz people get the message.

Central Asia Corruption

New Atlanticist

May 18, 2021

An Afghanistan at peace could connect South and Central Asia

By Emily Carll

Afghanistan’s potential as a contributor to development and prosperity in Asia has gone unrealized. If it were a stable neighbor, as the current Afghan peace process is meant to make it, Afghanistan could harness its potential as the “heart of Asia” and connect the South and Central Asian regions.

Afghanistan Central Asia

In the News

Apr 21, 2021

Akhtar in Pakistan Politico: Come September: Holding stakeholders responsible for the chaos in Afghanistan

By Atlantic Council

Afghanistan Central Asia

In the News

Apr 16, 2021

Kroenig and Ashford debate US withdrawal from Afghanistan and Russia’s intentions behind a military buildup on the Ukrainian border

By Atlantic Council

On April 16, Foreign Policy published a biweekly column featuring Scowcroft Center deputy director Matthew Kroenig and New American Engagement Initiative senior fellow Emma Ashford discussing the latest news in international affairs. In this column, they discuss Biden’s plan to withdraw all US forces from Afghanistan by September 11, the significance of Russia military buildup on the border […]

Afghanistan Central Asia

In the News

Mar 10, 2021

Ahmad quoted in Emirates News Agency on Afghanistan’s desire be bridge between South, Central Asia, Gulf with UAE’s digitalisation support

By Atlantic Council

Afghanistan Central Asia
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