Are small modular reactors in Kazakhstan’s nuclear energy future?

Issue Brief Jul 3, 2024

Caspian contributions to energy security in Europe

By John M. Roberts and Julian Bowden

This issue brief explores the potential for Caspian region fossil fuel developments to meet Europe’s energy needs, considering regional factors and challenges.
Central Asia Europe & Eurasia
Are small modular reactors in Kazakhstan’s nuclear energy future?

New Atlanticist Jun 5, 2024

A high-level official’s conviction opens the door for progress on women’s rights in Kazakhstan

By Margarita Assenova

A former economy minister’s murder case has sparked renewed efforts to confront domestic abuse and promote women’s rights in Kazakhstan.
Central Asia Human Rights
Are small modular reactors in Kazakhstan’s nuclear energy future?

TURKEYSource May 22, 2024

There’s an alternative to Russian-based trade routes—but it needs support from the US, EU, and Turkey

By Arnold C. Dupuy

The Middle Corridor can offer an alternative to the Russian-based Northern Corridor, as long as countries can surmount these remaining challenges.
Central Asia Economy & Business

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Content

New Atlanticist

Apr 29, 2025

Are small modular reactors in Kazakhstan’s nuclear energy future?

By Aruzhan Meirkhanova

While Kazakhstan’s immediate nuclear focus is on a large-scale power plant, in the coming years small modular reactors could offer several advantages.

Central Asia Nuclear Energy

EnergySource

Apr 15, 2025

Central Asia’s geography inhibits a US critical minerals partnership

By Haley Nelson and Natalia Storz

Central Asia holds vast critical mineral resources, but limited export capacity and complex environmental, geopolitical, and legal risks make large-scale US investment unfeasible. The US should instead focus its efforts on allied nations with established mineral export industries.

Central Asia Energy & Environment

In the News

Mar 24, 2025

Tahir in MSNBC on how Trump’s decision to cut Radio Free Europe comes at a great cost to democracy

By Muhammad Tahir

On March 24, Muhammad Tahir, nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center and former RFE/RL Central and South Asia liaison in Washington, DC, was published in MSNBC on the termination of the US Agency for Global Media’s RFE/RL federal funding grant and its impact.

Central Asia Civil Society

New Atlanticist

Feb 10, 2025

How Trump can unlock new strategic economic opportunities in Central Asia

By Andrew D’Anieri, Katherine Spencer

Starting with the repeal of the Cold War–era Jackson-Vanik Amendment, the Trump administration could transform US policy toward Central Asian countries for the better.

Central Asia Economy & Business

Report

Feb 7, 2025

Central Asia needs regional and international cooperation to bolster water security

By Ariel Cohen, Wesley Alexander Hill, Wilder Alejandro Sánchez

A new Atlantic Council report, “Water insecurity in Central Asia: The imperative for regional and international cooperation” details the developing water crises in Central Asia and outlines strategies to combat water insecurity in the region.

Central Asia Climate Change & Climate Action

Freedom and Prosperity Around the World

Feb 5, 2025

Surrounded by superpowers, Kazakhstan walks a geopolitical tightrope

By Nargis Kassenova

Still a relatively young nation, Kazakhstan finds itself at critical juncture amid a series of domestic and geopolitical shocks. Its future depends on the success of economic liberalization efforts—and a delicate balancing act: The country must strengthen ties with the West and simultaneously manage its relations with powerful neighbors like Russia and China.

Central Asia Elections

In the News

Jan 22, 2025

Shaffer in Real Clear Energy: “The Hidden Renewable Energy in Central Asia”

By Brenda Shaffer

Central Asia Energy & Environment

In the News

Dec 12, 2024

Shaffer in Real Clear Energy: Europe’s Nuclear Energy and Central Asian Uranium

By Brenda Shaffer

Central Asia Europe & Eurasia

UkraineAlert

Dec 12, 2024

Foreign troops help Putin avoid pitfalls of another Russian mobilization

By Katherine Spencer

Russia’s growing use of foreign troops in Ukraine is a dangerous trend that promises to prolong the war and has the potential to fuel international instability, writes Katherine Spencer.

Central Asia Conflict

New Atlanticist

Nov 27, 2024

IS-K terrorists already pose a global threat. Now Russia might be making the danger worse.

By Katherine Spencer

US policymakers should expect a growing blind spot coming out of Russia resulting from Moscow’s ineffective counterterrorism measures.

Central Asia Middle East
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Experts

Fellow

Rich Outzen

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Atlantic Council in Turkey

Arabic Central Asia

Fellow

Muhammad Tahir

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Eurasia Center

Central Asia Media

Staff

Joseph Webster

Senior Fellow, Global Energy Center

Global Energy Center Indo-Pacific Security Initiative

Central Asia China

Fellow

Niva Yau

Nonresident Fellow

Global China Hub

Africa Central Asia