Central Asia

A bad Ukraine peace could ignite new wars in Russia’s former empire

By Joseph Epstein

If a settlement in Ukraine frees up Russian military resources without establishing credible deterrents against further Kremlin aggression, Moscow will have the means and the motive to reassert dominance elsewhere in its former empire, writes Joseph Epstein.

Dispatch from Central Asia: Dynamism amid uncertainty in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan

By Andrew D’Anieri

As Central Asia’s geopolitical importance grows, there are significant opportunities for greater US diplomatic and economic engagement with Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.

Global Foresight 2036

In this year’s Global Foresight edition, our experts share findings from our survey of geostrategists on how human affairs could unfold over the next decade. Our scholars spot “snow leopards” that could have major unexpected impacts over the next decade. And our tech experts put AI’s forecasting ability to the test.

Welcome to 2036: What the world could look like in ten years, according to nearly 450 experts

By Mary Kate Aylward, Peter Engelke, Uri Friedman, and Paul Kielstra

We polled geostrategists and foresight practitioners on our most burning questions about the biggest drivers of change over the next decade. Check out their forecasts on everything from the future of NATO to the rise of cryptocurrency.

Rare earth mining could solve, not worsen, Central Asia’s water troubles

By Andrew D’Anieri

States in the region can capture a net “water dividend” by reinvesting mining revenues in water-saving infrastructure and technologies.

Experts react: Kazakhstan will join the Abraham Accords. Here’s what that means for the US, the Middle East, and Central Asia

By Atlantic Council experts

President Donald Trump announced the news during a White House meeting with Kazakh President Kassym Jomart-Tokayev and other Central Asian leaders. Our experts break down the implications.

Dispatch from Uzbekistan: Regional peace progress and economic growth reveal opportunities for US engagement

By Andrew D’Anieri

The advances toward peace in the Fergana Valley and Uzbekistan’s economic growth should encourage deeper US engagement in the region.

Working within a ‘Central Asia Quartet’ can strengthen US ties in the region. The foundations for it have already been laid.

By Kiran Baez

To strengthen their ties to Central Asia, the United States, Turkey, Japan, and South Korea should work together on their engagement with the region.

Why Washington should pay attention to Turkey’s presence in Central Asia

By Kiran Baez

Understanding Turkey's presence in Central Asia its implication for US foreign policy objectives in the region.