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.

Transit through Georgia – Potential for US Foreign Policy Success

New Atlanticist
Oct 28, 2025

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.

Central Asia
Crisis Management

Transit through Georgia – Potential for US Foreign Policy Success

TURKEYSource
Oct 28, 2025

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.

Central Asia
Geopolitics & Energy Security

Transit through Georgia – Potential for US Foreign Policy Success

New Atlanticist
Oct 21, 2025

How the US should partner with Central Asian states to avoid Russia-China dominance

By
Tatiana Gfoeller

By acting now, Washington can capitalize on the desire among some Central Asian states to reduce their dependence on Moscow and Beijing.

Central Asia
China

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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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Content

Article

Jan 30, 2015

Transit through Georgia – Potential for US Foreign Policy Success

By Mamuka Tsereteli

Georgia plays a growing, though little-known, role in the global economy. Strategically linked with Azerbaijan, it serves as a key element in the transportation network that connects landlocked, but resource-rich areas of Central Asia to world markets via its Black Sea ports and Turkey. Over one million barrels of oil and oil products cross Georgian […]

Central Asia Energy & Environment
Member of Donbass militia, June 2, 2014

NATOSource

Jul 31, 2014

NATO has to Prepare to Contain the Chaos at Europe’s Edge

By Rory Stewart, Financial Times

[N]ow the ungoverned space is on the edge of Europe and the insurgents are being supported by a country with some of the world’s most sophisticated military equipment and most effective intelligence services.

Central Asia Moldova

Event Recap

Jun 16, 2014

Conversation with Kazakh Deputy Foreign Minister Yerzhan Ashikbayev

On the morning of June 12th, the Atlantic Council held a private breakfast conversation with Yerzhan Ashikbayev, Deputy Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan. Minister Yerzhan was introduced by Ambassador John Herbst, director of the Atlantic Council’s Dinu Patriciu Eurasia Center.

Central Asia

Event Recap

Mar 27, 2014

Security in Central Asia

Eurasia Foundation and the Atlantic Council were please to host a discussion on security in Central Asia.While most of the world faces Ukraine, security in Central Asia continues to be at the forefront of issues facing Eurasia. The 2014 US withdrawal from Afghanistan, ongoing negotiations of the Northern Distribution Network, and Russia’s continued push for economic […]

Central Asia
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov

NATOSource

Oct 9, 2013

Lavrov: Afghanistan Not Ready for NATO Forces Pullout

By RIA Novosti

The development of the situation in Afghanistan clearly shows that Afghan security forces will not be in position to take control of law and order in the war-torn country after the withdrawal of NATO-led forces, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.

Afghanistan Central Asia

New Atlanticist

Aug 14, 2013

Central Asia Can’t Be Forgotten

By James L. Jones

The transformation of Central Asia and the Caucasus that began twenty years ago—and in which the transatlantic community has a vital stake—is incomplete and uncertain. Despite progress, numerous problems remain. They vary from country to country, but among the most ubiquitous are ineffective governance, political systems that lack public participation and transparency, shortcomings in the […]

Central Asia Economy & Business

Event Recap

Aug 2, 2012

Transition in Afghanistan: The View from Central Asia

On August 2, 2012 the Atlantic Council’s Dinu Patriciu Eurasia Center and South Asia Center hosted a private, off-the-record discussion on Afghanistan and Central Asia with Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General Ambassador Miroslav Jenča.

Afghanistan Central Asia

Event Recap

Feb 15, 2012

Strategy session with Mr. Victor Ponta, Leader of the Romanian Opposition

By Adrienne Chuck

On Wednesday, February 15, 2012, the Atlantic Council hosted a strategy session with Mr. Victor Ponta, Leader of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) of Romania.

Central Asia Eastern Europe
Twenty Years of Kazakhstan Independence and US-Kazakhstan Relations

Event Recap

Jan 31, 2012

Twenty Years of Kazakhstan Independence and US-Kazakhstan Relations

On January 31, the Atlantic Council hosted a conference entitled “Twenty Years of Kazakhstan Independence and US-Kazakhstan Relations” at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Washington, DC. 

Central Asia United States and Canada

Issue Brief

Jan 27, 2012

Kazakhstan and the United States: Twenty Years of Ambiguous Partnership

By Sean R. Roberts

In the Dinu Patriciu Eurasia Center issue brief “Kazakhstan and the United States: Twenty Years of Ambiguous Partnership,” Sean R. Roberts, an associate professor of practice in international affairs and director of the International Development Studies Program at The George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs, examines how the US-Kazakhstan relationship has evolved over […]

Central Asia United States and Canada
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Experts

Executive Leadership Intensive participant

Mika Abdullaeva

Senior Advisor, Department of State

Central Asia Resilience & Society

Millennium fellow

Ramzi Abunemreh

Architectural Manager, Consolidated Contractors Company

Millennium Leadership Program

Central Asia Economy & Business

Fellow

Rza Aliyev

Nonresident Senior Fellow, N7 Initiative

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Azerbaijani Central Asia

Staff

Rayhan Asat

Senior Legal & Policy Advisor, China Lead

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Central Asia China

Millennium fellow

Arvid Bell

CEO and Co-Founder, Anadyr Horizon

Millennium Leadership Program

Central Asia Economy & Business

Fellow

Ariel Cohen

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Eurasia Center

Central Asia Politics & Diplomacy
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