Surrounded by superpowers, Kazakhstan walks a geopolitical tightrope

Issue Brief Jul 3, 2024

Caspian contributions to energy security in Europe

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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
Surrounded by superpowers, Kazakhstan walks a geopolitical tightrope

New Atlanticist Jun 5, 2024

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

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Surrounded by superpowers, Kazakhstan walks a geopolitical tightrope

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Central Asia Economy & Business

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Content

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

New Atlanticist

Nov 27, 2024

The West’s role in solving Central Asia’s water crisis

By Ariel Cohen, Wesley Alexander Hill, and Wilder Alejandro Sánchez

US and Western engagement with Central Asian states on their water crisis can help reduce the region’s dependencies on Moscow and Beijing.

Central Asia
Geopolitics & Energy Security

In the News

Nov 12, 2024

Roberts quoted in Energy Terminal on challenges facing Turkmen gas imports to Europe

By John M. Roberts

Central Asia
Europe & Eurasia

In the News

Nov 4, 2024

Webster in the China-Russia Report: Central Asia and Belarus’ role in militarily-sensitive trade

By Joseph Webster

Belarus
Central Asia

In the News

Oct 18, 2024

Webster quoted in Rzeczpospolita on Russia’s economic goals in Asia

By Joseph Webster

Central Asia
Energy & Environment

MENASource

Oct 10, 2024

From Dushanbe to Berlin: The emerging ISIS-K threat

By Morgan Tadych

Addressing some of these systemic issues may reduce ISIS-K’s ability to recruit from Tajikistan and ultimately decrease the group’s ability to conduct external operations.

Central Asia
Conflict
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Experts

Fellow

Brianne Todd

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Eurasia Center

Central Asia English

Fellow

Rza Aliyev

Nonresident Senior Fellow, N7 Initiative

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Azerbaijani Central Asia

Fellow

Tatiana Gfoeller

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Eurasia Center

Arabic Central Asia

Fellow

Zeena Nisar

Nonresident Fellow

Global China Hub

Central Asia China

Executive Leadership Intensive participant

Mika Abdullaeva

Senior Advisor, Department of State

Central Asia Resilience & Society

Staff

Katherine Spencer

Program Assistant

Eurasia Center

Central Asia Conflict
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Events

Public Event Thu, November 20, 2025 • 10:00 am ET

Turkish presence in Central Asia and its implications for US policy
Central Asia Europe & Eurasia NATO NATO Partnerships