Central Asia Archives

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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

Putin’s Russian Empire is collapsing like its Soviet predecessor

New Atlanticist May 20, 2023

The US can help Central Asia avoid China’s awkward embrace

China just wrapped up a summit with Central Asian countries, but the US should not cede the territory. Washington should energize economic and security cooperation.

Report Apr 28, 2023

Kazakhstan could lead Central Asia in mitigating the world’s energy and food shortages

By Margarita Assenova, Ariel Cohen, and Wesley Hill

The five Central Asian states can make a meaningful contribution to mitigating the world’s energy and food deficits, but this will require determination by local governments and the commitment of Western government and business partners.

Central Asia Energy & Environment

New Atlanticist Sep 6, 2023

The United States must strengthen its engagement with Central Asia

By Mark Temnycky

As the upcoming US-Central Asian summit approaches, the administration must prioritize its engagement in the region.

Central Asia China

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Featured events

Online Event Fri, April 28, 2023 • 10:00 am ET

How can Kazakhstan and Central Asia help power and feed the world?

Central Asia has the potential to mitigate the global energy and food shortages that have been exacerbated by Russia’s war of aggression. What are the most significant challenges facing Central Asia’s energy and food export potential?

Central Asia Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia Geopolitics & Energy Security

Public Event Mon, March 7, 2022 • 3:30 pm ET

Thirty years of US-Kazakhstan relations: The winter crisis and path forward

January’s unrest in Kazakhstan underscores some of the challenges with the country’s economic development and growing geopolitical importance. What does that means for the next thirty years and the country’s relationship with the United States?

Central Asia Geopolitics & Energy Security Political Reform 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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UkraineAlert

Sep 17, 2022

Putin’s Russian Empire is collapsing like its Soviet predecessor

By Taras Kuzio

Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine was meant to extinguish the Ukrainian state once and for all. Instead, Russian influence in the post-Soviet region is in danger of receding to levels not witnessed in hundreds of years.

Belarus Central Asia

UkraineAlert

Jun 30, 2022

Goodwill gestures and de-Nazification: Decoding Putin’s Ukraine War lexicon

By Peter Dickinson

From “goodwill gestures” to “de-Nazification” and “reclaiming Russian lands,” the Atlantic Council's Peter Dickinson decodes some of the key phrases from the lexicon of Putin’s Ukraine War into plain English.

Central Asia Conflict

In the News

Jun 30, 2022

Graham cited in International Banker on the lack of incentives in the US-led Indo-Pacific Economic Framework

Read the full article here.

Australia Central Asia

BelarusAlert

May 17, 2022

Putin’s only friend: Belarus is Russia’s last remaining post-Soviet ally

By Brian Whitmore

The recent CSTO summit in Moscow highlighted Russia's lack of support even within the former Soviet region while underlining Belarus dictator Alyaksandr Lukashenka's status as Vladimir Putin's last remaining ally.

Belarus Central Asia

UkraineAlert

May 11, 2022

Kazakhstan cancels Victory Day in protest over Putin’s Ukraine War

By Wilder Alejandro Sánchez, Kamila Auyezova

Kazakhstan's recent decision to cancel the country's annual WWII Victory Day parade was a small but significant indication of Nur-Sultan's opposition to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Central Asia Conflict

In the News

May 1, 2022

Cohen quoted in the National Interest: U.S. sanctions on Russia should not punish Central Asia

Central Asia Economic Sanctions

In the News

Mar 29, 2022

Gadzala Tirziu in The New York Sun on Turkmenistan’s geopolitical significance

On March 18, Scowcroft Center nonresident senior fellow Aleksandra Gadzala Tirziu published a piece in The New York Sun on Turkmenistan’s strategic location at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Russia, and the potential role it might play in global energy politics as some nations look to revamp their global gas supplies.

Central Asia Geopolitics & Energy Security