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

Not just Russian oligarchs: Britain must block Kazakhstan’s kleptocrats from securing a safe haven

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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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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Content

New Atlanticist

Mar 23, 2022

Not just Russian oligarchs: Britain must block Kazakhstan’s kleptocrats from securing a safe haven

By Francis Shin

There is a strong chance to extend some of the regulatory reforms directed towards Russian oligarchs to also apply to the Nazarbayev family.

Central Asia Economy & Business

SouthAsiaSource

Mar 16, 2022

Exploring non-traditional export markets: Pakistan and the Central Asian Republics

By Hasan Abbas

Huge potential exists for Pakistan to increase its exports to the Central Asia region.

Central Asia Economy & Business

In the News

Jan 24, 2022

D’Anieri in The Diplomat on how Central Asian states can protect themselves from Russia

By Atlantic Council

Central Asia Inclusive Growth

Op-Ed

Jan 21, 2022

Kazakhstan’s crackdown is a frightening formula for authoritarians

By Doug Klain

“Crises like the brutal crackdown in Kazakhstan show that Moscow and Beijing can work under pressure together efficiently and get the outcome they desire. It’s a formula we should expect them to repeat.” Doug Klain More about our expert

Central Asia China

EnergySource

Jan 20, 2022

By intervening in Kazakhstan, Russia strengthens its hand in China’s energy market

By Paddy Ryan

A Russian-led intervention to quell violent protests in Kazakhstan will undoubtedly come with strings attached. Kazakhstan may fall even further into Russia's energy orbit, unraveling the country's carefully crafted multi-vector foreign policy and putting its relationship with China to the test.

Central Asia Energy & Environment

BelarusAlert

Jan 17, 2022

The Putin Doctrine: Russia defends autocrats from Belarus to Kazakhstan

By Victor Tregubov

The deployment of a Russia-led military mission to Kazakhstan in early January proved to be a short-lived affair. Nevertheless, it underlined Putin’s growing role as the world’s leading defender of authoritarianism.

Belarus Central Asia

In the News

Jan 13, 2022

Ashford in Inkstick: The “blink-and-you’ll-miss-it” intervention in Kazakhstan

By Atlantic Council

On January 13, Ashford published an opinion piece on the Russian intervention in Kazakhstan. “The blink-and-you-might-miss-it intervention nonetheless provided some important reminders about security in Central Asia. Russia, for example, still has substantive interests and influence across Central Asia. Meanwhile, it appears that China is largely willing to stay hands-off on security matters in the […]

Central Asia English

In the News

Jan 13, 2022

Manning in The Hill: What Kazakhstan says about the autocracy question

By Atlantic Council

On January 13, Robert Manning published his weekly column in The Hill on the events in Kazakhstan and how they demonstrate the inherent weakness in autocracies. Manning made the point that there is widespread discontent among populations ruled by autocrats, but that the challenges facing the US internally undermine protestors in autocracies from turning to […]

Central Asia China

BelarusAlert

Jan 12, 2022

Soviet reunion in the air as USSR centenary approaches

By Brian Whitmore

2022 will see the one hundredth anniversary of the USSR. The centenary comes at a time when Russian President Vladimir Putin is increasingly reasserting Moscow's influence across the former Soviet empire.

Belarus Central Asia

In the News

Jan 10, 2022

Ashford in Politico: “Emma Ashford and Matthew Kroenig debate whether the unrest will inflame tensions between Russia and the West.”

By Atlantic Council

On January 10, Ashford and Matthew Kroenig’s “It’s Debatable” column was featured in Politico’s Global Insider newsletter. “Kazakhstan’s main military relationship is with the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), which replaced the Warsaw Pact for Russia and some Central Asian states. Tokayev has appealed for the CSTO to intervene in the ongoing unrest, and small […]

Central Asia English