Northern Afghanistan and the New Threat to Central Asia
The contest for control of northern Afghanistan between the Taliban, the Islamic State, and other terrorist groups is a...
A nation must think before it acts.
Kazakhstan
Ukraine War Sparks Suspicion over Russia’s Designs on Kazakhstan
For all its years of independence, Kazakhstan has worried about Russian irredentist dreams of Kazakh territory. Following Russia’s invasion...
China’s Security Management Towards Central Asia
Executive Summary In the early years of diplomatic relations between the People’s Republic of China and Central...
Understanding Central Asia’s Cautious Approach to Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine
The governments in Central Asia are treading cautiously in their remarks about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Central Asia, too,...
How the Intervention in Kazakhstan Revitalized the Russian-led CSTO
Executive Summary The Russian Federation-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) has existed for nearly 30 years, and, during...
Kazakhstan’s System Malfunctions
It may be a cliché, but Kazakhstan’s ongoing dramatic crisis recalls one of Lenin’s most famous quotes, “There are...
A ‘Bright Path’ Forward or a Grim Dead End? The Political Impact of the Belt and Road Initiative in Kazakhstan
Executive Summary This report assesses the political impact of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in Kazakhstan. Specifically,...
Chinese Business in Central Asia: How Crony Capitalism is Eroding Justice
China’s economic influence in Central Asia has gained a new character after President Xi Jinping came to power. In...
Elections in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan: The Challenges of Retaining Power
On January 10, Kazakhstan held elections for its lower house while Kyrgyzstan held presidential elections and a national referendum...
Russia and China’s Quiet Rivalry in Central Asia
How does the People’s Republic of China use multilateral institutions in Central Asia? In the 1990s and early 2000s,...