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Analytical materials

The Future of Central Asian Integration in the Shadow of U.S.-China Confrontation

Eldaniz Gusseinov 24.04.24

Experts Eldaniz Gusseinov of the Heydar Aliyev Center for Eurasian Studies at Ibn Khaldun University and Abakhon Sultonazarov, Regional Director for Central Asia at IWPR, delve into how the U.S. and China are shaping their strategies in Central Asia. They highlight a distinct shift where Central Asian nations are increasingly allowing external powers to guide their institutional processes. The analysis points to significant consequences for the region’s autonomy and its path towards integration, underscoring the importance of recognizing local interests and fostering internal unity to bolster a collective regional stance.

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Central Asia’s Critical Raw Materials: The Next Frontier in Global Power Rivalry?

Eldaniz Gusseinov 03.04.24

Eldaniz Gusseinov of the Ibn Khaldun University’s Heydar Aliyev Center for Eurasian Studies, alongside Abakhon Sultonazarov, IWPR Central Asia Regional Director, contend that the interplay between Central Asia’s ties with the West and China signals the onset of a resource rivalry. Following the upheaval in Ukraine and the ensuing global realignment, the West’s quest for rare earth metals has intensified, aiming to curtail its reliance on Russia and China. Yet, as Western nations pivot to renewables to lessen their dependency on Russian hydrocarbons, they grapple with the potential of becoming more dependent on China, a dominant force in the renewable sector. Central Asia emerges as a pivotal player amidst this, blessed with vast, yet largely untapped, mineral wealth, thereby positioning the region at the heart of the burgeoning competition for essential resources.

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The terrorist attack in Moscow suburbs puts Tajikistan in a difficult choice

Marat Mamadshoev 01.04.24

Tajikistanis are losing Russia as a country that has been a place of work for many of them for many years. The situation for migrants has been deteriorating for the past few years, but the terrorist attack in the Moscow region has accelerated these events incredibly. (more…)

Compulsory voting in Kyrgyzstan: Democratic Duty or Infringement of Freedom?

Akylai Tenizbaeva 26.03.24

The practice of compulsory participation in voting threatens negative consequences, according to human rights defender Akylai Tenizbaeva. In her opinion, it will lead to an increase in irrational voting and corruption.

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Maximizing the benefits to the nation from government scholarships for international education in Kazakhstan

Dilrabo Jonbekova 19.03.24

This policy brief presents the key findings and recommendations from a study of government scholarship programs for international education in Kazakhstan. (more…)

Personnel policy and criteria for assessing the performance of civil servants in Tajikistan

Marat Mamadshoev 14.03.24

Tajikistan lacks a transparent personnel policy for the appointment of civil servants, according to Marat Mamadshoev, editor-in-chief of IWPR Tajikistan. In his opinion, it is particularly important to develop clear and verifiable criteria for assessing the performance of civil servants. (more…)

University-industry partnerships in Kazakhstan

Dilrabo Jonbekova 13.03.24

This policy brief presents evidence from a study that examined university-industry partnerships in Kazakhstan. The research explored how, and in what ways, universities and industry collaborate; and how current and future partnerships might be improved. More specifically, the study investigated the benefits and challenges of university collaborations with industry, and identified the supporting factors and potential barriers to developing effective and sustainable university-industry partnerships. (more…)

Youth involvement in climate issues in Kazakhstan and Tajikistan: illusion or reality?

Anisa Abibulloeva 12.01.24

Government agencies in Central Asian countries and international organizations that deal with environmental issues, especially climate change, do not sufficiently take into account the opinions of young environmentalists, according to young experts from Tajikistan and Kazakhstan, Anisa Abibulloyeva and Mukhtar Amanbayuly.

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Policy Brief: “From Resource Extraction to Local Dissent: Understanding Environmental Protests in the Gold Mining Sector of Kyrgyzstan”

Abdyrakhman Sulaimanov 28.12.23

IWPR Central Asia and CABAR.asia present a policy brief themed “From Resource Extraction to Local Dissent: Understanding Environmental Protests in the Gold Mining Sector of Kyrgyzstan”. The brief was developed by Abdyrakhman Sulaimanov for the IWPR Representative Office in Central Asia and the regional analytical platform CABAR.asia.

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Foreign Press Digest of Central Asia in December 2023

CABAR.asia 26.12.23

In December, foreign analytical articles highlighted several trends and events in the region including the development of wind power projects in Kazakhstan, the precedent-setting border agreement between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, as well as the experiences of individuals who were subjected to forced labor in Uzbekistan’s cotton fields and the ways Central Asia can promote collective regional identity. (more…)