Analytics
Given the high mobility of these foreign jihadists, they could spread instability across the entire Middle East, Africa, and the global community. (more…)
CABAR.asia expert Inga Sikorskaia offers recommendations to journalists on what terminology to use when reporting on the Taliban and other radical movements. (more…)
The results of the European Parliament elections could be pivotal for the future of the European Union (EU) and its relations with Central Asian countries, conclude Eldaniz Gusseinov, an expert at the Heydar Aliyev Center for Eurasian Studies at Ibn Khaldun University, and independent analyst Sergey Marinin. Amid rising conservative sentiments among EU citizens, centrist parties are increasingly adopting right-wing agendas. This article examines how the new composition of the European Parliament and the potential rise of right-wing parties could reshape the EU’s foreign policy towards Central Asia. Through case studies of EU member states where right-wing politicians have gained power, we explore the impact on their Central Asian policies. Additionally, we delve into the economic trends driving the EU’s growing engagement with the region.
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.
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.
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.
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…)
In this review, we reflect on the tumultuous yet diplomatically active year of 2023, a period marked by heightened global interest and a flurry of significant agreements and initiatives in Central Asia. As we pivot to 2024, a year potentially less auspicious on the global stage, we anticipate a shift in focus towards the domestic policy priorities of world powers. This recalibration, however, comes with its own set of challenges, given the longstanding unresolved issues in Central Asia. While a temporary lull in international conflicts might offer a reprieve, nations in the region must remain alert and strategically prepare for emerging hurdles. The effective management of internal affairs will be pivotal in ensuring continued peace and stability across the region.
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In a strategic move set to redefine the Eurasian logistics landscape, two major international transport corridors are emerging as key conduits between the European Union and China. The Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), also known as the Middle Corridor, traverses Kazakhstan, while the Southern Corridor cuts through Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. Each route boasts distinct technical and investment profiles, with varying potentials for growth and development. Traditionally seen as rivals in the competitive sphere of international trade, these corridors are now the focus of a comprehensive analysis. This paper delves into the dynamics of corridor management, examining factors such as public-institutional support, the maturity of development programmes, and the legal frameworks governing these routes. The aim is to ascertain the true extent of competition and potential synergy between these critical Eurasian trade arteries.