russia
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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The “Russia-Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan Gas Union” stands at a pivotal crossroads, symbolizing a significant shift in Central Asian energy dynamics. Initiated by Russian President Vladimir Putin, this trilateral alliance aims to transport Russian gas to Uzbekistan via Kazakhstan, marking a historical moment as it is the first time Russian gas is pumped toward Central Asia. However, the union faces scrutiny and cautious participation from Uzbekistan, reflecting the complex geopolitical and economic implications of this energy project. This development, arising amidst acute energy challenges in the region, seeks to address immediate needs but also poses long-term geopolitical and economic questions for the involved nations. (more…)
Turkey’s reorientation towards priority cooperation with China and Russia may complicate Central Asian countries’ interaction with the European Union, according to Eldaniz Gusseinov, a specialist in European and International Studies at the Heartland Expert Analytical Center. Commenting on the prospects of the Organisation of Turkic States (OTS), Gusseinov suggested that the OTS needs to look for new niches for cooperation. (more…)
Vladimir Putin has arrived in Kyrgyzstan on an official visit. This is the first foreign visit after the International Criminal Court in The Hague issued an order for the arrest of the Russian president. This visit to Bishkek is as relevant as ever in this context and based on the increasing interest of global powers to Central Asia. (more…)
President Biden’s administration is trying to use the rapidly changing geopolitical situation in Central Asia to its advantage, said Parviz Mullodzhanov, Ph.D., a political scientist, orientalist and independent researcher from Tajikistan. An important US motive is the desire to block the flow of sanctioned goods to Russia through Central Asia, Parviz Mullodzhanov said commenting on the outcome of the first C5+1 summit. (more…)
IWPR experts believe that the first summit of the Central Asian and US presidents held in New York is mainly symbolic in nature. They believe that the most important decisions for these countries will continue to be taken at the bilateral level. For the US, however, it is important for the Central Asian countries to comply with sanctions against Russia in order to prevent the export of dual-use goods to Russia. (more…)
The Southern Transport Corridor should not be viewed as a threat by Kazakhstan, but rather be taken as a sign that it is necessary to strengthen Central Asian cooperation and create joint logistics projects with its neighbours, according to Kanat Nogoibayev, a graduate of the CABAR.asia School of Analytics. (more…)
Central Asia became more attractive for Beijing since the Russian invasion of Ukraine made the northern trade routes unavailable to use for China. Growing vacuum of influence in the region is going to be filled by China, believes Brian Carlson, the head of the Global Security Team at the Center for Security Studies (CSS) think tank. (more…)
In Kyrgyzstan, decolonisation has gone beyond the academic and scientific sphere to the public: the issue is being discussed both on online and offline platforms, influencers set the new tone in the language issue, while creative people show in intuitive language the narratives of full sovereignty.