Publications

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  CRANK Call | February 2025

  CRANK Call is a monthly review of developments involving cooperation, and at times contention, among China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea (the CRANKs). February 2025 Highlights Russia and Iran “align positions” on nuclear program amid potential signs of discord Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov met with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi and President Massoud Pezeshkian

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  CRANK Call | January 2025

  CRANK Call is a monthly review of developments involving cooperation, and at times contention, among China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea (the CRANKs). January 2025 Highlights Russia and Iran finally sign Strategic Partnership Agreement Presidents Masoud Pezeshkian and Vladimir Putin signed their long-awaited comprehensive strategic partnership treaty on January 17 during Pezeshkian’s visit to Moscow.

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  CRANK Call | December 2024

  CRANK Call is a monthly review of developments involving cooperation, and at times contention, among China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea (the CRANKs). December 2024 Highlights Fall of Assad regime in Syria deals massive blow to Iranian and Russian interests President Bashar Assad of Syria fled to Russia and gave up power on December 8

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  CRANK Call | November 2024

  CRANK Call is a monthly review of developments involving cooperation, and at times contention, among China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea (the CRANKs). November 2024 Highlights North Korea and Russia finalize defense pact as offensive against Kursk looms North Korea and Russia completed the ratification of their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty in early November.  Alongside outlining a

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  Afghanistan’s Qoshtepa Canal and Water Security in Central Asia

  The Center for the National Interest is pleased to present its latest report, Afghanistan’s Qoshtepa Canal and Water Security in Central Asia. Authored by Senior Fellow Andrew Kuchins and his colleagues, this report provides a comprehensive assessment of the Taliban’s ambitious canal project and its implications for regional stability, environmental sustainability, and U.S. foreign policy.

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