Recent Events

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  Afghanistan and Central Asia Since the Taliban Takeover

  The shockwaves of the August 2021 U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and subsequent Taliban takeover have reverberated across Central Asia. In a water scarce region, Taliban efforts to build the long-desired Qosh Tepa Canal on the Amu Darya River and a water diversion project on the Helmand River have strained relations with downstream Central Asian states

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  Russia’s Changing Profile and Influence in Central Asia

  Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 has had a major impact on its relations with the states of Central Asia. It has given rise to new efforts in some quarters to further de-colonialize from the Tsarist and Soviet legacies. Western sanctions have altered regional economic supply chains, and the large recent influx of

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  Iran’s Proxies and the Risk of Escalation in the Israel-Hamas Conflict

  As the Biden administration seeks to keep the Israel-Hamas conflict contained in Gaza, Hezbollah and Israel have struck each other in limited but escalating ways, with the U.S. encouraging Israel to show restraint. Other Iranian-linked armed groups, including the Houthis in Yemen and the Kata’ib Hezbollah militia from Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), have exchanged

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  Debate: Should Washington Talk to Moscow Now?

  As Russia’s war in Ukraine enters its third year, the threat of a protracted stalemate looms large. With Ukraine’s summer offensive stalled, Russia’s forces digging in, and the West wavering on financial and military aid, the Biden administration now faces difficult choices. Should Washington pursue peace negotiations with Moscow now, or would such efforts be

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  Center for the National Interest Appoints Paul Saunders as New President

  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Washington, D.C. – January 8, 2024 The Center for the National Interest is pleased to announce the appointment of Paul J. Saunders as its new President. With a deep background in foreign policy, national security, and energy, and a proven track record of leadership at the institution, Saunders brings diverse expertise and a

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