Tag: Central Asia

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  Central Asian Perspectives on the Russo-Ukraine War

  More than three years into Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the war continues to reverberate far beyond Europe’s borders—nowhere more so than in the post-Soviet states of Central Asia. Once closely tied to Moscow, the region’s five republics have adopted varying responses to the conflict, balancing diplomatic caution, economic interests, security concerns, and an evolving

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  Uzbekistan’s Foreign Policy: Building Partnerships in Central Asia and Beyond

  With the largest population and sharing borders with all four neighboring Central Asian states, Uzbekistan serves as a linchpin of the region. Since reformist President Shavkat Mirziyoyev assumed office in December 2016, the country’s engagement with its neighbors and the rest of the world has become increasingly dynamic, cooperative, and influential. On Thursday, April 10,

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  Russia’s Post-Soviet Neighbors

  Russia’s February 2022 invasion of Ukraine has transformed the security, economic, and geopolitical environments for Russia’s neighbors. Ukraine is at war. Three Russian neighbors—Belarus, China, and North Korea—are supporting the Russian invasion through various means and to various degrees. Three others—the Baltic States—are assisting Ukraine through the NATO alliance. The picture is more complex for

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  Nuclear Power in Central Asia: The New “New Thing”?

  The Central Asian states of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan are exploring the development of nuclear power. Last fall, Kazakhstan passed a controversial referendum to build a nuclear power plant. In 2024, both Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan signed memorandums of understanding with Rosatom to construct smaller plants. Despite the region’s ample hydrocarbons and hydroelectric resources, the Central

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  Report Launch | Afghanistan’s Qoshtepa Canal and Water Security in Central Asia

  The Qoshtepa Canal project represents one of the most significant infrastructure undertakings in Afghanistan in decades, aiming to transform the country’s northern agricultural landscape. However, the project also raises pressing concerns about regional water security, potential cross-border conflicts, and environmental degradation. On December 5, the Center for the National Interest’s Central Asia Connectivity Project launched

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