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Catherine Putz

Catherine Putz is managing editor of The Diplomat.

Catherine (Katie) Putz is managing editor of The Diplomat.

She manages the monthly magazine as well as writing on Central Asia and Afghanistan. She writes on politics, security and culture in former Soviet spaces, particularly where they link to greater Asia. Katie also co-hosts The Diplomat’s Asia Geopolitics Podcast.

Katie is a graduate of the Patterson School of Diplomacy and International Commerce at the University of Kentucky, where she studied international security and Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania, where she majored in history with a focus on U.S. diplomatic and conflict history. Previously, Katie worked in several positions at the Atlantic Council and as a communications consultant at the World Bank. She is a member of the Military Writers Guild and the National Press Club.

Get in touch with Katie on LinkedIn, or email.

Posts by Catherine Putz

October 11, 2023

A Brief Chronicle of Enforced Disappearances in Tajikistan

By Catherine Putz

When a government captures, imprisons, or kills a detainee and refuses to acknowledge the person’s whereabouts, it generates a very specific kind of terror for other dissidents and their families.

October 05, 2023

Kyrgyz Kingpin Kolbaev Killed in Bishkek Pub by Security Services

By Catherine Putz

Kolbaev’s death was a sudden end to a long, infamous, career of escaping the law both internationally and within Kyrgyzstan.

October 04, 2023

Mysterious Border Protocol Signed Between Kyrgyz and Tajik Security Chiefs

By Catherine Putz

The details of “Protocol No. 44” are unknown, but both sides clearly want to portray some kind of progress in their drawn-out border negotiations.

October 04, 2023

Why India’s Relations With Canada Are Strained

By Ankit Panda and Catherine Putz

What's behind the India-Canada row?

October 04, 2023

Bill to Label ‘Foreign Representatives’ in Kyrgyzstan Moves Forward

By Catherine Putz

Discussions have resumed in Kyrgyzstan’s parliament over a proposed “foreign representatives” bill reminiscent of Russia’s “foreign agents” law.

October 03, 2023

Gulnara Karimova Accused of Running Criminal Organization in New Swiss Indictment

By Catherine Putz

Karimova’s organization, dubbed “The Office,” ran a hierarchical professional operation – with a criminal twist, according to Swiss federal prosecutors.

October 03, 2023

The Putin-Kim Summit: What’s Driving North Korea and Russia Together?

By Ankit Panda and Catherine Putz

What do the two leaders stand to gain from each other?

October 02, 2023

Germany Hosts Central Asian Leaders for Summit

By Catherine Putz

Attending yet another summit, it’s clear that diplomatic outreach to Central Asia is in high gear across the West.

September 29, 2023

Nazarbayev Nephew Subject of Bloody January ‘Abuse of Power’ Investigation

By Catherine Putz

Since the violent unrest of January 2022 in Kazakhstan, Samat Abish has remained in the shadows of various investigations. He’s now a target.

September 28, 2023

Mamai ‘Banned Everywhere’ as Court Clarifies Suspended Sentence Terms

By Catherine Putz

The court clarified that Mamai, a noted opposition politician, is indeed banned from all conceivable forms of participation in social or political conversations in Kazakhstan.

September 27, 2023

Kazakhstan Publishes List of Entities and Individuals Receiving Foreign Funding

By Catherine Putz

When is a list not just a list?

September 07, 2023

Bipartisan Bill Seeks to Repeal Jackson-Vanik for Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan

By Catherine Putz

Senators Murphy and Young stress that the time is ripe to drop the “outdated” restrictions of Jackson-Vanik and “redefine” the U.S. relationship with Central Asia.