Region
Central Asia
Tokayev Looks to Caspian to Diversify Oil Export Routes
By Catherine Putz
Kazakhstan is again looking to the potential of a Trans-Caspian pipeline, but do plans to diversify oil export routes just hitch the Kazakh economy further to a doomed fossil fuel industry?
Can the Taliban Actually Prevent Attacks Launched From Afghan Soil?
By Catherine Putz
The Taliban promised, again, that Afghan soil would not be used to threaten the security of neighboring countries a day after five rockets landed in an Uzbek border town.
Pipeline Critical to Kazakh Oil Exports Ordered to Halt Operations by Russian Court
By Catherine Putz
The timing of the decision has naturally raised some eyebrows, but of greater consequence is the lack of diversification of export routes for Kazakh oil.
Russian Foreign Minister Visits Mongolia in Drive for Support
By Associated Press
Ukraine and Russia's rejection of Western criticism were major themes of Lavrov's public comments.
Unrest in Central Asia: The Trouble in Karakalpakstan
By Catherine Putz
Although protests this year in Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan took place in different contexts, with different triggers, there are some similarities worth highlighting.
Karakalpak Protests Reflect the Shattered Promise of Mirziyoyev’s ‘New Uzbekistan’
By Ildar Daminov
A proposal to downgrade the autonomous region to a province set off massive protests.
Russia-Ukraine War: Implications for Asian Geoeconomics
By Ali Ahmadi
As the war and resulting sanctions redraw trade maps in Asia, Iran stands to be the primary beneficiary.
The Revival of Islam in Turkmenistan
By Merdan Amanov
Although Islam has been a part of Turkmen culture for centuries, public practice of Islam was largely suppressed during the Soviet Union and in the early independence era, too.
The Complexity of Kazakhstan-Russia Relations on Display
By Aliya Askar
What did Kazakh President Tokayev’s recent statements in Russia actually mean?
Uzbek Company Falls Afoul of Russia Sanctions
By Catherine Putz
In listing an Uzbekistan-based company, the U.S. State Department has a warning: “If you do business with sanctioned entities or individuals, you risk exposure to sanctions.”
Russia’s Putin Makes First Trip Abroad Since Invasion, to Tajikistan and Turkmenistan
By Catherine Putz
The warm welcome in Dushanbe and meetings around the Caspian table in Ashgabat were a chance for Putin to reaffirm his network of partners at a critical moment.
Tajikistan Lifts Internet Block on GBAO. What’s Next?
By Catherine Putz
As with previous rounds of unrest and crackdown in GBAO, the core issues remain unresolved.