Central Asia
Who Speaks in the Kurultai? The Logic of Power Behind Consultation
In August 2026, Kazakhstan will hold an unusual election. The newly established unicameral parliament—the “Kurultai”—will, for the first time, be formed entirely through party...
Central Asia’s Active Pursuit of Clean Air and Energy
As Central Asian countries continue to open the region more to tourism, international investment, and greater global attention through various nation-branding initiatives, environmental protection...
Will Japan’s Pivot to Central Asia Erode Chinese Influence in the Region?
On December 20, 2025, Japan and the five Central Asian nations (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan) convened the Central Asia plus Japan Dialogue...
The Board of Peace and Central Asia
President Donald Trump's alternative to the United Nations is a very ambitious and global idea, the future of which is unclear. Will the body...
How the EU’s Identity Struggle Affects the South Caucasus
Debates about the European Union’s (EU) role in global politics and its status as an international actor are as frequent as ever before. This...
Central and South Asia on the Path of Transformation and Conflicts
Important and even fateful historical processes most often occur after very significant events. Major wars, revolutions, and conflicts have often been such events in...
Japan and South Korea: Vital partners in the New Uzbekistan
Authors: Marin Ekstrom and Wilder Alejandro Sánchez
Uzbekistan has recently commenced construction of a new airport in Tashkent, valued at $2.5 billion, as a symbol...
What America Can Benefit from a “Middle Power” Like Kazakhstan
In the nearly three and a half decades since the collapse of the Soviet Union, American engagement in Central Asia has been, at best,...
Xi–Tokayev Deals Mark Shift From ‘Golden Thirty Years’ to Deeper Ties
Chinese President XI Jinping and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met in Astana this June, signaling a boost in their bilateral relations. These two leaders...
Caspian Media Forum Marks its 10th Anniversary in Astrakhan
With more than 700 people as well as an estimated 3,000 participants online, the 10th Caspian Media Forum under the theme "The History of...