Tag "Afghanistan"
Karzai Consolidates Power before 2014 Elections
Following a summer of promising electoral reforms, President Hamid Karzai is now moving to broker peace talks with the Taliban following years of failed attempts. The Taliban were removed from power
SCO Showcases Chinese Investment in Central Asia
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) was intended to be an influential Eurasian organization that would improve both economic and security ties among members. Instead, it has become a symbolically powerful
Complications Ahead for Afghanistan’s Election Reform
With the Afghan presidential election scheduled for April 2014, just three months after U.S. troops begin withdrawing from the Afghan combat mission, reforms to the previously highly flawed Afghan electoral
Afghanistan’s Opium has Regional Repercussions
Attempts to rid the Afghan economy of its reliance on opium production and smuggling have largely failed due to corruption and the lack of equally profitable alternatives. However, the opium
Air Base Closure Reshapes Kyrgyzstan-Russia Relations
Last week, Kyrgyzstan announced that it will not renew its agreement with the United States that allowed NATO to use the Manas Air Base as a transit center for military
Legitimising Taliban Rule in Afghanistan
Afghanistan rarely enters the news cycle these days. However, for those privy and indeed willing to locate news outside the omnipresent U.S. market, an interesting story is developing in Doha,
Russia Prepares for NATO Withdrawal from Afghanistan
While most NATO troops are expected to leave Afghanistan by the end of 2014, Russia worries about the subsequent consequences for the stability of the region. According to NATO officials,
Lack of regulation limits Afghan gem mining
The lack of clear industry rules is hampering the growth of Afghanistan’s mining sector. Blessed with mineral wealth, Kabul remains unable to utilize it. Afghanistan lacks the major gas and
Uzbekistan’s Search for Trade Partners
Uzbekistan’s increasing diversity in trading partners points to a decline in traditional Central Asian economic reliance on Russia and indicates the possibility of increased interdependence between the countries of Central
Tensions with Iran prevent economic cooperation in Afghanistan
Western tensions with, and sanctions against, Iran prevent cooperation which could promote an economically stable Afghanistan. Several months ago, reports surfaced indicating that the United States was unknowingly buying mixed,
