Tag "South and Central Asia"
Chinese energy investments drive Moscow’s interests in Central Asia
With Russia’s economy in crisis and Central Asia coming in focus of Chinese energy strategy, the region is experiencing a long-term geopolitical shift. Central Asian (CA) states, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan,
Book Review: Great Games, Local Rules
In his recently published book Great Games, Local Rules: The New Great Power Contest in Central Asia, Alexander Cooley offers a penetrating analysis of the geopolitical maneuvering and strategies pursued
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
Ramadan shows religious freedom deficit in Central Asia
The holy month of Ramadan puts in sharp relief the challenges to religious freedom by secular governments in the former Soviet Central Asian republics. Most notably, this year in Uzbekistan,
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
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,
Tajikistan vulnerable due to remittance dependence
Tajikistan is possibly the most remittance-reliant country in the world, thanks in large part to the more than one million Tajiks who have migrated from the poorest nation in the
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
Central Asian pipelines inhibit prosperity
Pipelines density in Central Asia create concentrated economies thus allowing autocratic government greater control and longevity. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Central Asia experienced limited progress and relative
