Iran Nuclear Talks in Kazakhstan: Remember When Diplomacy Worked

The Kazakh nuclear experience is a reminder of the power of diplomacy and the economic incentives at the disposal of the international community.

Challenges in Studying Collectivization and the Famine

The study of the Soviet drive toward collectivization in Kazakhstan and the resulting famine comes with a particular set of challenges.

Kazakhstan’s Political (r)evolution

Recent violence in Zhanaozen in December has forced Kazakhstan's authorities to rethink political, economic, and social policies. Only time will tell if the changes will have their desired effect, but it is the country's population that will make the ultimate judgment.

The "Stans" at 20

Twenty years after the Soviet collapse, leaders of the five Central Asian republics have built functioning states but they have yet to fully implement democratic reforms, decentralize and share power, and develop strong intraregional relations.

Kazakhstan at 20

Twenty years after its independence from the Soviet Union, Kazakhstan has made a smooth transition to a middle income country and advanced a foreign policy that could make it a vital bridge between Europe and Asia.

Kazakhstan at 20

As Kazakhstan celebrates its twentieth anniversary of independence, the country faces a number of tough geopolitical, political, economic, and social challenges.

Kazakhstan's Soviet Legacy

Legacies of the Soviet era still pervade Kazakhstan, 20 years after independence, and leave most citizens unable to offer a detached judgment of what benefits Kazakhstan might have derived from seven decades of Soviet rule.

Semipalatinsk: From Nuclear Testing Site to Test Ban Treaty Support

On the twentieth anniversary of the closure of Kazakhstan's nuclear site Semipalatinsk, it is important to recognize the role the former weapons testing facility plays in strengthening the verification regime of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty.

U.S. Policy in Central Asia: Looking Ahead

As the war in Afghanistan begins to enter a new phase, it is important to reexamine some of the premises of U.S. policy in the Central Asian region and to consider whether the conditions in the region have changed in the last decade.

Central Asia: Living in Afghanistan’s Shadow

While the U.S.-led NATO operations in Afghanistan have resulted in somewhat enhanced security capacity for Central Asian countries, their long-term security challenges seem to be increasing, given the current situation in Afghanistan and the growing instability of Pakistan.

The Eurasian Customs Union: Friend or Foe of the EU?

As the Eurasian customs union’s influence on the world stage and in Europe’s neighborhood is likely to increase, the EU should attempt to understand the project and find ways to protect its own interests.

A New Direction for U.S. Policy in the Caspian Region

The Obama administration needs a new approach to the Caspian region that provides opportunities for local leaders to engage with the United States in economic and political development.

Strategic Asia 2005-06: Military Modernization in an Era of Uncertainty

Through a combination of country, regional, and topical studies, Strategic Asia 2005–06: Military Modernization in an Era of Uncertainty assesses how Asian states are modernizing their military programs in response to China's rise as a regional power, the war on terrorism, changes in U.S. force posture, the revolution in military affairs, and local security dilemmas.

Central Asia’s Second Chance

Early hopes for a democratic transition in Central Asia after the fall of the Soviet Union were dashed, but new hope was raised as the global community re-engaged with Central Asia in the wake of 9/11. Martha Brill Olcott explains how the region squandered its "second chance," and what might happen next.

Post-Soviet Free Trade

Ever since the Soviet Union collapsed, the independent states that emerged from the wreckage have tried to sort out their trade relations. But the flow of goods between countries continues to contract even more than it should. What is needed is free trade.

The Kyrgyz Republic: Improve Governance and Expand Exports

The foucs of economic policy in the Kyrgyz Republic should be economic growth. The main tasks should be to expand exports, primarily by opening up the Kazakh market, and stimulating supply through further reforms in governance and taxation.

Kazakhstan: Unfulfilled Promise

At the outset of independence 10 years ago, it appeared that democracy was beginning to take hold in Kazakhstan. A decade later, economic reform is mired in widespread corruption and a regime that flirted with democracy is now laying the foundation for family-based, authoritarian rule.

Preventing New Afghanistans: A Regional Strategy for Reconstruction

Unless the international community pursues a regional strategy for rebuilding Afghanistan, the security of the Central Asian states and Pakistan will be so compromised that new terrorist groups with global reach soon will be using Eurasia as their launching pad again.

Drug Trafficking on the Great Silk Road: The Security Environment in Central Asia

Challenge of Semi-Authoritarianism

Several factors explain why a growing number of regimes are adopting outwardly more democratic political systems: the loss of appeal of socialist systems during the 1990s, the creation of newly independent states, and the corresponding need felt by an increasing number of governments to legitimize themselves in the eyes of their citizens and of the international community.

'The Stans' in Transition

The five post-Soviet Central Asian republics—Kazakhstan, Krygyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan—share common political, cultural, and historical roots, but they are far from homogeneous, and continuing domestic and regional tensions could lead to violent conflict.

Ukrainian Natural Gas Dispute

Carnegie Senior Associate Michael McFaul discussed the politics of the Russian-Ukrainian gas dispute with the NewsHour's Margaret Warner and J. Robinson West, Chairman of PFC Energy.

The Istanbul Process Ministerial: Results and Prospects for the Future

The Istanbul Process’ Heart of Asia Ministerial Conferences can play a role in efforts to promote regional stability and security in Central and South Asia.

Is Religion a Security Threat in Central Asia?

Dialogue, education, and an accepted role for religion in society are critical to countering the possible threat that religious radicalization could pose to state security in Central Asia.

China and India’s Regional Diplomacy

China and India are frequently compared at the economic level, often ignoring the wider spectrum of their regional diplomacy and international engagement.

Renewable Energy in Remote Communities: Helping to Address Central Asia's Social Problems

The Carnegie Endowment, working with Central Asia’s Eco-Energy Alliance, launched the pilot regional project in Tajikistan to demonstrate how linking renewable energy to Internet access can be a tool for alleviating social problems.

Renewable Energy in Central Asia: Creating Economic Sustainability to Solve Socio-Economic Challenges

The development and diversification of Central Asia’s energy sector will provide more power for citizens and businesses, contribute to the region’s economic security, and give the region a firm footing in a growth industry of global importance.

Kyrgyzstan's Role in Regional Security

Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Sarbaev stressed that many of the problems plaguing Afghanistan and Kyrgyzstan, such as security and drug trafficking, are in fact regional problems, and that multilateral negotiations and mutual concessions can help find solutions to these problems.

Promoting Regional Cooperation and Development in Central Asia

Strengthening regional cooperation in Central Asia is one of the most powerful ways to foster development and would enable the states of the region to better meet the daunting individual and collective challenges they face.

Russia and Its Neighbors

The United States must recognize that former Soviet states are and will continue to be an important focus of Russia’s foreign policy, and should take a broader regional view to its relationships with countries in Russia's sphere of influence.

Renewable Energy in Central Asia: Enhancing Food Security and Improving Social and Economic Conditions in Remote Locations

On November 10-12, 2008, the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and the Foundation of Regional Policy, Tashkent, Uzbekistan, with support by the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Institute of the Asian Development Bank, held an international seminar on “Renewable Energy in Central Asia: Enhancing Food Security and Improving Social and Economic Conditions in Remote Locations.”

Kazakhstan in a Globalizing World

Kazakhstan’s vast energy resources, rapidly growing economy, and important geographical position make the country a key player both in global energy markets and regional power relations. The Carnegie Endowment hosted H.E. Marat Tazhin, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, for a discussion of Kazakhstan’s position in an increasingly globalizing world.

The Istanbul Process Ministerial: Results and Prospects for the Future

The Istanbul Process’ Heart of Asia Ministerial Conferences can play a role in efforts to promote regional stability and security in Central and South Asia.

Iran Nuclear Talks in Kazakhstan: Remember When Diplomacy Worked

The Kazakh nuclear experience is a reminder of the power of diplomacy and the economic incentives at the disposal of the international community.

The Eurasian Customs Union: Friend or Foe of the EU?

As the Eurasian customs union’s influence on the world stage and in Europe’s neighborhood is likely to increase, the EU should attempt to understand the project and find ways to protect its own interests.

Challenges in Studying Collectivization and the Famine

The study of the Soviet drive toward collectivization in Kazakhstan and the resulting famine comes with a particular set of challenges.

Kazakhstan’s Political (r)evolution

Recent violence in Zhanaozen in December has forced Kazakhstan's authorities to rethink political, economic, and social policies. Only time will tell if the changes will have their desired effect, but it is the country's population that will make the ultimate judgment.

The "Stans" at 20

Twenty years after the Soviet collapse, leaders of the five Central Asian republics have built functioning states but they have yet to fully implement democratic reforms, decentralize and share power, and develop strong intraregional relations.

Kazakhstan at 20

Twenty years after its independence from the Soviet Union, Kazakhstan has made a smooth transition to a middle income country and advanced a foreign policy that could make it a vital bridge between Europe and Asia.

Kazakhstan at 20

As Kazakhstan celebrates its twentieth anniversary of independence, the country faces a number of tough geopolitical, political, economic, and social challenges.

Kazakhstan's Soviet Legacy

Legacies of the Soviet era still pervade Kazakhstan, 20 years after independence, and leave most citizens unable to offer a detached judgment of what benefits Kazakhstan might have derived from seven decades of Soviet rule.

Is Religion a Security Threat in Central Asia?

Dialogue, education, and an accepted role for religion in society are critical to countering the possible threat that religious radicalization could pose to state security in Central Asia.