Anchored in rigorous and clear-eyed analysis, the Aso O. Tavitian Initiative focuses on the myriad challenges facing the South Caucasus and Central Asia, two of the world’s most volatile regions.

Notwithstanding these countries’ enormous progress and potential, U.S. and European attention has been sporadic, manifesting itself mostly in times of crisis or when it is needed to serve Western interests. As a result, any long-term promise tends to be overlooked or undervalued, while Western policymakers are often left without the insight and analysis they need to navigate complex regional dynamics.

The Aso O. Tavitian Initiative, founded by the prominent late philanthropist and longstanding trustee of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, is dedicated to correcting this lack of attention.

The Tavitian Initiative brings together scholars, diplomats, policymakers, and regional voices committed to providing strategic insight into complex regional dynamics, to reducing the sources of inter-state conflict, and to helping these countries consolidate their independence and sovereignty.

As the Soviet Union fell apart in the 1990’s, few could have anticipated the rapid transformation of the South Caucasus and Central Asia into a diverse group of states eager to shape their own future. Today, that future is challenged by festering regional conflicts, the return of Russia’s undisguised imperial ambitions, China’s growing economic and political footprint, spillover from the Middle East, and the ups and downs of sporadic engagement with the United States and Europe. At the same time, new ties to Türkiye, Israel, and the countries of the Persian Gulf and South and East Asia are making the geopolitical and economic landscape ever more diverse.

Drawing upon clear-eyed analysis and insights from Carnegie’s global network of scholars, the Tavitian Initiative provides actionable ideas to policymakers as they come to grips with the forces that are reshaping societies, politics, economic development, and regional security. The Tavitian Initiative’s impact is seen in a strong track record of evidence-based research, public and private convenings, and direct engagement with policymakers in Washington and key European and Asian capitals.

The Tavitian Initiative’s agenda is particularly focused on recent historic changes in the South Caucasus, with Armenia and Azerbaijan inching toward a peace treaty, possible normalization of relations between Armenia and Türkiye, and a broader remaking of the economic and political geography of these regions in the wake of the war in Ukraine.

Carnegie scholars contribute and engage along three mutually reinforcing lines of effort:

• The first line of effort is dedicated to developing a thorough understanding of developments in these regions, their drivers, and their implications for prospects for peace and stability. This work is carried out by scholars in Carnegie’s global headquarters in Washington, DC, Berlin, Brussels, the South Caucasus, and Central Asia.
• The second line of effort is dedicated to developing clear-eyed practical ideas for advancing peace, reconciliation, and long-term stability.
• The third line of effort involves building and sustaining trusted relationships with the policy community in Washington and key European capitals as well as with policymakers in the South Caucasus and Central Asia. Carnegie scholars travel frequently throughout these regions and enjoy strong rapport with policymakers and fellow experts. On an ongoing basis, the Carnegie team convenes high-level groups of stakeholders from across the political spectrum and pursues policy-oriented research projects. In addition, Carnegie research is regularly disseminated though targeted email and social media campaigns as well as the Endowment’s online publishing platform, Carnegie Politika, which reaches Russian- and English-speaking audiences throughout the South Caucasus, Central Asia, and the wider region.

In support of Aso O. Tavitian’s original vision, Carnegie scholars based in the South Caucasus, Europe, and the United States provide unrivaled insight, staying at the forefront of the far-reaching challenges confronting a strategically vital group of countries.

Anchored in rigorous and clear-eyed analysis, the Aso O. Tavitian Initiative focuses on the myriad challenges facing the South Caucasus and Central Asia, two of the world’s most volatile regions.

Notwithstanding these countries’ enormous progress and potential, U.S. and European attention has been sporadic, manifesting itself mostly in times of crisis or when it is needed to serve Western interests. As a result, any long-term promise tends to be overlooked or undervalued, while Western policymakers are often left without the insight and analysis they need to navigate complex regional dynamics.

The Aso O. Tavitian Initiative, founded by the prominent late philanthropist and longstanding trustee of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, is dedicated to correcting this lack of attention.

The Tavitian Initiative brings together scholars, diplomats, policymakers, and regional voices committed to providing strategic insight into complex regional dynamics, to reducing the sources of inter-state conflict, and to helping these countries consolidate their independence and sovereignty.

As the Soviet Union fell apart in the 1990’s, few could have anticipated the rapid transformation of the South Caucasus and Central Asia into a diverse group of states eager to shape their own future. Today, that future is challenged by festering regional conflicts, the return of Russia’s undisguised imperial ambitions, China’s growing economic and political footprint, spillover from the Middle East, and the ups and downs of sporadic engagement with the United States and Europe. At the same time, new ties to Türkiye, Israel, and the countries of the Persian Gulf and South and East Asia are making the geopolitical and economic landscape ever more diverse.

Drawing upon clear-eyed analysis and insights from Carnegie’s global network of scholars, the Tavitian Initiative provides actionable ideas to policymakers as they come to grips with the forces that are reshaping societies, politics, economic development, and regional security. The Tavitian Initiative’s impact is seen in a strong track record of evidence-based research, public and private convenings, and direct engagement with policymakers in Washington and key European and Asian capitals.

The Tavitian Initiative’s agenda is particularly focused on recent historic changes in the South Caucasus, with Armenia and Azerbaijan inching toward a peace treaty, possible normalization of relations between Armenia and Türkiye, and a broader remaking of the economic and political geography of these regions in the wake of the war in Ukraine.

Carnegie scholars contribute and engage along three mutually reinforcing lines of effort:

• The first line of effort is dedicated to developing a thorough understanding of developments in these regions, their drivers, and their implications for prospects for peace and stability. This work is carried out by scholars in Carnegie’s global headquarters in Washington, DC, Berlin, Brussels, the South Caucasus, and Central Asia.
• The second line of effort is dedicated to developing clear-eyed practical ideas for advancing peace, reconciliation, and long-term stability.
• The third line of effort involves building and sustaining trusted relationships with the policy community in Washington and key European capitals as well as with policymakers in the South Caucasus and Central Asia. Carnegie scholars travel frequently throughout these regions and enjoy strong rapport with policymakers and fellow experts. On an ongoing basis, the Carnegie team convenes high-level groups of stakeholders from across the political spectrum and pursues policy-oriented research projects. In addition, Carnegie research is regularly disseminated though targeted email and social media campaigns as well as the Endowment’s online publishing platform, Carnegie Politika, which reaches Russian- and English-speaking audiences throughout the South Caucasus, Central Asia, and the wider region.

In support of Aso O. Tavitian’s original vision, Carnegie scholars based in the South Caucasus, Europe, and the United States provide unrivaled insight, staying at the forefront of the far-reaching challenges confronting a strategically vital group of countries.