Tag Archives: Kazakhstan

Russian action in Kazakhstan should serve as a sobering reminder to Western countries that Russia is willing to act decisively to protect its interests and retain its influence in the neighboring countries.

A relaxation of long-standing regional tensions was the most noticeable process in Central Asia in 2018. If the trend continues, individual countries will be better positioned to muddle through domestic problems and deal with complex international relations and security issues in 2019 and beyond.

ECO must strengthen relations with regional blocs such as EU and ASEAN, gaining knowledge and know-how from their experiences. ECO summits must be held on either an annual basis or once every two years rather than five.

One golden opportunity for ECO member countries to increase trade and investment is in the road and rail development projects under the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor.

China, Russia and the U.S. each have visions to connect Central Asia with the rest of Eurasia.

China wants to counterbalance Russian influence in Central Asia by expanding its economic activities, trade and transport projects in the region. As Russia suffers recession and the political isolation due to the conflict in Ukraine, its influence in Kazakhstan and Central Asia may decrease.

Three men of Central Asian descent have been arrested in New York on the charges of conspiracy to provide material support to the ISIL terrorist group.

Currently, ISIL does not seem to be operating in Afghanistan or Central Asian countries; yet, all necessary measures should be taken by the regional governments to take away the hope of ISIL surviving in the region.

China has been attempting to shape a non-Western security grouping to counterbalance NATO and allow it more room for military action in Asia. The SCO, often dubbed the Asian NATO, has been dominated by Russia and China. Expanding the SCO is imperative to securing the Central Asian gas pipelines, many of which run through Chinese territory and are threatened by insurgencies that compromise their construction.

Aid agencies are calling on international donors to show their support for Afghanistan even as they face ongoing crises. Humanitarian budgets in Afghanistan had often been tied to military objectives since the 2001 US-led invasion. As foreign troops prepare to pull out, fears of declining budgets are growing.