Research seeks to examine the internal dynamics and external forces determining the complex political present and future of the states of Central Asia.

The states of Central Asia - comprising Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan - have emerged from the trauma of independence as the architects of their own destinies but also the object of intense geopolitical rivalry.

Rich in energy reserves, proximate to the rising power of China, and the old imperial master, Russia, as well as the theatre of war in Afghanistan, the region is of high strategic and economic importance for both its powerful neighbours and the West.

The intense competition for resources and influence presents both challenges and opportunities for the elites in all the countries, as they seek to balance interests and pressures both internally and externally. All the countries of the region face significant political, economic and developmental challenges, further complicated by highly personalised regimes with fragile institutions, a weak rule of law and undeveloped civil societies.

The Programme's research into this region focuses on:

• Geopolitical competition between Russia, China, and the West;
• The interaction between politics and energy and the Caspian. The prospects for, and determinants of, future energy policy amongst the major exporters;
• Russia's influence in the region;
• The politics of decision-making - what, and who drives policy in these states?

The Russia and Eurasia Programme runs a series of events focusing on these and other issues relating to Central Asia throughout the year. Chatham House Briefing Papers on Russia's influence in Central Asia, and Turkmenistan's political system are currently in preparation.

Events

13 September 2010
Discourses of Danger and Western Policy Towards Central Asia in Light of Recent Events
Annette Bohr, Associate Fellow, Russia and Eurasia Programme, Chatham House
John Heathershaw, University of Exeter
David Lewis, University of Bradford
Nick Megoran, University of Newcastle
James Nixey, Research Fellow and Manager, Russia and Eurasia Programme, Chatham House
Madeleine Reeves, University of Manchester

11 May 2010
Kazakhstan's Economic Outlook
Tulegen Askarov, Kazakhstan's Institute of Management, Economics and Strategic Research

3 March 2010
Turkish-Armenian Diplomacy: Bilateral and Regional Implications of Efforts to Normalize Relations

25 February 2010
Uzbekistan's Foreign Policy Challenges and Prospects in the Coming Year
Sodyq Safaev, Chairman of the Committee for Foreign Relations of the Senate of Uzbekistan

23-24 February 2010
The Politics of Central Asia and Caspian Energy

15 October 2009
Tajikistan's Domestic and Regional Priorities and Challenges
Muhiddin Kabiri MP, Leader of the Islamic Revival Party of Tajikistan
Rashid Abdullo, political scientist
Parviz Mullojonov, Executive Director, Public Committee for Democratic Processes

11 June 2009
The Politics of Decision-Making in Central Asia

1 June 2009
The Rise and Fall of Eurasia's Westbound Pipelines? Energy and Security along the East-West Corridor
Dr Ariel Cohen, Heritage Foundation

Publications

The Sources of Russian Influence in Central Asia
Briefing Paper, James Nixey, forthcoming

Contemporary Politics in Turkmenistan
Briefing Paper, Annette Bohr, forthcoming

Lands of Discord: Central Asia and the Caspian between Russia, China and the West
Book, Professor Yury Fedorov, forthcoming

Discourses of Danger and Western Policy Towards Central Asia in Light of Recent Events
Seminar Summary, September 2010

Central Asia: Responding to the Multi-Vectoring Game
Book chapter (in Ready to Lead: Rethinking America's Role in a Changed World), Annette Bohr, May 2010

Kazakhstan: End of the Banking Boom
Programme Paper, Annette Bohr, May 2009

Revolution in Kyrgyzstan - Again
Programme Paper, Annette Bohr, April 2010

Pipeline Politics: the Caspian and Global Energy Security
Book, John Roberts, January 2010

Tajikistan's Domestic and Regional Priorities and Challenges
Roundtable Summary, October 2009

The Politics of Decision-Making in Central Asia
Seminar Summary, June 2009

Further Information

For more information about this project please contact:

Alex Nice, Programme Coordinator
Tel: +44 (0)20 7314 3627