by Jacob Zenn (03/06/2013 issue of the CACI Analyst)

Kyrgyzstan has made clear that the U.S. must withdraw all of its troops from the Transit Center in Manas when the current lease agreement expires in the summer of 2014. During the ten-plus years of U.S. presence in Afghanistan, the U.S. depended on Central Asian countries, particularly Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, to funnel military supplies through the Northern Distribution Network into Afghanistan. This led to an increase in U.S. military and political influence in Central Asia. However, with the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and Kyrgyzstan opposing continuing the lease, there are doubts whether the U.S. will retain any influence in Central Asia after 2014.

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

CACI Forum

"Central-Asia Caucasus Institute"

The Impact of Events in the Arab World on Central Asia, the Caucasus, and Turkey, Part II

On April 18 CACI offered a program on “Impact of Events in the Arab World on Central Asia, the Caucasus and Turkey” featuring US diplomats and experts. On April 26 we return to the same subject, this time with analyses and views from seven rising leaders from Central Asia and the Caucasus, CACI’s current Rumsfeld Fellows.

Rebirth of domino theories following the upheavals that began in Tunisia and Egypt were first applied to other Arab countries. What are the arguments for and against such a hypothesis as it applies to the countries of Central Asia and the Caucasus?  The purpose of this session will be to gain fresh perspectives from young opinion leaders from the region on how their respective states and publics are responding to the Arab events including the likely course of developments in each one.

Monday, April 18, 2011

CACI Forum

"The Central-Asia Caucasus Institute"

The Impact of Events in the Arab World on Central Asia, the Caucasus, and Turkey

Among the many consequences of the upheavals that began in Tunisia and Egypt has been a dramatic rebirth of domino theories. First applied to other Arab countries, they are now being discussed with respect to countries further afield, including Central Asia, the Caucasus and Turkey. What are the arguments for and against such a hypothesis as it applies to the countries of these regions,, and how will it affect their foreign policies? What evidence has emerged in these countries in support of both the pro and con sides of the argument? What, if anything, is likely to occur, where, why, and how? How are regional states and publics responding to the Arab events and what  is the likely course of future developments there? These questions will be addressed by a panel of experts and by an audience that will include many persons with detailed knowledge of the regions in question.

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

CACI Forum

"The Central Asia-Caucasus Institute"

The WTO and the Central Asian States

Long on the outer margins of Central Asians' policy interests, the World Trade Organization has recently become a lively topic there. Kyrgyzstan joined in December, 1998, while Tajikistan's membership will be finalized in just a few weeks, in early March. Meanwhile, Kazakhstan is deep into the accession process and both Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan are in contact with WTO regarding their desire to move forward on the steps needed for joining. This Forum reviews the fate of WTO in Central Asia and considers the meaning of present trends for the region's future commercial activities and orientation.The Forum is preceded by a reception and refreshments at 5 p.m.  The program will begin promptly at 5:30 p.m. and will conclude at 7:00 p.m.