Field Reports
Criminal Boss Released From Prison In Kyrgyzstan
by Joldosh Osmonov (04/17/2013 issue of the CACI Analyst)
The early release from prison of one of Kyrgyzstan’s most influential criminal bosses received a negative public reaction and provoked new disputes among political groups in the country. While Kyrgyzstan’s authorities claim that the release was lawful, the parliament mounted an unexpected attack on the government, calling on the country’s leadership to punish responsible officials.
Nazarbayev Visits China To Meet Its new Leadership
by Georgiy Voloshin (04/17/2013 issue of the CACI Analyst)
On April 6, Kazakhstan’s President Nursultan Nazarbaev paid an official visit to the People’s Republic of China where he met with the new Chinese leader Xi Jinping to discuss the state of bilateral relations between Astana and Beijing. As Nazarbaev recalled during his interview for China Daily, the strengthening of the Kazakhstani-Chinese partnership remains one of the priorities of the “Kazakhstan-2050” strategy unveiled in late December 2012.
Georgian Government To Probe August 2008 War
by Eka Janashia (04/17/2013 issue of the CACI Analyst)
The Georgian Government has declared its intention to revisit the investigation of the war in August 2008. The renewed process envisages interrogations of President Mikheil Saakashvili and other high ranking government officials. The Saakashvili’s United National Movement (UNM) labeled the government’s decision an attempt to undermine Georgia’s national interests.
Azerbaijani Authorities Close Opposition University
by Mina Muradova (04/17/2013 issue of the CACI Analyst)
On April 10, Azerbaijani authorities shut down the Azad Fikir University (AFU, Free Thought University) set up by Western-educated youth leaders to promote human rights and other democratic values among youth. Human rights activists consider this step as representative of the government’s increasing pressure on alternative voices in the country ahead of the presidential election in October, 2013. On April 10, AFU informed its ca. 16,000 Facebook followers that representatives of the Chief Prosecutor’s Office arrived at the AFU without warning, sealed the door and closed the office.
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Joint Center Publications
Analysis Niklas Swanström and Leah Oppenheimer, "Invisible Ink: Looking for the Lost Trade between China, Russia, and Central Asia", ISDP Policy Brief, 13 March 2013. 
New Silk Road Paper S. Frederick Starr with Adib Farhadi, Finish the Job: Jump-Start the Afghan Economy, December 2012.
Conference Report Cheryl Benard, Eli Sugarman, and Holly Rehm, Cultural Heritage vs. Mining on the New Silk Road? Finding Technical Solutions for Mes Aynak and Beyond (in cooperation with the Alliance for the Restoration of Cultural Heritage) December 2012.
Article Svante E. Cornell, "The 'Afghanization of the North Caucasus: Causes and Implications of a Changing Conflict", in Stephen Blank, ed., Russia's Homegrown Insurgency: Jihad in the North Caucasus, Carlisle, PA: U.S. Army War College Strategic Studies Institute, 2012.