IRAN AND TURKMENISTAN: WHAT BROUGHT AHMADINEJAD TO ASGHABAT?
By Muhammad Tahir (9/6/2006 issue of the CACI Analyst)
BACKGROUND: The relationship between Iran and Turkmenistan officially began shortly after the Turkmenistan’s independence in 1991, when they officially inaugurated diplomatic missions. Since then, Iran has become an important player among nations fighting to increase their influence in Central Asian countries. Iran, despite its reputation of being a repressive Islamic regime, had an advantageous position to take this struggle one step ahead of the others, since it was also welcomed by Turkmenistan, because, in contrast to western countries, Tehran had no interest in the political system of Turkmenistan.SOCHI SUMMIT STRENGTHENS EURASEC
By Richard Weitz (9/6/2006 issue of the CACI Analyst)
BACKGROUND: Eurasec was established in 2000. Its membership roster includes Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and now Uzbekistan. Armenia, Moldova, and Ukraine enjoy observer status.SAID MAGOMED KAKIEV: CHECHNYA’S STRONGMAN IN WAITING?
By Kevin Daniel Leahy (9/6/2006 issue of the CACI Analyst)
BACKGROUND: The first overt indication of tension within the pro-Moscow ranks came at the end of April, when troops loyal to Kadyrov and those of his nominal superior, President Alu Alkhanov, exchanged gun-fire in downtown Grozny. Then, in late May, reports surfaced about a confrontation that had taken place between Kadyrov’s forces and those of another pro-Moscow stalwart, Movladi Baisarov, when the latter’s guard deigned to detain a young relative of Ramzan’s as he was leaving Grozny. The sour state of relations between these respective parties had previously been remarked upon.JAPAN’S CENTRAL ASIAN DIPLOMACY AND ITS IMPLICATIONS
By Timur Dadabaev (9/6/2006 issue of the CACI Analyst)
BACKGROUND: The first visit by Japanese Prime Minister Koizumi to the Central Asian republics of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan during the last week of August 2006 is part of Japan’s efforts to shape its foreign policy towards this resource-rich and strategically important region. This visit is not a single diplomatic effort as pictured by some analysts, but a continuation of the efforts by Japanese policymakers to find the most suitable and effective track for Japanese diplomacy in Central Asia. Japan was late in asserting its influence in Central Asia.Visit also
Staff Publications
Silk Road Paper S. Frederick Starr, Greater Central Asia as A Component of U.S. Global Strategy, October 2024.
Analysis Laura Linderman, "Rising Stakes in Tbilisi as Elections Approach," Civil Georgia, September 7, 2024.
Analysis Mamuka Tsereteli, "U.S. Black Sea Strategy: The Georgian Connection", CEPA, February 9, 2024.
Silk Road Paper Svante E. Cornell, ed., Türkiye's Return to Central Asia and the Caucasus, July 2024.
Book Svante E. Cornell, ed., "The Changing Geopolitics of Central Asia and the Caucasus" AFPC Press/Armin LEar, 2023.
Silk Road Paper Svante E. Cornell and S. Frederick Starr, Stepping up to the “Agency Challenge”: Central Asian Diplomacy in a Time of Troubles, July 2023.
Silk Road Paper S. Frederick Starr, U.S. Policy in Central Asia through Central Asian Eyes, May 2023.