Central Asia

The Failure of Democracy in Post-Soviet Eurasia

June 12, 2012 // 3:30pm — 5:30pm
Twenty years after the collapse of the Soviet Union, it is clear that democracy has failed to take root in most former Soviet republics. Based on extensive field research in the region, this seminar will discuss the varieties of non-democratic regimes that have developed and will offer some explanations for the failure of democracy in Russia, Central Asia, and the Caucasus. more

Geopolitics, States, and Networks in Central Eurasia

May 09, 2012 // 3:30pm — 5:30pm
Authors and scholars Alexander Cooley and Alexander Kupatadze discuss their research into the interplay of geopolitics and local networks across Central Asia. Cooley explores the dynamics of the new competition between Russia, China and the United States over the region since 9/11, as well as how small states’ interaction with great powers advances our understanding of how world politics actually works in the contemporary era of diminishing Western influence and rising new regional powers. Author Alexander Kupatadze will discuss the diverging trajectories of organized crime in post-Soviet Eurasia focusing on professional criminals (so-called vory-v-zakone) in Georgia and drug smuggling groups in Kyrgyzstan. more

Energy Politics in Central Eurasia

March 28, 2012 // 3:30pm — 5:30pm
Spotlight on Central Eurasia Series // Stacy Closson argues that Central Asia is an energy and water rich region that, if cooperative, could cover their annual shortages of electricity, which range roughly around 25%, as well as decrease costs of energy, and protect the environment. Instead, the leaders have engaged in hostile practices that not only cause problems across borders and waste foreign investment and assistance, but also limit their developmental possibilities. Gregory Gleason notes that inherently non-transparent and centralized fixed energy infrastructures such as oil and gas pipelines and electric grids obscure financial transactions and are susceptible to political manipulation. Gleason, in his analysis of "power politics," explains why he sees the rapid pace of technology-driven market volatility in Eurasian markets as swiftly shifting Central Asian trends. more
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The Failure of Democracy in Post-Soviet Eurasia

June 12, 2012 // 3:30pm — 5:30pm
Twenty years after the collapse of the Soviet Union, it is clear that democracy has failed to take root in most former Soviet republics. Based on extensive field research in the region, this seminar will discuss the varieties of non-democratic regimes that have developed and will offer some explanations for the failure of democracy in Russia, Central Asia, and the Caucasus.

Geopolitics, States, and Networks in Central Eurasia

May 09, 2012 // 3:30pm — 5:30pm
Authors and scholars Alexander Cooley and Alexander Kupatadze discuss their research into the interplay of geopolitics and local networks across Central Asia. Cooley explores the dynamics of the new competition between Russia, China and the United States over the region since 9/11, as well as how small states’ interaction with great powers advances our understanding of how world politics actually works in the contemporary era of diminishing Western influence and rising new regional powers. Author Alexander Kupatadze will discuss the diverging trajectories of organized crime in post-Soviet Eurasia focusing on professional criminals (so-called vory-v-zakone) in Georgia and drug smuggling groups in Kyrgyzstan.

Energy Politics in Central Eurasia

March 28, 2012 // 3:30pm — 5:30pm
Spotlight on Central Eurasia Series // Stacy Closson argues that Central Asia is an energy and water rich region that, if cooperative, could cover their annual shortages of electricity, which range roughly around 25%, as well as decrease costs of energy, and protect the environment. Instead, the leaders have engaged in hostile practices that not only cause problems across borders and waste foreign investment and assistance, but also limit their developmental possibilities. Gregory Gleason notes that inherently non-transparent and centralized fixed energy infrastructures such as oil and gas pipelines and electric grids obscure financial transactions and are susceptible to political manipulation. Gleason, in his analysis of "power politics," explains why he sees the rapid pace of technology-driven market volatility in Eurasian markets as swiftly shifting Central Asian trends.
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Population in Defense Policy Planning

U.S. defense policymakers should watch four demographic trends, says Jennifer Dabbs Sciubba: youthful populations, changes in military personnel, international migration, and urbanization.

From Environmental Peacemaking to Environmental Peacekeeping

While it is still not clear if environmental cooperation can lead directly to peace, we should explore the environment’s potential as a peacemaking tool in this increasingly unstable and conflictual world, writes Erika Weinthal.

ECSP Report 9: Reviews (Part 3)

Experts review new publications (Part 3).
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About the Kennan Institute

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Alexandros Petersen

Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars
Alexandros Petersen is Advisor to the European Energy Security Initiative (EESI) at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. An internationally recognized scholar of grand strategy and energy geopolitics, he is the author of The World Island: Eurasian Geopolitics and the Fate of the Wes...

Edward Allworth

Elizabeth Wishnick

Associate Professor, Department of Politics and Law, Montclair State University Senior Research Scholar, Weatherhead East Asian Institute, Columbia University
I first developed the concept for my monograph, China as a Risk Society, as a result of my experience as a Fulbright lecturer in Hong Kong in 2002-2003, the year of the SARS crisis, when I observed a complete turnaround in China’s relations with its neighbors due to the Chinese government’s mishandl...
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