Alexander Kim
Alexander Kim is an expert on Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and the Central Asian region.
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Articles by Alexander Kim
Uzbekistan’s Succession: Regime Seeks to Retain Legitimacy, Legacy and Stability
The death of President Islam Karimov will be a serious test of Uzbekistan’s political stability. But contrary to most gloomy predictions, the country’s leadership was evidently much more prepared for
New Generation of Politicians Set to Play Growing Role in Kazakhstan
After long years of model stability, Kazakhstan is currently facing increasing turbulence in its economy and security. The country continues to struggle with the negative repercussions of the oil market
Turkmenistan Tightens Its Regime Ahead of Difficult Times
President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov has repeatedly reshuffled his government over the last several weeks. At a meeting of the State Security Council, in early March, he relieved from their
Cheaper Oil Price Pushes Kazakhstan Toward Limited Economic and Political Reforms
With the global oil price dropping to below $40 per barrel and the tenge showing the worst performance among the world’s currencies in a year (Nur.kz, December 19, 2015), Kazakhstan
Central Asian Republics Welcome New US Approach Toward Region
On November 1, the city of Samarkand, Uzbekistan, hosted the foreign ministers of the five Central Asian republics, who met together with US Secretary of State John Kerry in the
Turkmenistan Considers Eliminating Generous Energy and Utilities Subsidies for Citizens
The Central Asian republic of Turkmenistan is considering abandoning the socio-economic system, in place since independence over 20 years ago, that the government has used to placate the population. At
Kazakhstan’s Next Parliamentary Election May Lay Foundation for Eventual Presidential Succession
In early July, Kazakh media reported on a new political initiative announced by a group of young activists headed by Olesya Khalabuzar (Informburo.kz, July 8). The group proposed the creation
It’s All About the Ruble: How to Resolve the Looming Regional Economic Crisis in Central Asia?
On June 22, the World Bank approved $12 million in additional financing for Tajikistan for a project creating temporary employment in rural districts (clearing irrigation and drainage canals). This financing
St. George’s Ribbons and Their Dubious Symbolism in Post-Soviet Central Asia
The Embassy of the Russian Federation in Uzbekistan has announced that between April 27 and May 8, to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany
Russian MTS Returns to Uzbekistan: Implications for Bilateral Relations
In December 2014, Russian telecommunications company Mobile TeleSystems (MTS) resumed its business in Uzbekistan after a two-and-half-year absence. In 2012, Uzbekistan’s authorities had accused the company’s local subsidiary, Uzdunrobita (also
Common Currency for the Eurasian Economic Union: Testing the Ground?
On March 20, Russian President Vladimir Putin, while on a visit to Astana, Kazakhstan, said that Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan—the three main founding members of the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU),
China and the Silk Road: Marching Westward
On November 29, 2013, an international cargo train Chang’an (“Lasting Peace”) departed from Xi’an, the capital city of Shaanxi province in central China, and traveled westward toward Central Asia. On
Political Scandal in Uzbekistan Harms Investment Climate
Amid an ongoing domestic political scandal, Uzbekistan may face another wave of investment capital flight. On January 2, British-Canadian Tethys Petroleum announced its decision to leave Uzbekistan and focus on
Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan: Can Common Interests Push Old Quarrels Aside?
Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan suffered from serious bilateral tensions in the first decade after both Central Asian republics had gained their independence. But following the election of Turkmenistan’s new president, Gurbanguly
China and Kazakhstan: Inevitability of Beijing’s Growing Influence
For centuries, China was a major source of wealth for the nomadic peoples of Central Asia: the relationship between the steppe and one of the most developed settled civilizations had
Water in Central Asia: Divides or Unites?
The visit of Kazakhstani President Nursultan Nazarbaev to Uzbekistan on June 14, 2013, and the positive rhetoric accompanying the outcome of this visit—the two countries’ leaders signed a Strategic Partnership
Opposition to Customs Union Grows Across Eurasia
While the Customs Union between Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan is seeking to expand its membership, paving the way for the gradual incorporation of the Kyrgyz Republic and Ukraine into its
Scandal in Scandinavia: Gulnara Karimova’s Shrinking Prospects to Become Next Uzbek President
The issue of power succession in Uzbekistan gained momentum as a serious investigation has been launched in Sweden against Gulnara Karimova, the 40-year old daughter of Uzbekistan’s President Islam Karimov.