Latest Articles about Central Asia

Central Asia’s Water Crisis Becoming Russia’s Problem

Executive Summary: Water shortages in Central Asia are becoming a problem for Russia as the drought and its effects spread into Russian territories, and Central Asians call for Moscow to send water from Siberian rivers or face massive immigration. Russians overwhelmingly oppose the revival of... MORE

Hungary Courts the Turkic World

Executive Summary: Hungary hosted an informal summit of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) in May 2025, aiming to strengthen Budapest’s strategic positioning between the East and West, diversify diplomatic alliances, and boost the organization’s regional influence in Eurasia. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is... MORE

Uzbekistan Seeks Stronger Cooperation with Afghanistan

Executive Summary: Tashkent is positioning itself as a mediator between Taliban-led Afghanistan and the international community, advocating for integration rather than isolation since the fall of Kabul to the Taliban in 2021. Uzbekistan aims to turn Afghanistan into a strategic trade hub, offering access to... MORE

Japan Seeking to Expand Its Economic Footprint in Central Asia

Executive Summary: Japan, the fifth largest economy in the world, is making new moves to gain access to natural resources and industries in Central Asia, sparking tension with Moscow and Beijing. The Japanese government views recent Central Asian agreements on borders as opening a new... MORE