Category: Domestic Politics

Materials (articles, discussions, publications) on domestic politics and policies of Central Asian states (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan)

Meet the New Boss, Same as the Old Boss: Turkmenistan’s Presidency and Serdarism

By Victoria Clement Dr. Victoria Clement is the owner of Central Asian Insights, a consulting firm in northern Virginia. Clement has more than twenty-five years experience developing, executing, and presenting… Continue reading Meet the New Boss, Same as the Old Boss: Turkmenistan’s Presidency and Serdarism

Book Discussion—Bagila Bukharbayeva, The Vanishing Generation: Faith and Uprising in Modern Uzbekistan

By Michael Hall Bagila Bukharbayeva’s The Vanishing Generation: Faith and Uprising in Modern Uzbekistan follows the trajectory of Islamic dissidence and opposition under the rule of Uzbekistan’s dictatorial leader, Islam Karimov, from… Continue reading Book Discussion—Bagila Bukharbayeva, The Vanishing Generation: Faith and Uprising in Modern Uzbekistan

How Perceptions of the English Language Have Changed in Kazakhstan: A Narrative Analysis

By Valerie Sartor This study provides an overview of how perceptions of the English language in Kazakhstan have altered over time due to political, economic, social and technological changes. The… Continue reading How Perceptions of the English Language Have Changed in Kazakhstan: A Narrative Analysis

Kazakhstan: What Next? Understanding the Protests and the Post Protest Political Context

An online event hosted by the Central Asia Program at George Washington University and co-sponsored with the Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies, the Oxus Society for Central Asian… Continue reading Kazakhstan: What Next? Understanding the Protests and the Post Protest Political Context

The People’s Perspectives: Assessing Sadyr Japarov Through the Opinions of His Constituents

By Jonathan Meyer Jonathan Meyer is a master’s student concentrating in Conflict Management at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) and a programs intern with the International Foundation… Continue reading The People’s Perspectives: Assessing Sadyr Japarov Through the Opinions of His Constituents

Engaging with Muslim Civil Society in Central Asia: Components, Approaches, and Opportunities

By Sebastien Peyrouse and Emil Nasritdinov When Western policymakers and development practitioners turn their attention to Central Asia, they too often overlook Muslim civil society as a potential partner for… Continue reading Engaging with Muslim Civil Society in Central Asia: Components, Approaches, and Opportunities

Emil Shukurov on Nomadism: A Kyrgyz Response to the Environmental Crisis

By Dr. Paul Woods Dr. Paul Woods is a Research Tutor at the Oxford Centre for Mission Studies in Oxford. His principal research interest is contemporary activism in Central Asia.… Continue reading Emil Shukurov on Nomadism: A Kyrgyz Response to the Environmental Crisis

Video – Book Launch: Rentier Capitalism and Its Discontents: Power, Morality, and Resistance in Central Asia

A virtual event hosted by the Central Asia Program at the George Washington University on November 16, 2021. This book explains and evaluates today’s economic, political, social and ecological crises… Continue reading Video – Book Launch: Rentier Capitalism and Its Discontents: Power, Morality, and Resistance in Central Asia

Inequality Between Students of Rural and Urban Schools in Kazakhstan: Causes and Ways to Address It

By Zhaslan Nurbayev Zhaslan Nurbayev is a PhD / Candidate of Sciences in History and Associate Professor in the Department of Regional Studies of L.N. Gumilev Eurasian National University. In 2014-2015,… Continue reading Inequality Between Students of Rural and Urban Schools in Kazakhstan: Causes and Ways to Address It

Transition to Sustainability in Azerbaijan: Policy Review and Analysis

By Ilaha Abasli Ilaha was a Spring 2021 CAAFP Fellow. She is a PhD researcher at Institute of Social Studies, Erasmus Rotterdam University. Ilaha holds a Master’s degree in International… Continue reading Transition to Sustainability in Azerbaijan: Policy Review and Analysis

Reclaiming Historical Past and Collective Public Memory: The Case of Valikhanov in Kazakhstan

Nazerke Mukhlissova is currently a student at Nazarbayev University, Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan, double majoring in Political Science and History. Her paper on Valikhanov and Kazakhstani public memory has been accepted by… Continue reading Reclaiming Historical Past and Collective Public Memory: The Case of Valikhanov in Kazakhstan

Current Political, Economic, and Social Challenges in Tajikistan

An Interview with Muhiddin Kabiri conducted by Sebastien Peyrouse as part of Central Asia Program’s Civil Society in Central Asia series. Muhiddin Kabiri is a Tajik politician, Chairman of the… Continue reading Current Political, Economic, and Social Challenges in Tajikistan

Book Launch – Pipe Dreams: Water and Empire in Central Asia’s Aral Sea Basin

Book Launch – Pipe Dreams: Water and Empire in Central Asia’s Aral Sea Basin March 16, 2021 Virtual book launch hosted by the Central Asia Program at the Institute for… Continue reading Book Launch – Pipe Dreams: Water and Empire in Central Asia’s Aral Sea Basin

Book Launch – Toward Nationalizing Regimes: Conceptualizing Power and Identity in the Post-Soviet Realm (Video)

Book Launch – Toward Nationalizing Regimes: Conceptualizing Power and Identity in the Post-Soviet Realm March 11, 2021 Virtual book launch hosted by the Central Asia Program at the Institute for… Continue reading Book Launch – Toward Nationalizing Regimes: Conceptualizing Power and Identity in the Post-Soviet Realm (Video)

Disabling Public Discontent: The 2021 Parliamentary Elections in Kazakhstan

By Serik Beimenbetov Serik Beimenbetov is a post-doctoral research fellow and senior lecturer at the Kazakh-German University in Almaty. He completed his PhD at the Department of Political Science and… Continue reading Disabling Public Discontent: The 2021 Parliamentary Elections in Kazakhstan