Kazakhstan’s Bloody January: Protest Motivations, Public Perceptions and Human Rights
Online discussion co-organized by the PaperLab Research Center (Astana, Kazakhstan) In the first days of 2022, Kazakhstan witnessed a series of protests that sent shockwaves through the country. The response from authorities was marked by ambiguity, resulting in numerous casualties and injuries. To this day, a clear understanding of the events remains elusive. During this… Continue reading Kazakhstan’s Bloody January: Protest Motivations, Public Perceptions and Human Rights
Central Asia’s Aral Sea: Lessons for Today’s Climate Crisis
Lindner Family Commons, 6th floor GW’s Elliott School of International Affairs 1957 E St NW, WashingtonHybrid Event, Image by NASA Earth Observatory Once one of the world’s largest inland bodies of water, the Aral Sea began to shrink dramatically in the 1960s, when Soviet officials directed an increasing volume of water towards cotton production. As a result of the declining water levels, the climate and ecology of the surrounding region changed. Dust… Continue reading Central Asia’s Aral Sea: Lessons for Today’s Climate Crisis
Researching Central Asia. Navigating Positionality in the Field
Researching Central Asia can be interesting, entertaining, life-changing, traumatizing and, at the very least, thought provoking. The way we, Central Asians and Central Asianists, experience the region differs, but it certainly impacts our lives in a multitude of small and not-so-small ways. Based on first-hand personal and professional experiences of Central Asia experts coming from… Continue reading Researching Central Asia. Navigating Positionality in the Field
The 80th Anniversary of the Chechen and Ingush Deportation: What is its legacy today?
Virtual Event Tuesday, February 27, 2024 from 10:00-11:00am Join us for a discussion organized by the Central Asia Program at The George Washington University to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the deportation of the Chechen and Ingush nations to Central Asia. The speakers will discuss the historical and political significance that deportation still holds for the people… Continue reading The 80th Anniversary of the Chechen and Ingush Deportation: What is its legacy today?
Central Asian Regionalism: Insights from Inside and Out
Voesar Conference Room (Suite 412) at the Elliott School of International Affairs, The George Washington University, 1957 E Street, NW, Washington, DC, 20052Hybrid Event Since the dawn of independence, the five post-Soviet Central Asian republics have identified themselves as a single political region. However, their separate efforts to shape national identities, institutions, and policies have not always been compatible with the promotion of regional cooperation. Today we see a resurgence of regionalism in Central Asia. There is… Continue reading Central Asian Regionalism: Insights from Inside and Out
Central Asia: Multi-Vector Policy for the 21st Century—Strategy and Development
Elliott School of International Affairs The George Washington University 1957 E Street, NW | Washington, DC | 20052Hybrid Event Wednesday, March 6th, 2024 from 10:00am-2:00pm Central Asia’s multi-vector approach to diplomacy has long been a cornerstone of its foreign policy, playing a prominent role in regional discussions. This strategic framework enables states to nurture relations with influential actors like Russia and China, while safeguarding their own sovereignty. Central Asian nations have effectively… Continue reading Central Asia: Multi-Vector Policy for the 21st Century—Strategy and Development
Exploring the Dynamics of Open Government in Kazakhstan: A Critical Assessment of Tokayev’s “Listening State” Reform
Image from Kazakhstan's Presidential Press Service Online Event In March 2019, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev assumed the presidency through a meticulously orchestrated succession, pledging to advance political liberalization and foster greater responsiveness among Kazakh state officials to the concerns of ordinary citizens. Against the backdrop of election protests in June 2019, the nation’s second President introduced the… Continue reading Exploring the Dynamics of Open Government in Kazakhstan: A Critical Assessment of Tokayev’s “Listening State” Reform
Navigating the New Energy Geopolitics: Assessing Russia’s Power Play in Central Asia’s Post-2022 Gas Crisis
Elliott School of International Affairs The George Washington University 1957 E Street, NW | Washington, DC | 20052Hybrid Event Friday, March 8, 2024 from 10:00 - 11:30am The disruption of Russian gas supplies in 2022 sparked a profound reappraisal of supply and infrastructure dependencies beyond the EU-Russia energy relationship. In this new geopolitical reality, it is necessary to critically assess Russia’s use of energy supply and infrastructure investments as a tool of… Continue reading Navigating the New Energy Geopolitics: Assessing Russia’s Power Play in Central Asia’s Post-2022 Gas Crisis
Navigating Turmoil: The Dynamics of Armenian-Azerbaijani Relations in 2024
Online Event Thursday, March 14, 2024 from 11:00am - 12:15pm Nearly six months since the end of the Third Karabakh War, tensions persist along the Armenia-Azerbaijan borders as both nations trade accusations. Discontent with Russia’s failure to protect Karabakh’s residents has prompted Armenia to reconsider its Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) membership, raising the question… Continue reading Navigating Turmoil: The Dynamics of Armenian-Azerbaijani Relations in 2024
Annual Security Workshop: Navigating Global Turbulence: Building Resilience in Central Asia
In-Person Event Thursday, March 28, 2024 from 8:45 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (EDT) Central Asia is at a pivotal point, facing significant geopolitical, economic, and environmental challenges that could have global consequences. The Central Asia Program Security Workshop aims to address these issues by fostering dialog among experts and stakeholders, particularly in light of Russia’s… Continue reading Annual Security Workshop: Navigating Global Turbulence: Building Resilience in Central Asia
A Slow Reckoning: The USSR, the Afghan Communists, and Islam
Online Event Tuesday, April 9, 2024 from 10:00-11:00am EDT Vassily Klimentov will be discussing his book, A Slow Reckoning: The USSR, the Afghan Communists, and Islam, published by Northern Illinois University Press / Cornell University Press. A Slow Reckoning examines the Soviet Union’s and the Afghan Communists’ views of and policies toward Islam and Islamism during the Soviet-Afghan… Continue reading A Slow Reckoning: The USSR, the Afghan Communists, and Islam
Between Allies and Adversaries: Assessing Iran’s Stand on Armenia and Azerbaijan
Online Event Monday, April 22, 2024 from 11:00am - 12:15pm EDT In the South Caucasus, Iran grapples with its relationships with Armenia and Azerbaijan amid regional power dynamics. Concerns about the pan-Turkic movement prompt Iran to consider alliances, potentially including with Christian Armenia, particularly as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan also seeks leadership in the… Continue reading Between Allies and Adversaries: Assessing Iran’s Stand on Armenia and Azerbaijan
COP29, Azerbaijan, and Environmental and Human Rights
Online Event Tuesday, April 30, 2024 from 10:00-11:00 am EDT In November 2024, the UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) will be held in Baku, Azerbaijan, marking the third year in a row that the meeting has convened in a country with significant fossil fuel reserves and a dismal human rights record. As Azerbaijan prepares for… Continue reading COP29, Azerbaijan, and Environmental and Human Rights
“Awaken, Kazakh!” Kazakhstan’s History on Television: Reconstruction, Interpretation, Controversy
Online Event Monday, May 6, 2024 10:00-11:30am EDT “Kazakhstan’s History on Television: Reconstruction, Interpretation, Controversy” is dedicated to the narrative representation of Kazakhstani history on television. Recent fictionalized biographies about leading Kazakh intellectuals such as Abai Qunanbayev (Qunanbaiuly), Ahmet Baitursynov (Baitursynuly), and Mirzhaqyp Dulatov (Dulatuly) evoked strong reactions among native audiences, especially from young viewers.… Continue reading “Awaken, Kazakh!” Kazakhstan’s History on Television: Reconstruction, Interpretation, Controversy
Re-evaluating Russia’s Influence in the Armenia-Azerbaijan Dispute
The significant outflow of Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh following the events of September 19–20, 2023, and the withdrawal of Russian peacekeepers from Azerbaijan on April 17, 2024, signals a potential shift in Russia’s engagement in the South Caucasus. This rapid departure marks the first instance of Russia seemingly relinquishing its influence in a former Soviet territory… Continue reading Re-evaluating Russia’s Influence in the Armenia-Azerbaijan Dispute
Re-Evaluating Georgia’s Position in the South Caucasus Conflict
In the 1990s, Pres. Eduard Shevardnadze declared that “Transcaucasia is our mutual home,” implying that Azeris, Armenians, and Georgians could live together peacefully in the region, just as they do inside Georgia, provided their governments’ propaganda did not interfere. However, after 2008, when Russia intervened and recognized Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent states, some… Continue reading Re-Evaluating Georgia’s Position in the South Caucasus Conflict
The Central Asia Program and the Embassy of Uzbekistan invite you to a movie night!
On September 11, 2001, Flight 101 was a routine flight from Tashkent to Birmingham to New York. The passengers, a diverse mix of Jews, African Americans, Pakistanis, Uzbeks, Russians, and Indians, represented the varied tapestry of humanity. They were businesspeople and workers, each with their own stories, never anticipating that on that fateful day, their… Continue reading The Central Asia Program and the Embassy of Uzbekistan invite you to a movie night!
Uzbekistan’s Independence Day Concert
In celebration of Independence Day of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Central Asia Program and the Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan in the United States are delighted to invite you to a special concert featuring renowned Uzbek performers: The concert will conclude with a discussion between the musicians and the audience.
Book presentation: “Mystical Forest: Collected Poems and Short Stories of Dungan Ethnographer Ali Dzhon”
Born in Shor-Tyube, Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic, USSR, in 1951, Dungan ethnographer and creative writer Ali Dzhon is widely regarded as the pre-eminent writer on the material and spiritual culture and history of the Dungan people, the Sinophone Muslims of Central Asia. Mystical Forest makes available for the first time in English a significant collection of Dzhon’s… Continue reading Book presentation: “Mystical Forest: Collected Poems and Short Stories of Dungan Ethnographer Ali Dzhon”
New Books in Asian Studies: Uyghur Identity and Culture: A Global Diaspora in a Time of Crisis
Elliott School of International Affairs The George Washington University 1957 E Street, NW | Washington, DC | 20052Room 602, 6th floor1957 E St NWWashington, DC 20052 Join the Sigur Center for Asian Studies and Central Asia Program for a talk with the editors of the new volume Uyghur Identity and Culture. Uyghur Identity and Culture brings together the work of scholars, activists, and native Uyghurs to explore the history and growing challenges that the Uyghur… Continue reading New Books in Asian Studies: Uyghur Identity and Culture: A Global Diaspora in a Time of Crisis
Kazakh and Uzbek Biweekly Language Lunches
If you’re looking to learn or improve your Kazakh or Uzbek language skills, or simply want to learn more about Central Asian countries, join us for casual biweekly lunches. These gatherings provide an opportunity to practice language skills and engage in conversations about the culture and heritage of Central Asia. Location: Graduate Student Lounge, 6th Floor, 1957… Continue reading Kazakh and Uzbek Biweekly Language Lunches
From Tradition to Digital: Exploring Media and Communication Dynamicsin Central Asia
Location: Voesar Conference Room, 1957 E St NW Washington DC, 4th floor Suite 412 Event type: Hybrid This seminar will explore insights from the edited volume Mapping the Media and Communication Landscape of Central Asia: An Anthology of Emerging and Contemporary Issues - 9781793633484 (rowman.com). It examines the evolving media environments of Central Asia, focusing on… Continue reading From Tradition to Digital: Exploring Media and Communication Dynamicsin Central Asia
Armenia and France: Strengthening Ties Amid Regional Tensions?
Virtual Event After losing two wars over Nagorno-Karabakh, Armenia is seeking new allies in Western Europe. Disillusionment with Moscow’s inaction during the 2023 blockade of Nagorno-Karabakh and recent conflicts has driven Armenia to reconsider its foreign alliances. Armenia’s growing partnership with France, marked by French Foreign Minister Stéphane Séjourné’s recent visit and enhanced military cooperation, has… Continue reading Armenia and France: Strengthening Ties Amid Regional Tensions?
Addressing Central Asia’s Water Crisis: Challenges and Pathways to Regional Cooperation
Central Asia faces a critical challenge in managing its shared water resources, with major rivers like the Amu Darya and Syr Darya crossing multiple national borders. As population growth, urbanization, and industrial expansion heighten the demand for water, competition over limited resources intensifies, especially in countries such as Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan, where agriculture heavily… Continue reading Addressing Central Asia’s Water Crisis: Challenges and Pathways to Regional Cooperation
