Central Asia’s Fragile Security Context

Energy resources, historical and cultural affinities, and outright political expediency have revived strategic interest in Central Asia. This week, we look at the external actors who are interested in the region and how local states are exploiting this interest to fulfill their own political objectives. Given this trend, we then ask whether closer regional and economic cooperation can actually occur or not. Finally, we look at some of the domestic challenges to the region’s security, with a particular emphasis on the threat posed by political Islam.

India and the New Silk Road

Video by Brookings Institution

Central Almaty Mosque, courtesy of Rio Murr/flickr

2 Aug 2013 Special Feature

Political Islam in Central Asia

Following yesterday’s analysis of the region-wide governance crisis in Central Asia, Arne Seifert looks at the role of political Islam in this fragile context. He believes that the region lacks a moderate counterweight to Islamist extremism, a deficiency that may eventually lead to conflict. More on «Political Islam in Central Asia»

Russian police officers, courtesy of Evgeniy Isaev/Flickr

2 Aug 2013 Security Watch

Central Asia: Labor Migrants Caught in Russian Politicians’ Crosshairs

Sending illegal economic migrants back to Central Asia has become a staple of many Russian politicians’ election campaigns. This is a major cause for concern for the region’s ruling elites, writes Murat Sadykov. Will it lead to political unrest, they ask. More on «Central Asia: Labor Migrants Caught in Russian Politicians’ Crosshairs»

Staff cadets from the Royal Military College of Australia, courtesy Australian Department of Defence/flickr

Jul 2013 Publications

Securing the South Pacific: Making the Most of Australia's Renewed Regional Focus

One of the major tasks outlined in Australia’s Defence White Paper 2013 involves promoting security and stability across the South Pacific. Today, Karl Claxton outlines the hard and soft power capabilities that Canberra needs to harness if it wants to foster regional partnerships and assume a leadership role. More on «Securing the South Pacific: Making the Most of Australia's Renewed Regional Focus»

Partners

Centre for Conflict and Peace Studies (CAPS)

Headquartered in Kabul, Afghanistan, the Centre for Conflict and Peace Studies (CAPS) is an independent research and advocacy center dedicated to the creation of a sustainable environment that can support peace and stability in Afghanistan. More on «Centre for Conflict and Peace Studies (CAPS) »

Attention ISN Researchers – We’ve rearranged and improved our Search Box!

If you click on “Browse Information”, for example, you’ll be taken to a redesigned landing page that features multiple ways for you to retrieve our Digital Library content. Yes, changes are afoot and they’re all designed to make your research efforts that much easier. Check it out! – The ISN Staff