Central Asia

Democracy
commentary
A Democratic Spring Could Be Stirring in Eurasia. The West's Quiet Support Can Help
Denis Corboy, William Courtney @courtneywmh, Kenneth Yalowitz
Jun 13, 2019
Newsweek
An incipient Eurasian “democratic spring” may not yet be on the horizon, but political awareness and civil society are gaining ground. The West could contribute by continuing to help to fill information vacuums, and by offering training and support for nurturing civil society, conducting free and fair elections, and developing competitive politics.
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Economic Development
commentary
Eurasia Facing Tough Choices for the Future
William Courtney @courtneywmh
Aug 13, 2015
The Moscow Times
There is much to be said for Eurasia's rich ethnic, national, religious, and cultural diversity. In the economic sphere, however, Eurasians should reassess bad habits, such as weak property rights, centralized state control, and associated corruption.
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Energy
commentary
Can Eurasian Energy Compete?
William Courtney @courtneywmh, Richard Kauzlarich, Kenneth Yalowitz
Jan 16, 2015
The National Interest
Cheaper oil, government interference, and market dynamics jeopardize the future of Russian and Caspian energy. To be globally competitive, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Turkmenistan should let the private sector play a greater role and make more decisions on commercial, rather than political grounds.
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Nuclear Deterrence
commentary
Celebrating the Success of Project Sapphire
William Courtney @courtneywmh, Susan Koch, Jeffrey Starr
Nov 21, 2014
The National Interest
Twenty years ago this week, the United States transported over 600 kilograms of at-risk, weapons-usable highly enriched uranium (HEU) from Kazakhstan to Oak Ridge, Tennessee, for safekeeping. Kazakhstan had the courage to trust its new relationship with the U.S. to help prevent the proliferation of dangerous material to countries that might seek to build nuclear weapons.
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International Economic Relations
commentary
The Strategy Behind China's Aid Expansion
Charles Wolf, Jr.
Oct 9, 2013
The Wall Street Journal
Between 2001 and 2011, China's pledged foreign aid was $671 billion. In all regions and countries, China's assistance focuses on the development of natural resources, principally energy-related (coal, oil, and gas). Both parties presumably benefit from China's aid but both are also exposed to added risks and hidden costs.
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International Economic Relations
blog
New RAND Study Examines Chinese Economic Assistance to Other Countries
Sep 19, 2013
With the world's second largest economy, China has the capacity to engage in substantial programs of economic assistance and government-sponsored investments in 93 emerging-market countries.
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Afghanistan
commentary
Our Man in Kabul
James Dobbins @Jim_Dobbins
Nov 4, 2009
Foreign Affairs
The last thing Karzai, NATO, and the United States can afford is the emergence of a renewed northern alliance, writes James Dobbins.
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commentary
C. Asia's Great Game
F. Stephen Larrabee
Mar 5, 2007
United Press International
Published commentary by RAND staff: C. Asia's Great Game, in United Press International.
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commentary
Central Asia's Other 'Turkmenbashis'
F. Stephen Larrabee
Jan 15, 2007
Project Syndicate
Published commentary by RAND staff: Central Asia's Other 'Turkmenbashis', in Project Syndicate--an association that distributes commentaries to 291 newspapers in 115 countries.
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commentary
Why America Shouldn't Sever Uzbekistan Ties
Olga Oliker
Sep 6, 2005
Baltimore Sun
Published commentary by RAND staff: Why America Shouldn't Sever Uzbekistan Ties, appearing in Balitmore Sun.
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Central Asia

A Democratic Spring Could Be Stirring in Eurasia. The West's Quiet Support Can Help

Eurasia Facing Tough Choices for the Future

Can Eurasian Energy Compete?

Celebrating the Success of Project Sapphire

The Strategy Behind China's Aid Expansion

New RAND Study Examines Chinese Economic Assistance to Other Countries

Our Man in Kabul

C. Asia's Great Game

Central Asia's Other 'Turkmenbashis'

Why America Shouldn't Sever Uzbekistan Ties

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