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Kazakhstan

Commentary
A Case for Greater U.S. Engagement in Central Asia
Central Asia's souring relations with Russia and growing skepticism of Chinese influence have created a rare and valuable window of opportunity for the United States to bolster its image through greater long-term investment in the region.
Sep 11, 2023
Commentary
Advancing U.S. Relationships in Central Asia: An Opportunity Not to Be Squandered
Concerned about Putin's imperialist actions in Ukraine, five nations in Central Asia are looking to the West to offset the political, economic, and security-related pressures they feel from Russia and, increasingly, China. It would be a mistake for the United States not to seize this moment.
May 25, 2023
Commentary
Russia's Appetite May Extend Beyond Ukraine
Unless Russian forces are defeated in Ukraine or withdrawn by new Kremlin rulers, Moscow might assault other post-Soviet neighbors. The West may face limits on the extent to which it could help them thwart such attacks.
Feb 17, 2023
Report
Russia's Limit of Advance: Scenarios
Russia's ability to deploy military forces around the world is significantly depleted from the Soviet era. This report describes the strengths and weaknesses of Russia's ground force deployment capacity.
May 27, 2020
Report
Religion, Conflict, and Stability in the Former Soviet Union
Religion is a visible force in the sociopolitical life of post-Soviet countries. Understanding how religion has contributed to peace or tensions in the region could inform policymakers and others working to bring stability to the former Soviet republics.
Jan 15, 2018
Commentary
Can Eurasian Energy Compete?
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.
Jan 16, 2015
Commentary
Celebrating the Success of Project Sapphire
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.
Nov 21, 2014
Commentary
C. Asia's Great Game
Published commentary by RAND staff: C. Asia's Great Game, in United Press International.
Mar 5, 2007
Commentary
Central Asia's Other 'Turkmenbashis'
Published commentary by RAND staff: Central Asia's Other 'Turkmenbashis', in Project Syndicate--an association that distributes commentaries to 291 newspapers in 115 countries.
Jan 15, 2007
Research Brief
Economic Development in Central Asia is a Long-Term Security Concern
This research brief assesses the economic dimensions of security in post-Soviet Central Asia and considers their implications for the role of the United States.
Jul 27, 2006
Research Brief
Asian Countries Are Divided About U.S. Security Intentions in Central Asia
This research brief highlights the nature of Asian states' interests and influence in Central Asia, as well as their interpretations of U.S. intentions in the region, as a starting point for shaping future U.S. policy in Central Asia.
Jun 6, 2006
Research Brief
U.S. Military Has Important but Limited Long-Term Role in Central Asia
This research brief analyzes the implications of economic, political, and social trends in Central Asia and examines the U.S. military role in the area.
Jan 1, 2005
Report
Ukraine and the Caspian: An Opportunity for the United States
The author examines the various options for Caspian oil export and argues that the United States should support a pipeline route through Ukraine to Europe.
Jan 1, 2000
Report
Family Planning in Developing Countries: An Unfinished Success Story
If global fertility has declined so sharply, should the United States and other donor countries continue to invest in overseas population assistance programs, particularly family planning?
Aug 17, 1998
Report
The Value of Family Planning Programs in Developing Countries
Family planning programs have been highly successful over the past 30 years in providing women in development countries with desired access to contraceptive services and helping to reduce fertility rates.
Jan 1, 1998
Dissertation
The Unwilling State: Exploring Kazakhstan's Resistance to Economic Autonomy in the Post-Soviet Period
This dissertation explores the alternatives available to Kazakhstan as it chooses between participation in an economically integrated arrangement with other former republics and charting a more autonomous path.
Jan 1, 1995
Report
Impressions and conversations in Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, September 1988
This paper describes the author's experiences as a Study Leader for a Smithsonian group that traveled across Soviet Central Asia in September 1988. Speaking both Russian and Turkish, the author had many revealing conversations with people of both the...
Jan 1, 1990
Report
The Effect of Weather on Soviet Wheat Production
To estimate the effect of climate on Soviet wheat production, this study devises formulas that calculate variability of wheat production in three major areas: Southwest Ukraine, South Ukraine, and Kazakhstan-West Siberia.
Jan 1, 1980
Report
[The Possible Influence of Additional Evaporation from Reservoirs and Irrigated Tracts on Precipitation] by A. S. Grigoryeva.
A brief summary of the findings of Soviet studies on the influence of additional evaporation from reservoirs and irrigated tracts, projected through 1980, on the precipitation over two large territories in which the principal irrigation networks and ...
Jan 1, 1968

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