Kazakhstan Downplays NATO’s Role in Central Asia

Kazakhstan has recently participated in international military exercises with its NATO partners as well as through the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) in what at first sight appears to confirm that its multi-vector foreign policy also strongly influences its defense and security policy. Nonetheless, the scope, intensity and seriousness attached to the country’s defense and security relations with Moscow and its involvement in the CSTO goes far above the lip service it pays to cooperation with NATO. This critical distinction in Astana’s defense policy is amply demonstrated by the country hosting the CSTO’s first peacekeeping exercises from October 8 to October 17 (Interfax, October 3; see EDM, September 11). READ MORE
The Nightmare Scenario: A U.S.-China War

Our great and powerful editor has requested—nay, demanded!—a series of posts exploring how a U.S.-China war might unfold. That sounds like a request for prophecy. But making predictions is a dicey business, as the equally great and powerful sage Yogi Berra reportedly observed—especially when they’re about the future. The Naval Diplomat is no clairvoyant. Undeterred, we nonetheless commence a five-post cycle exploring some of the big ideas likely to shape each phase of a Far Eastern maelstrom. READ MORE
Ex-Kyrgyz President’s Son Arrested in London

Ex-Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev’s son Maxim has been arrested in London, the Kyrgyz presidential press service said. READ MORE
Russia “cements” relations with Central Asian states

Russian President Vladimir Putin's recent visits to the Central Asian states, including Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Kazakhstan, demonstrates the country's willing to "cement" its relations with them, the U.S. expert on Central Asia Bruce Pannier believes. READ MORE
Romney foreign policy: How different from Obama's?

Under President Obama, the US has 'led from behind,' Mitt Romney said Monday. He vowed that as president he would use US power to shape world events, instead of simply reacting to them. READ MORE
“New Silk Road”: Connecting Center and South of Asia with One Thread

Withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan by the end of 2014 and related with it regrouping of military forces of the USA made the initiative of promotion of plans on new interstate configurations within the area from Central to South Asia topical in Washington. Since the middle of 2011, when the terms of troop’s withdrawal from Afghanistan were finally confirmed, the Department of State has started objective lobbying of the project “New Silk Road”. The given project claims to be conceptual in the issue of the future of the region through the prism of strategic interests of the USA. READ MORE
Kazakhstan, Russia to develop new agreement on good neighborhood and strategic partnership in 2013

Kazakhstan and Russia will develop new agreement on good neighborhood and strategic partnership in 2013. Such decision was taken at a meeting of Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Kazakh counterpart Nursultan Nazarbayev in Moscow on Tuesday, Kazakh presidential press-service reported. READ MORE
Asylum for Escaped Speculators

How many escaped criminals, who are not subjected to extradition, from the former USSR states hide in London? Even if there is the slightest hint on that wanted criminals can follow noble objectives of democratic development, they are announced dissidents , and criminal cases become politically motivated pursuit. But not everyone can be protected by British democracy and gain precious indulgence. This way wasn’t lucky a famous journalist, the founder of Wikileaks Julian Assange. Chasing of this person has turned into farce, vulgar performance, where spectators are observed as naïve simpletons. READ MORE
Rogun damage to Uzbekistan estimated at $600 million — US experts

Expert studies of the University of North Dakota State University in the United States estimated that the annual expense of Rogun HPP in Tajikistan evaluated for Uzbekistan in the amount of $ 600 million. READ MORE
Kazakhstan Struggles to Contain Salafist-Inspired Terrorism

Kazakhstan has experienced a rise in militant activity carried out by Salafist groups on its territory and periphery since late 2011. READ MORE