Nursultan Nazarbayev. Photo Credit: kazinform. By: Kristina Drye, Columnist On March 19, 2019 the President of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev, announced that he would be resigning his position immediately. The unexpected move has cast doubt on Kazakhstan’s future. After serving as the country’s president for the past 30 years, there is hope that Nazarbayev’s resignation will … Continue reading Does Nursultan Nazarbayev’s Exit Mean Change for Kazakhstan?
Category: South & Central Asia
Could Pakistan Provoke a Nuclear War?
The U.S. should prioritize Pakistan as a nuclear threat as the country's' nuclear arsenal continues to rapidly grow as a deterrent from India aggression while Pakistani affiliated terrorist organizations raise the chances of a conflict. Photo Credit: Reuters. By: Adrienne Thompson, Columnist Pakistan's nuclear arsenal remains exposed to terrorist organizations holding anti-western sentiments as Pakistan's … Continue reading Could Pakistan Provoke a Nuclear War?
Radicalization in Central Asia: A Thorny and Enduring Problem
A traveler on the M41 road (also called Pamir highway), crossing the Pamir plateau in Tajikistan. Photo Credit: Getty Images By: Christine Bang-Andersen, Columnist The truck attacks in Stockholm and New York in 2017 and the attack on Western tourists on a bike trip across Tajikistan this summer all served as stark reminders of ongoing … Continue reading Radicalization in Central Asia: A Thorny and Enduring Problem
Pakistan’s Bailout Request: A Unique Strategic Opportunity for the United States and India
Chinese President Xi Jinping meets Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Photo Credit: Reuters By: Felipe Herrera, Columnist On October 15th, China’s Minister of International Development Song Tao met with Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan and announced Beijing’s support for Khan’s ‘New Pakistan’ initiative, a key … Continue reading Pakistan’s Bailout Request: A Unique Strategic Opportunity for the United States and India
Peace for India-Pakistan and the Case for Reformed Multilateralism
Opening of the 73rd Session of the General Assembly. Photo Credit: UN By: Shruthi Rajkumar, Columnist As the 73rd UN General Assembly (UNGA) session unfolds, so does a familiar but fatigued drama of India-Pakistan animosity with insults, counter-insults, and a bitter rehashing of pointed fingers over the “terrorism” and “Kashmir” stalemate-inducing cards. It is imperative for … Continue reading Peace for India-Pakistan and the Case for Reformed Multilateralism
Cycles of Violence in Myanmar: Is There Anything the International Community Can Do?
By: Mei Lim, Columnist Photo by: VOA Despite international opprobrium heaped on the Myanmar government for its treatment of the ethnic Rohingya minority in the country’s northern Rakhine state, cycles of violence in the region are likely to continue. The violence in the Rakhine state has largely been carried out by Myanmar’s military – the … Continue reading Cycles of Violence in Myanmar: Is There Anything the International Community Can Do?
Post-Karimov Reform in Uzbekistan: Illusion or Reality?
By: Will Chim, Columnist Photo by: Asia Times For two and half decades, the words “Uzbekistan” and “Karimov” were inextricable – one could not discuss the Central Asian country without mentioning its brutal leader. But since Uzbekistani President Islam Karimov’s death in 2017 after 25 years of rule, many are wondering what comes next. For … Continue reading Post-Karimov Reform in Uzbekistan: Illusion or Reality?
Is a Russian Invasion of Kazakhstan on the Horizon?
By: Alexander Begej, Columnist Photo by: Presidential Press and Information Office, Kremlin President Vladimir Putin’s popularity in Russia is not nearly as strong as it once was. Though Putin will unquestionably win the 2018 presidential election in March, civilian unrest can soon graduate to a regime threatening uprising if it is not kept in check … Continue reading Is a Russian Invasion of Kazakhstan on the Horizon?
Sri Lanka: A Story of China’s Consolidation and India’s Haste
By: Husanjot Chahal, Columnist Photo Credit: NewsInAsia On November 21, 2017, Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe arrived in India for a three-day visit.[i] The visit marked the eighth interaction between Indian and Sri Lankan heads of state since 2015—suggesting vigorous high-level political engagement. Expediting decisions on joint projects and “solving the problems that have … Continue reading Sri Lanka: A Story of China’s Consolidation and India’s Haste
Peace and Security in India: A Conversation with AVM Arjun Subramaniam
By: Gregory Niguidula, Reporter Photo Credit: GoodReads On October 27, 2017, the Mortara Center welcomed Air Vice Marshal Arjun Subramaniam (ret). AVM Subramaniam gave a talk, hosted by the Georgetown India Initiative and moderated by Dr. C. Christine Fair of the Georgetown Security Studies Program. Dr. Fair introduced AVM Subramaniam as a rare individual who … Continue reading Peace and Security in India: A Conversation with AVM Arjun Subramaniam