Editorial Principles

The Central Asia-Caucasus Analyst is an English language global Web journal devoted to analysis of the current issues facing the Central Asia-Caucasus region. It serves to link the business, governmental, journalistic and scholarly communities and is the global voice of the Central Asia-Caucasus Institute & Silk Road Studies Program, a Joint Research and Policy Center affiliated with the American Foreign Policy Council and the Institute for Security and Development Policy.

The Editor of the Analyst solicits most articles, however authors may suggest topics for future issues or submit articles for consideration. Such articles cannot have been previously published in any form, must be written in English, and must correspond precisely to the format and style of articles published in The Analyst and described below.

The Analyst aims to provide our industrious and engaged audience with a singular and reliable assessment of events and trends in the region written in an analytical tone rather than a polemical one. Analyst articles reflect the fact that we have a diverse international audience. While this should not affect what authors write about or their conclusions, this does affect the tone of articles. Analyst articles focus on a newsworthy topic, engage central issues of the latest breaking news from the region and are backed by solid evidence. Articles should normally be based on local language news sources.

Each 1,200-1,400 word analytical article must offer a concise and authoritative statement of the event or issue in question. An article must provide relevant, precise and authoritative background information. It also must offer a sober and analytical judgment of the issue as well as a clinical evaluation of the importance of the event. Authors must cite facts of controversial nature to the Editor who may contact other experts to confirm claims. Since Analyst articles are based on solid evidence, rather than rumors or conjecture, they prove to be reliable sources of information on the region. By offering balanced and objective analysis while keeping clear of inflammatory rhetoric, The Analyst does more to inform our international readership on all sides of the issues.

The Editor reserves the right to edit the article to conform to the editorial policy and specifications of The Analyst and to reject the article should it not be acceptable to our editorial committee for publication. On acceptance and publication of the edited version of the article, The Central Asia-Caucasus Institute will issue the honorarium to the author. The copyright for the article will reside with the Central Asia-Caucasus Analyst. However, the author may use all or part of the contracted article in any book or article in any media subsequently written by the author, provided that a copyright notice appears giving reference to the contracted article's first publication by the "Central Asia-Caucasus Analyst, Central Asia-Caucasus Institute & Silk Road Studies Program Joint Center."

Analytical Articles:

Analytical articles require a three to four sentence introduction to the article based on a news hook. Rather than a general, overarching analysis, the article must offer considered and careful judgment supported with concrete examples. Analytical article structure: Ideal length between 1200 and 1400 words.

KEY ISSUE: A short 100-word statement of your conclusions about the issue or news event on which the article focuses.
BACKGROUND: 300-400 words of analysis about what has led up to the event or issue and why this issue is critical to the region. Include background information about the views and experiences of the local population.
IMPLICATIONS: 400-600 words of analysis of the ramifications of this event or issue, including where applicable, implications for the future.
CONCLUSIONS: 100-200 words that strongly state your conclusions about the impact of the event or issue.  AUTHOR'S BIO: provide a short bio of yourself in 20-50 words.                                                                               

Those interested in joining The Analyst's pool of authors to contribute articles, or contacts of potential writers, please send your CV to the editors and suggest some topics on which you would like to write.

Svante E. Cornell, Editor ( This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. )
Niklas Nilsson, Associate Editor
Central Asia-Caucasus Analyst
Central Asia-Caucasus Institute
American Foreign Policy Council
Central Asia-Caucasus Institute
509 C st NE
Washington DC 20002