Field Reports
ASTANA AND BISHKEK VOW TO RENEW THE OLD FRIENDSHIP
By Marat Yermukanov (5/4/2005 issue of the CACI Analyst)
Acting president of Kyrgyzstan Kurmanbek Bakiev’s April 22 visit to Almaty did not and could not make a front-page story in Kazakhstan’s media. Not only because of his present ambiguous official rank, but also because he came to Almaty humbly seeking assistance to restore the paralyzed economy of his country, in what looked like a visit of a poor nephew to a rich uncle. Nursultan Nazarbayev treated his Kyrgyz guest in a condescending manner, generously dishing out everything Kurmanbek Bakiev asked for: grain, diesel oil and lubricants, aviation fuel and promises of huge Kazakh investments in Kyrgyzstan’s economy.FIRST MEETING OF ‘CENTRAL ASIA + JAPAN’ INITIATIVE HELD IN TASHKENT
By Atabek Rizayev (5/4/2005 issue of the CACI Analyst)
In August 2004, Japan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Yoriko Kawaguchi met his Central Asian counterparts in Kazakhstan. At this meeting the future format of the new initiative “Central Asia + Japan” also took shape. The Japanese use the analogy of the “ASEAN + Japan” initiative.NEW AUTHORITIES BLAME AKAYEV’S RULE FOR ECONOMIC DOWNFALL AND CORRUPTION
By Aziz Soltobaev (5/4/2005 issue of the CACI Analyst)
For the first years of Kyrgyzstan’s sovereignty, Askar Akayev conducted reforms in a transparent manner for civil society and once was marked as a ‘Jefferson of Central Asia’. In 1998, Akayev’s leadership took gradual step toward setting up an authoritarian regime following the example of neighboring countries. Corruption in the state system became an aggravating factor, as bribes and abuse of office penetrated to all branches of power.CONFERENCE HELD ON THE “REVOLUTION” IN KYRGYZSTAN
By Dariya Alieva (4/20/2005 issue of the CACI Analyst)
The massive demonstrations first in the southern cities of Osh, Jalalabad and then the March 24 overthrow of Mr.Akaev’s 14-year rule took place quickly and was largely unexpected. The looting of almost all the major foreign and local supermarkets and stores in the night of the same day in Bishkek, with an estimated damage of US$100 mln, left the city in a difficult condition and the Bishkek residents bewildered.Visit also
Staff Publications
Silk Road Paper S. Frederick Starr, Greater Central Asia as A Component of U.S. Global Strategy, October 2024.
Analysis Laura Linderman, "Rising Stakes in Tbilisi as Elections Approach," Civil Georgia, September 7, 2024.
Analysis Mamuka Tsereteli, "U.S. Black Sea Strategy: The Georgian Connection", CEPA, February 9, 2024.
Silk Road Paper Svante E. Cornell, ed., Türkiye's Return to Central Asia and the Caucasus, July 2024.
Book Svante E. Cornell, ed., "The Changing Geopolitics of Central Asia and the Caucasus" AFPC Press/Armin LEar, 2023.
Silk Road Paper Svante E. Cornell and S. Frederick Starr, Stepping up to the “Agency Challenge”: Central Asian Diplomacy in a Time of Troubles, July 2023.
Silk Road Paper S. Frederick Starr, U.S. Policy in Central Asia through Central Asian Eyes, May 2023.