Field Reports
THE FIRST KYRGYZ OMBUDSMAN IS TO OVERTHROW LOCAL OFFICIALS
By Aijan Baltabaeva (4/23/2003 issue of the CACI Analyst)
Some local observers doubt that Tursunbay Bakir uulu is powerful enough to realize his ambitious ideas. Law granted him access to any documents, even those top secret, and to cabinets of state officials, including the President, the right to participate in governmental meetings, etc. But that’s it.TURKMENISTAN: HISTORIC PACT SIGNED WITH RUSSIA
By Chemen Durdiyeva (4/23/2003 issue of the CACI Analyst)
Turkmenistan, being one of the world’s most energy-rich countries, with an estimated fourth place in world natural gas reserves. According to estimates, Turkmenistan’s gas reserves are over 22 trillion cubic meters. The agreement signed between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkmenistan’s leader Saparmurad Niyazov states that Russia will purchase about 2 trillion cubic meters of Turkmen gas within twenty-five years at the price of $44 per thousand cubic meters.THE AZERBAIJAN OPPOSITION PREPARES FOR PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS
By Gulnara Ismailova (4/9/2003 issue of the CACI Analyst)
Presidential elections will most likely take place on October, 15 or October 17, 2003, according to the chairman of the Central Election Commission, Mazahir Panahov. A final decision will be taken after Parliament finally passes the revised electoral code. Meanwhile, the opposition camp is gradually accelerating the discussion of a candidates.KAZAKHSTAN YEAR IN RUSSIA: A PRELUDE TO UNBREAKABLE UNION?
By Marat Yermukanov (4/9/2003 issue of the CACI Analyst)
The opening of the Kazakhstan year in Russia was marked by a Kazakh gala show, presented at the prestigious Bolshoy Theatre in Moscow, which was later described as a great success. But, warm words on such occasions are one thing, and the real state of relations between Astana and Moscow another.The trade volume between Russia and Kazakhstan last year was around 5 billion tenge, which is considerably lower than in 2001.
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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.