Central Asia

Eurasian politics and foreign policy are highly influenced by the region’s critical geography at the nexus of Russia, China, South Asia, and the Middle East. Central Asian countries play a fundamental role as the crossroads of trade between the West and Asia—the result being significant economic development, especially in the sectors of energy and natural resources. CSIS experts explore moves toward reform and democracy, alongside remaining prevalence of corruption and human rights issues since the actualization of regional independence in 1991.

Photo: iuneWind/Adobe Stock

Photo: iuneWind/Adobe Stock

Ten Years of C5+1: U.S.–Central Asia Minerals Cooperation

Amid a changing donor landscape, the United States has an opportunity to realign and leverage its full range of financing tools to promote economic growth abroad while safeguarding its national security interests.

Commentary by Gracelin Baskaran and Kamal Aubakirov — November 4, 2025

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Experts

Max Bergmann

Max Bergmann

Director, Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program and Stuart Center
Seth G. Jones

Seth G. Jones

President, Defense and Security Department; Harold Brown Chair
Benjamin Jensen

Benjamin Jensen

Director, Futures Lab and Senior Fellow, Defense and Security Department

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Ten Years of C5+1: U.S.–Central Asia Minerals Cooperation

Amid a changing donor landscape, the United States has an opportunity to realign and leverage its full range of financing tools to promote economic growth abroad while safeguarding its national security interests.

Commentary by Gracelin Baskaran and Kamal Aubakirov — November 4, 2025

Fueling the Future: Recommendations for Strengthening U.S. Uranium Security

While the United States led global uranium production from 1953 to the 1980s, this dominance has declined over time. Currently, dependence on foreign adversaries for uranium poses a significant risk to U.S. nuclear supply chains, impacting both energy and defense.

Brief by Gracelin Baskaran and Meredith Schwartz — February 5, 2025

The Future of Assistance for Afghanistan: A Dilemma

Three years after the fall of Kabul, international assistance for Afghanistan is at a crossroads. As donor fatigue sets in and aid dwindles, stakeholders must grapple with how to address the country’s critical humanitarian needs without legitimizing the Taliban’s rule.

Report by Daniel F. Runde, Annie Pforzheimer, Thomas Bryja, and Caroline Smutny — June 13, 2024

Pekingology

Chinese Influence through Technical Standardization Power

Jude Blanchette is joined by Tim Rühlig, Research Fellow in the Technology and Global Affairs Program at the German Council on Foreign Relations, to discuss his recent paper. 

Podcast Episode by Jude Blanchette — September 29, 2022

CSIS Pekingology
The Trade Guys

One of These Things is NOT Like the Other

This week, Scott and Bill talk about export controls and technology transfers to China. Then, they tee up what to anticipate in terms of trade policy in the fall in Washington.

Podcast Episode by Scott Miller and William Alan Reinsch — August 18, 2022

CSIS The Trade Guys
Building the Future: Freedom, Prosperity, and Foreign Policy with Dan Runde

The Fight Against Forced Labor in Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan with the Cotton Campaign

In this episode of Building the Future, Dan Runde is joined by Bennett Freeman and Allison Gill from the Cotton Campaign, a coalition of human rights NGOs, independent trade unions, brand associations, responsible investors, and academics, united to end forced labor in cotton production.

Podcast Episode by Daniel F. Runde — June 15, 2022

CSIS Building the Future