Central Eurasia: New Faultlines With Global Implications

Central Eurasia: New Faultlines With Global Implications, Summer 2007

In this issue of TPQ we explore energy, security, con fl ict management, democratization, and state-building in the context of Central Eurasia. Drawing upon the framework and spirit of the ARI Movement’s 9th International Security Conference, a particular effort has been made to provide a platform for voices from the region. As always, this contributes to a deeper understanding of the divergences of perception that shape the politics and cultural paradigms...

Nigâr Göksel | 05 September 2007

NATO's Role in Afghanistan, Summer 2007

As the Former NATO Senior Civilian Representative for Afghanistan, Hikmet Çetin clarifies NATO’s role in Afghanistan. He describes the social and economic problems that are intertwined with the security challenges and highlights the ongoing collaboration with the Afghan government, neighboring countries and NATO Partners in this complex effort. Çetin shares his insights as to how misperceptions about NATO’s mission can be overcome and concludes by underlining that NATO...

Hikmet Çetin | 05 September 2007

The Muslim World and Darfur, Summer 2007

Providing an outline of Sudan’s domestic dynamics and international engagement in recent years, the author makes the case that the Muslim world should play an active role in the situation of Darfur. So far, hundreds of thousands of Darfurian Muslims have been killed and 2.5 million have been displaced. By characterizing the slaughter in the South as a “war in the defense of Islam” and the war in Darfur as “a war in defense of Arab identity,” Khartoum has driven a...

Amjad Atallah | 05 September 2007

The Russian Federation as an Energy Supplier, Summer 2007

Explaining why Russian authorities are flexing their muscles towards the West and the policy options Russia faces in the energy sector, the author asserts that Turkey is increasingly central in securing Europe’s energy supply. He points out that the EU needs a common energy policy that takes diversification into account and that Central Asia needs more options to carry its energy resources to world markets...

Suat Akgün | 05 September 2007

Turkey’s Energy Ambitions Clash with Russian Succession Politics, Summer 2007

The Caspian Basin is increasingly at the center of international energy competi-tion. Turkey aspires to enhance its chances of joining the European Union and increase its credentials as a regional power by making itself into a critical energyhub for oil and gas fl owing from the former USSR to world markets. Russia, Eu-rope’s major energy supplier and in control of major transport networks, is rak-ing in huge profi ts and using its dominance in the international energy sector...

Donald N. Jensen | 05 September 2007

Russia as a Black Sea Power, Summer 2007

The author highlights Russia’s determination to exploit its advantages in the sphere of energy for increased global power and argues that the West needs to match this determination with clear support for countries like Ukraine and Georgia that are vulnerable. He points out that offering such countries clear prospects for membership in NATO and the EU would render Russia with no choice but to integrate with Europe. Without increased involvement of the EU in the Black Sea region, he warns,...

Stephen Blank | 05 September 2007

Ninth Nuclear Power: Iran's Ambitions in the Middle East and Beyond, Summer 2007

Iran is feared because of the nature of the Islamic Republican system. This system does not limit itself to the geographic boundaries of Iran, but has a far grander vision. The fear is compounded when that vision has been substantiated with Iranian proxies in countries as far away as Argentina and as close as Iraq. The fear becomes more than just a transitory threat if or when Ahmadinejad’s declaration that his country is the world’s ninth nuclear state is realized. An Iran armed...

Amin Tarzi | 05 September 2007

The Case of Iran: Will Nuclear Finlandization be Averted?, Summer 2007

The author, based on discussions that took place at the ARI Movement’s annual security conference in June 2007, expresses strong conviction that a nuclear-armed Iran posses great threat to world peace. He points out the parallels between Hitler’s Germany and Ahmadinejad’s Iran, emphasizing that the policy of appeasement toward Germany before World War II lingers today in the face of great risk for tomorrow...

Joel Sprayregen | 05 September 2007

Iran Foreign Policy towards Iraq and Syria, Summer 2007

This paper investigates the roots of Iranian foreign policy toward Iraq and Syria after the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Because of its geo-strategic location, political-cultural characteristics and energy sources, Iran is a pivotal state in shaping the international politics of the Middle East. Since the September 11th events, Iran has increasingly had impact on the issues such as regional crises in Afghanistan, Iraq and Lebanon as well as the war against global...

Kayhan Barzegar | 05 September 2007

Turkey's Iraq Policy, Summer 2007

The question, ultimately, weighing on the minds of many U.S. policy makers and strategists is whether a convergence can be found, if at all possible, between Turkish national interests, its government’s Islamist tinge, and U.S. regional interests, particularly when it comes to that salient centerpiece dominating the geopolitical conversation of the region, if not the world: Iraq...

Oubai M. Shahbandar | 05 September 2007

NATO in Central Asia: In Search of Regional Harmony, Summer 2007

The events in Andijon in May 2005 precipitated a signifi cant deterioration of relations between Central Asian republics and the West, while at the same time enhancing Russian and Chinese positions in the region. Enhancing Western position in the region will require a more coordinated and systematic approach, as well as a transparent policy implementation process. NATO should serve as primary vehicle in building deeper ties with the region. Furthermore NATO should explore possibilities for...

Katja Gersak | 05 September 2007

Shanghai Cooperation Organization and Prospect of Development in the Eurasia Region, Summer 2007

The authors outline the recent evolution and current framework of the SCO, stating that it is not an antagonistic security alliance as some in the West perceive it to be. Instead, they argue, it should be seen as a vehicle for increasing economic and social prosperity in the region. It is pointed out that the rhetoric of human rights preached by Europe and the U.S. backfires in the region, heightening a sense of threat. That the SCO can play a central role in stabilizing Afghanistan is...

Prajakti Kalra & Siddharth S. Saxena | 05 September 2007

The 2007 Parliamentary Elections in Kazakhstan: Results and Prospects, Summer 2007

This article focuses on the political reform ongoing in Kazakhstan and the elections which took place in August 2007. The authors argue that democratization and positive change is underway and the failure of the opposition parties in the recent elections was largely a result of their lack of progressive ideas and emphasis on merely attacking authorities. The authors conclude that, unlike many observersfrom abroad think, Kazakhstan will benefit most from the stability that the current single...

Marian Abisheva & Timur Shaimergenov | 05 September 2007

Uzbekistan: Lessons from the Field, Summer 2007

The post–communist transition of Central Asia has been different from Eastern Europe. Two decades after the main swing to democracy has substantially changed the heart of Europe, Central Asian countries still seem somewhat frightened and hesitant to join the train of progress and democratization. What are the main internal and external reasons for this difference? Authors representing one of the two remaining U.S.-funded non governmental organizations engaged in democracy building on the...

Mjusa Sever & Fazil Khasanov | 05 September 2007

Central Eurasia: New Faultlines With Global ImplicationsVol. 6 No. 2 - Summer 2007

Central Eurasia: New Faultlines With Global Implications
Vol. 6 No. 2 - Summer 2007