Kazakhstan

The hydropower project in Kyrgyzstan has tapped into the region’s thirst for cooperation.

Due to global turmoil, the importance of the Middle Corridor has grown exponentially. However, the Caspian Sea continues to pose a significant obstacle to the realization of the corridor’s economic potential.

Allowing the Caspian Sea to succumb to industrial exploitation and climate-induced desiccation would be an irreversible tragedy.

To meet its own investment targets and decarbonize its economy, the Tokayev administration needs to fully commit to its economic program in 2025.

Despite similar interests and ambitions, China’s economic presence in the region outweighs India’s.

While over 30 security and law enforcement officials have been convicted for abuse during Bloody January, the number remains low compared to the scale of violations.

How did I do on my outlook for Central Asia 2024? 

The septuagenarian space port proves as reliable as ever, but geopolitics and funding mean that its future at the forefront of space exploration is far from guaranteed.

Russia’s substitution of VEB.RF with an under-the-radar firm is helping the country and its neighbors find a way around Western sanctions.

Central Asia’s evolving geopolitical role is not just about balancing external actors; it is about leveraging these partnerships to pursue their own national and elite interests. 

A planned oil pipeline could gain momentum given the uncertainty around routes through Russia.