How central is Central Asia? MECACS Seminar Series Event via MS Teams

How Central is Central Asia?

Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Central Asia has gained increased international attention. Over the past two years, the leaders of the five Central Asian states have participated in numerous multilateral summits in the 5+1 format, engaging with the USA, the EU, China, Russia, India, and the Gulf Cooperation Council. Bilateral relations have also come to the forefront, as seen in recent visits by French President Macron and German Chancellor Scholz to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Central Asia's strategic importance, particularly in relation to transport routes and critical minerals, has been a key focus in these discussions. This talk will examine the recent developments in Central Asia's international relations and assess the sustainability of this heightened international attention.

Shairbek Dzhuraev
Shairbek Dzhuraev is the co-founder and president of Crossroads Central Asia and a visiting lecturer at the OSCE Academy in Bishkek. He holds PhD in International Relations from the University of St Andrews and MSc in International Relations from the London School of Economic and Political Science (LSE). His areas of expertise encompass international relations, domestic politics and foreign policy linkages, and water and energy issues in the region.

Previously, Shairbek was the Deputy Director at the OSCE Academy in Bishkek and the Dean of Academic Development at the American University of Central Asia. He has taught International Relations, Foreign Policy Analysis, Central Asian Politics, Russia and Central Asia, and the US and Central Asia. Shairbek is a member of PONARS Eurasia and serves in advisory groups for the EU-Central Asia Monitoring and the European Neighbourhood Council.

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