This joint report by Hamza Boltaev and Nargiza Umarova co-authored with Mukhit Assanbayev (Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan) argues that Kazakhstan and Uzbekis

This policy brief by Aziza Mukhammedova and co-author Jalal Ud Din Kakar situates the debate over the Bagram Air Base within the post-withdrawal landscape of Afghanistan. Four years after the U.S. exit, President Donald Trump’s 2025 remarks about “tak

In an interview with the UzA news agency, Hamza Boltaev systematically comments on Uzbekistan’s initiatives to ensure stability and development in Afghanistan. First and foremost, he emphasizes the importance of the “Termez Dialogue” in strengthening re

A recent article by Aziza Mukhammedova, Leading Research Fellow at IAIS, co-authored with Dr. Farhana Qazi and Halima Nasiri, offers a comprehensive analysis of Afghanistan’s potential pathways toward stability.

The recent trilateral meeting of the foreign ministers of China, Pakistan, and Afghanistan in Kabul was a significant event in regional diplomacy. Organized by China, the meeting aimed to reduce tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan and promote regional stability and economic cooperation, par

By Bobur Mingyasharov

In August 2025, the US Department of State designated the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and its sub-unit, the Majid Brigade, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). Additionally, the Majid Briga

By Mirjalol Murtozaev

The meeting of the foreign ministers of Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan held in Kabul on July 17, 2025, marks an important turning point on the path of regional infrastructure d

By Shokhruzbek Gulmetov

The Iran-Israel confrontation has evolved beyond a regional dispute, drawing close attention from the wider international community. In response to recent developments, major global players have taken clear positions, reflecting thei

As Dr. Gafarov notes, Russia’s formal recognition of the Taliban government on 3 July 2025 marks a significant turning point in the international community’s approach to Afghanistan. Unlike the Taliban’s first period in power (1996–2001), the curr

By Mirjalol Murtozaev

On July 3, 2025, within the framework of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Summit held in the city of Khankendi, Azerbaijan, a historic high-level meeting

By Dr. Mahfuz Parvez

Professor and Chair of the Department of Political Science at the University of Chittagong and the Executive Director of the Chittagong Center for Regional Studies, Bangladesh (CCRSBD)

Since reclaiming power in 2021, the Taliban

Dr. Islomkhon Gafarov appeared as a guest on the Studio 24 program on Uzbekistan 24 TV channel. During the program, he analyzed the integration processes between the countries of Central Asia, positive changes in regional politics, and issues of

By Sanjarbek Tilavoldiev

On June 30 and July 1 of this year, another meeting on the Afghan issue took place in the Qatari capital, Doha, under the auspices of the United Nations. It is worth noting that

In a recent interview with Geopolitika Norge, Dr. Akram Umarov discussed Uzbekistan’s foreign policy vision, its strategic priorities, and the value of international academic partnerships. He emphasized Uzbekistan’s growing role as a

In the Paradigma.uz studio, Dr. Islomkhon Gafarov analyzed the event that is to cause a sharp turn in international politics. In an interview, the political scientist commented on the geopolitical goals behind Russia's official recognition of the Taliban, the possible re

French geopolitical edition CONFLITS Revue de Géopolitique has republished the policy brief by Dr. Islomkhon Gafarov and IAIS volunteer Bositkhon Islamov. The brief was originally published on

By Fayoziddin Bakhriddinov

It is becoming increasingly clear that Tashkent is taking a more pragmatic approach in its relations with war-torn, Taliban-ruled Afghanistan, which remains unrecognized by much of the international community. Thi

In his detailed policy brief for The Diplomat, Dr. Islomkhon Gafarov analyses the subtle yet strategic evolution of Russia’s policy toward Taliban-ruled Afghanistan. Rather than treating Afghanistan as a traditional conflict zone, Moscow increasingly views

In their latest article, published in Oxford University Press’s International Affairs  Journal, Dr. Akram Umarov and Prof. Timur Dadabaev examine the underlying logic and features of the newly emerging centra

The year 2025 marked a new chapter in Russia-Afghanistan relations. On April 17, the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation officially removed the Taliban from its list of terrorist organizations. In May and June, business forums were held in Kazan and St. Petersburg, resulting in expanded acces

As Dr. Islomkhon Gafarov and Bositkhon Islamov argue in their policy brief on Geopolitika.no, the evolving dynamics between Afghanistan and Pakistan

In his latest policy brief, Dr Islomkhon Gafarov provides a detailed assessment of how the Taliban are recalibrating Afghanistan’s mineral wealth as a strategic diplomatic instrument. Faced with the collapse of international aid, asset freezes, and the dismantling

Dr Islomkhon Gafarov and Mr Hamza Boltaev’s brief argues that, despite its frequent portrayal as a game-changer linking Central and South Asia, the Termez–Mazar-i-Sharif–Kabul–Peshawar railway remains more myth than reali

The policy brief by Dr Islomkhon Gafarov and Bobur Mingyasharov begins by situating China’s triangular diplomacy between Islamabad and Kabul within the framework of its Global Security Initiative (GSI), which emphasises cooperative securit

On 21–22 May, Dr Akram Umarov, First Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs at the University of World Economy and Diplomacy (UWED) and Director of the Institute for Advanced International Studies (IAIS), took part in the prestigious Asian Leadership Conferen

The policy brief by Islomkhon Gafarov, Hamza Boltaev, and Bobur Mingyasharov, published on The Diplomat, provides an incisive analysis of Uzbekistan’s evolving policy towards Afghanistan under Taliban rul

Another interview published on the Paradigma.uz platform discussed the likelihood of further escalation of the Kashmir conflict against the backdrop of successive regional wars in the 20s of the 21st century. First the large-scale war between Russia and Ukraine and then the conflicts between Isra

In his new policy brief, Dr. Islomkhon Gafarov explores the shifting contours of American foreign policy toward Afghanistan. He presents a nuanced periodization of U.S. engagement, tracing four evolving phases that reflect Washington’s strategic ambiguity, internal

The article by Dr. Islomkhon Gafarov has attracted considerable attention, having been shared by 12 Pakistani media and analytical sources — an indication of its growing relevance in the discourse on regional connectivity and strategic cooperation between Central a

In the current geopolitical environment, the Afghan issue is once again at the center of attention of the international community. Political views on how to interpret this state, its place and role are becoming increasingly complex. The international community is endeavoring to form new informati

In their incisive policy brief, Islomkhon Gafarov and IAIS volunteers Bobur Mingyasharov and Bositkhon Islamov provide a structured and comprehensive analysis of the latest and most severe escalation in India-Pakistan t

In an interview devoted to an in-depth analysis of international relations and geopolitical threats, Hamza Boltaev, Head of the Centre for Afghanistan and South Asian Studies at IAIS, offered important insights into the sources of tension in the region. The interview als

In his latest policy brief, Dr. Islomkhon Gafarov presents a layered analysis of Washington’s shifting strategies toward Afghanistan following the return of the Taliban to power. He outlines four key stages in U.S. policy — ranging from counterterrorism to po

Shokhrukh Saidov, member of the IAIS Volunteers Club, in his commentary on Kazakhstan’s recent engagement with Afghanistan, argues that the official visit of Deputy Prime Minister Serik Zhumangarin to Kabul from April 21 to 23 marks a significant recalibration of A

In his commentary, Miraziz Masharipov, member of the IAIS Volunteers Club, argues that international relations today are being fundamentally reshaped by growing power polarization, creating a more chaotic and unstable world order. He explains that the traditional global

In April 2025, the Government of Pakistan launched an initiative titled the “Return to Homeland,” which was characterized by the Taliban administration as an act of “forced deportation.” As a result, nearly

On 17 April 2025, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar visited Dhaka, Bangladesh, and held talks with her counterpart, Bangladesh’s Foreign Secretary Jashim Uddin. Thi

Dr. Islomkhon Gafarov, Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Afghanistan and South Asian Studies, gave an interview to Afghanistan International TV (AITV), an independent news outlet based in London and Washington. In his remarks, Dr. Gafarov

On April 17, the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation suspended the ban on the activities of the Taliban movement within the country. By this decision, Russia officially removed the Taliban from its list of terrorist

The book “John Fitzgerald Kennedy” by Islomkhon Gafarov, Senior Researcher at the Institute for Advanced International Studies, is presented to your attention.

This book provides information about the politics, life pat

The book “General President Eisenhower” by Islomkhon Gafarov, a senior researcher at the Institute for Advanced International Studies.

This work is devoted to the life and political activity of the American general and

In Kun.uz’s Geopolitics, Head of the Centre for Afghanistan and South Asia Studies Hamza Boltaev and Senior Research Fellow Dr. Islomkhon Gafarov discussed relations between the US and the Taliban, the West’s approach to Afg

The authors, Hamza Boltaev and Dr. Islomkhon Gafarov, argue that Uzbekistan’s evolving strategy towards Northern Afghanistan is driven by pragmatic economic and geopolitical considerations. They state that Tashkent has moved beyond a tradi

Dr. Islomkhon Gafarov, Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Afghanistan and South Asian Studies, and Junior Research Fellow Bobur Mingyasharov state that Russia’s growing influence in Afghanistan is a strategic shift shaped by both geo

Mirjalol Murtozaev is a Junior Research Fellow at the Centre for Afghanistan and South Asian Studies

From 11 to 13 March 2025, the official state visit of the President of Uzbekistan to France marked a significant milestone in bilateral relations, fostering coopera

Prepared under the supervision of Hamza Boltaev and Islomkhon Gafarov, this policy brief by Samandar Soliev, IAIS junior research fellow, explores the broader implications of Abdukodir Khusanov’s transfer to Manch

The commentary is prepared under the supervision of the Center for Afghanistan and South Asian Studies

In his recent commentary, Firdavs Azimkulov, a research intern at IAIS, discusses the evolving relationship between Uzbekistan and Afgh

Dr. Islomkhon Gafarov, in his report “Neighbourhood Perspectives: Security Situation in Afghanistan – Implications for Central Asia, Europe, and Global Stability”, supported by Friedrich Naumann Foundation (Germany), e

In a recent analysis in Kun.uz, Hamza Boltaev, Head of the Centre for Afghanistan and South Asian Studies, and Senior Research Fellow Islomkhon Gafarov argue that the recent Munich Security Conference signified a major shift in the global order,

In his article Dr. Islomkhon Gafarov analyses the persistent challenges the Taliban faces in securing international recognition, despite having controlled Afghanistan for over three years. The author states that internal divisions within the Taliban, particularly the pow

In the latest edition of the International Arena podcast, Dr Islomkhon Gafarov, Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Afghanistan and South Asian Studies, elaborated on the relationship between processes in Afghanistan and global security. In his interview, he emphasi

The issue of Uzbekistan’s interaction with the Taliban in the context of the transfer of US helicopters to the Afghan people remains a matter of diplomatic calculations. As Dr Islomkhon Gafarov, senior research fellow at the Centre for Afghanistan and South Asian S

During his appearance on the International View programme of Uzbekistan 24 TV channel, Dr Islomkhon Gafarov, senior research fellow at the Centre for Afghanistan and South Asian Studies, analyzed the outcome of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the Uni

In his article, Islomkhon Gafarov analyzes the strategic approaches of Russia and China to the integration of Central and South Asia. As noted in the work, the interconnectedness of these regions is gaining increasing importance on the geopolitical agenda, with Russia an

The authors, Azizjon Ziyodullaev, Sajina Rai, Ogabek Norkulov, and Islomkhon Gafarov, in

This policy brief, supported by the PeaceNexus Foundation and co-authored by Hamza Boltaev, Head of the Centre for Afghanistan and South Asian Studies, offers an in-depth analysis of regional non-governmental initiatives in Central Asia. The stu

In November 2024, Dr. Islomkhon Gafarov, Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Afghanistan and South Asian Studies, received his Ph.D. in political science, having successfully defended his dissertation on Modern Foreign Policy of the USA in South Asia (in the case of

In 2023-2024 the Center for Afghanistan and South Asian Studies, in sponsorship with S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore), has conducted a detailed study to analyse the prevalence and

Dr. Islomkhon Gafarov’s article, published in Oriental Studies, a peer-reviewed academic journal by the Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies, provides a comprehensive analysis of the foreign policy strategies of Russia and China concerning the