Among the proceedings of the international conference on Afghanistan under the Taliban: Reactions of Neighboring Countries and Great Powers is an article by Rustam Makhmudov, leading research fellow at IAIS, written in co-authorship with Madina Abdullaeva, senior lecturer at the Department of Political Science, UWED, and Mushtariy Usmonova, research fellow at IAIS. The study analyses Afghanistan’s abundant natural resources and their significance in the emerging geopolitical context. The authors take a detailed look at strategically important deposits of copper, lithium and rare earth metals, whose combined value is estimated to be between $1 trillion and $3 trillion.   The article focuses on the growing interest of world powers, including China, India and Russia, in these resources and their role in competing for their exploitation. The authors focus on the challenges and opportunities facing Afghanistan, including lack of international recognition, sanctions and internal political barriers. It is noted that proper resource management and investment linkages can be key to the country’s economic recovery, opening up new opportunities for its integration into global economic processes.   Read and download the article (in Russian)   * The Institute for Advanced International Studies (IAIS) does not take institutional positions on any issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the IAIS.

The proceedings of the international conference on Afghanistan Under Taliban Rule: The Reaction of Neighboring Countries and Great Powers, held at the University of World Economy and Diplomacy with the assistance of the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation (Germany) in 2024, include an article by Rustam Makhmudov, a leading researcher at the Laboratory for Anthropology and Conflict Studies, devoted to the analysis of the Taliban’s socio-economic policy and the prospects for the modernisation of Afghanistan. The author examines in detail the economic situation in the country since the Taliban came to power in 2021, focusing on the sharp decline in GDP, the loss of Western financial aid and the complexities of the financial system.   The article highlights that the Taliban have made some progress in fighting corruption, stabilizing foreign trade and launching major infrastructure projects such as the Qosh Tepa Canal and the development of copper and oil deposits. However, the author argues that key challenges, including limited participation of women in economic life, poor governance and dependence on humanitarian aid, continue to impede Afghanistan’s sustainable development. Mr Makhmudov analyses the prospects for further economic growth in an environment dominated by extractive institutions and highlights the importance of international cooperation and investment to stabilize the country.   Read and download the article (in Russian)   * The Institute for Advanced International Studies (IAIS) does not take institutional positions on any issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the IAIS.

Nargiza Umarova highlights Uzbekistan’s modern policy of developing southern-oriented international transport corridors as a strategic response to disrupted northern routes due to the war in Ukraine. It discusses Uzbekistan’s prioritisation of trade diversification, particularly through the Trans-Afghan Corridor, Iran’s Chabahar port, and other multimodal routes. These initiatives are critical for achieving direct access to the Indian Ocean and connecting to promising markets in South Asia, the Middle East, and beyond.   A significant focus is on the proposed Trans-Afghan Railway, connecting Uzbekistan to Pakistan via Afghanistan. This route, expected to be operational by 2030, would reduce transit times drastically, making Uzbekistan a key hub for South Asia-China trade. However, security challenges and investment uncertainties in Afghanistan remain significant obstacles. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan’s collaboration with China on the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway and connections to Gwadar port in Pakistan also position it strategically within China’s Belt and Road Initiative.   The article also examines Uzbekistan’s engagement with Iranian transit routes, particularly the port of Chabahar, which is exempt from sanctions. This offers an alternative for exporting goods while reducing reliance on unstable Afghan transit. However, the sanctions regime against Iran poses logistical challenges for routes involving Bandar Abbas. The Central Asia-Persian Gulf corridor, though operational, faces similar hurdles due to the complexity and costs of multimodal transport.   In conclusion, Uzbekistan’s proactive approach to diversifying trade routes is not only aimed at overcoming its geographic limitations but also at fostering regional economic integration. The multiplier effects of these corridors are expected to benefit all of Central Asia, facilitating greater economic connectivity and development. However, the long-term success of these initiatives will depend on security, funding, and the resolution of geopolitical challenges.   Read the article on Connective Think’s website   * The Institute for Advanced International Studies (IAIS) does not take institutional positions on any issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the IAIS.

The article by Nargiza Umarova discusses Uzbekistan’s strategic role in enhancing transportation connectivity among Turkic states, focusing on its efforts to establish itself as a vital transit hub in Eurasia. The author highlights Uzbekistan’s proactive transport policy aimed at reducing high logistics costs, which currently constitute 60% of trade product costs due to the country’s lack of maritime access. To overcome these challenges, Uzbekistan leverages its geographical location and collaborates with neighbouring Turkic countries within the Organisation of Turkic States (OTS).   One of the key initiatives explored is the CASCA+ multimodal corridor connecting Central Asia, the South Caucasus, and Anatolia. This route provides an alternative to the Northern Corridor, disrupted by geopolitical tensions, and integrates Uzbekistan into a broader “Europe-China-Europe” supply chain. The corridor’s development, including preferential tariffs and seamless transit agreements, has already facilitated increased freight volumes, with plans to expand capacity to 23 million tonnes annually.   The article also underscores Uzbekistan’s focus on diversifying trade routes to Europe and the Middle East through collaborations such as the “China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan” railway and the “Turkey-Iran-Turkmenistan-Uzbekistan” railway. These projects aim to optimise transit times and costs, offering competitive alternatives to existing routes like the Trans-Caspian corridor. The inclusion of the Zangazur corridor and expanded cooperation with Azerbaijan and Turkey further highlights Uzbekistan’s commitment to regional logistics integration.   Overall, Nargiza Umarova concludes that Uzbekistan’s transport connectivity efforts not only address domestic economic challenges but also bolster the strategic objectives of the OTS. The country’s initiatives contribute to the economic growth of Central Asia, enhance the region’s trade capacity, and underscore the importance of cohesive Turkic partnerships in global transport networks.   Read and download the article (in Turkish)   * The Institute for Advanced International Studies (IAIS) does not take institutional positions on any issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the IAIS.

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 geopolitical and economic connectivity of Central and South Asia.   Dr. Gafarov begins by contextualising the importance of Central-South Asian connectivity, emphasising its pivotal role in Uzbekistan’s foreign policy and the broader Eurasian agenda. The author investigates the multifaceted dimensions of this connectivity, including the influence of external powers like Russia and China. Through a comparative methodology, he identifies the convergences and divergences in the strategic interests of these major Eurasian actors, exploring how their policies shape regional dynamics.   The article delves into Russia’s constructivist approach, which is rooted in concepts like Eurasianism. Russia utilises platforms such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) to bolster its regional influence. Moscow’s primary interest lies in the export of energy resources to South Asia while maintaining control over Central Asia’s economic and political integration. Dr. Gafarov highlights that while Russia supports major transport corridors like the International North-South Transport Corridor, it hesitates to embrace projects led by external powers that could dilute its regional dominance.   On the other hand, the author examines China’s strategic vision, which centres around its flagship Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). China integrates Central and South Asia into a coherent framework through projects such as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the C+C5 platform. Unlike Russia, Beijing’s approach is characterised by a focus on economic pragmatism and infrastructure development. However, it is noted that China’s policies largely exclude India from regional integration, reflecting underlying geopolitical rivalries.   Dr. Islomkhon Gafarov’s scholarly contribution lies in elucidating how these competing strategic frameworks influence Central-South Asian connectivity, offering nuanced insights into the interplay of regional cooperation and great power competition. The article serves as a valuable resource for policymakers and scholars exploring Eurasian geopolitics and regional integration processes.   Read and download the article here   * The Institute for Advanced International Studies (IAIS) does not take institutional positions on any issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the IAIS.

The Zangezur Corridor, emerging in the aftermath of the Second Karabakh War, is a transformative infrastructure project aimed at connecting Azerbaijan with its Nakhchivan exclave via Armenia’s Syunik region. As Nargiza Umarova explains, this corridor not only strengthens Azerbaijan-Turkiye connectivity but also offers a crucial new route for Central Asian states seeking efficient access to European markets. By shortening the existing Baku-Tbilisi-Kars route, it promises significant reductions in transit time and costs, enhancing the competitiveness of goods from Uzbekistan and its neighbours. The author highlights that this new link aligns with the expanding significance of the Middle Corridor, especially in light of the reorientation of trade routes away from Russia due to the Ukraine conflict.   However, the project’s implementation faces resistance from Armenia and Iran. Armenia is concerned about territorial implications, while Iran fears a strengthened Turkiye-Azerbaijan axis that could diminish its regional influence. Despite these challenges, Azerbaijan has diversified its strategy by developing an alternative route through Iran, thereby reducing dependency on Armenian cooperation. The Zangezur Corridor, alongside the Iranian Aras route, holds the potential to bolster regional trade networks, offering Central Asia enhanced logistical pathways and contributing to the geopolitical reconfiguration of Eurasian trade corridors.   * The Institute for Advanced International Studies (IAIS) does not take institutional positions on any issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the IAIS.   Read the article on Caspian Policy Center’s website