In a recent brief interview with Daryo, Deputy Director Shakhboz Akhmedov provided his overview of Uzbekistan’s evolving investment landscape, with a particular focus on the energy sector. He highlighted a shift in the focus of foreign investments, noting that while there has been a surge in investments directed towards hard infrastructure such as wind parks, solar farms, and other renewable energy installations, there is an urgent need to balance this with investments in “soft components”.   Mr. Akhmedov emphasised that while tangible assets like energy facilities are vital for the country’s development, the long-term sustainability and efficiency of these projects hinge on the enhancement of human capital. He argued that investments should also target capacity building, skills development, and the training of local experts to manage, operate, and innovate within these energy projects.   This balanced strategy, he noted, will ultimately support the achievement of Uzbekistan’s sustainability targets.   * 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.

As part of their participation in the International View (“Xalqaro nigoh”) programme on the Uzbekistan 24 TV Channel, IAIS analysts Islomkhon Gafarov and Fazliddin Djamalov provided an in-depth examination of the recent U.S. elections and their wider geopolitical implications.   Islomkhon Gafarov identified several key factors that contributed to Donald Trump’s electoral victory, while also delving into the reasons behind the Democratic Party’s setback, particularly the challenges faced by their candidate, Kamala Harris. Mr. Gafarov offered a comprehensive analysis of Trump’s economic proposals outlined during his campaign, highlighting how these policies resonated with a significant portion of the electorate.   Fazliddin Djamalov, on the other hand, focused on the outcomes of the congressional and local elections across the United States, as well as the global community’s reaction to Trump’s win. He emphasised the Republican Party’s renewed interest in Central Asia, drawing attention to the U.S. Strategy for Central Asia 2019-2025, which was implemented during Donald Trump’s first term in office.   Furthermore, Islomkhon Gafarov elaborated on the shifts in president-elect’s foreign policy agenda, particularly his pledges to address ongoing international conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine. These insights offered viewers a nuanced understanding of the potential trajectory of U.S. foreign relations under Trump’s leadership.   * 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.

Leading researcher of the Center for American Studies, Fazliddin Djamalov, on the air of the programme “International View” (“Xalqaro nigoh”) of Uzbekistan 24 TV channel, presented an in-depth analysis of recent events in American politics, focusing on the recent interview of US Vice President Kamala Harris for Fox News. It should be noted that Fox News traditionally supports the Republican Party, which makes this interview particularly significant given the complex political atmosphere and the heat of the election campaign.   The expert covered in detail the key topics that Harris touched upon in her speech, including migration issues and the prospects of the Biden-Harris tandem in the upcoming elections. He stressed that migration policy remains one of the most controversial topics in American society, and Harris, discussing it on Fox News, came under the scrutiny of both critics and supporters. Fazliddin Djamalov also noted that the current administration has faced serious challenges in implementing its programme, which could have a significant impact on the election results.   Special attention was paid to the topic of Harris’ relationship with former President Donald Trump, emphasising her sharp criticism of him. Despite this, the expert noted that such rhetoric is quite expected, given the long political confrontation between them. Harris actively contrasts her political agenda with Trump’s position, which, according to the expert, is part of the Democratic Party’s overall strategy to strengthen its position in the election race.   In addition to analysing the interview, Fazliddin Djamalov offered a brief overview of the prospects for the presidential election to be held on 5 November 2024. He warned that the outcome of the election remains unpredictable due to the dynamic changes in the political situation, and its outcome will have a significant impact on both domestic politics and the country’s foreign relations.   * 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.

On 14 October this year, information circulated that Taliban representatives asked Uzbekistan to cancel concerts and music programmes at the common market in Termez, otherwise Afghan citizens would not be allowed access to this market. However, the Uzbek Foreign Ministry soon denied these reports. According to the ministry, no appeals of this nature from Afghanistan have been received by the Uzbek side.   Like other ambiguities in relations between Uzbekistan and the Taliban government, such as the successive changes of their ambassadors in Tashkent for unknown reasons, this topic also remained uncertain.   In an interview with QALAMPIR.UZ, Hamza Boltaev, Head of the Centre for Afghanistan and South Asian Studies, tried to express a concrete opinion on these uncertainties. The expert highlighted Uzbekistan’s pragmatic approach towards the Taliban government, misunderstandings and challenges between the two countries, as well as prospects for the development of bilateral relations.   * 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.

Abbos Bobokhonov, Head of the China Programme at the Centre for Asia-Pacific Studies, is currently serving as a Fulbright Visiting Scholar at the University of Georgia (USA). His interview with Miranda Wilson, a contributing editor of the U.S.-China Perception Monitor at the Carter Center, focuses on the strategic relationship between China and Central Asia, with an emphasis on China’s growing influence in the region through economic, political, and security cooperation.   In the second part of the interview, Mr Bobokhonov discusses China’s expanding influence in Central Asia, particularly through economic projects such as the Belt and Road Initiative and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. The expert emphasises China’s strategic use of “soft power” to improve its image in the region and create a counterbalance to Russian dominance. He also shares impressions from his recent visit to Xinjiang, where China is keen to demonstrate development and reduce negative perceptions amid concerns about the Uighur situation.   Read the interview on the U.S.-China Perception Monitor’s website

Abbos Bobokhonov, Head of the China programme at the Centre for Asia Pacific Studies, is currently serving as a Fulbright visiting scholar at Georgia State University (United States). His interview to Miranda Wilson, a contributing editor for the U.S.-China Perception Monitor of the Carter Center, delves into the strategic relationship between China and Central Asia, focusing on China’s growing influence in the region through economic, political, and security cooperation. Mr. Bobokhonov discusses the Belt and Road Initiative, infrastructure development, and how China is stepping into roles previously dominated by Russia. The interview provides insights into how Central Asian nations, especially Uzbekistan, are balancing their partnerships with China amidst shifting geopolitical dynamics, exploring economic opportunities while navigating potential challenges posed by Beijing’s expanding role.   Read the interview on the U.S.-China Perception Monitor’s website