On January 20 of this year, Donald Trump was officially sworn in as the 47th President of the United States of America. Due to cold weather, the inauguration took place inside the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C.   The Ceremony and the Inaugural Address   Present at the ceremony were former U.S. Presidents still living, including Joe Biden, as well as key political figures and high-ranking foreign guests, notably Han Zheng, Vice President of China. In addition to politicians, prominent business leaders attended, including Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg, as well as Shou Zi Chew, CEO of TikTok.   Shortly before the ceremony, Biden signed an order pardoning members of his family, which — given the absence of any ongoing criminal proceedings against them — effectively guarantees them legal immunity in the future. Biden also wrote a letter to Trump but did not disclose its contents. “That’s between Trump and me”, he said.   Trump took the oath of office together with Vice President J.D. Vance, and the ceremonial atmosphere, replete with symbolic details, imbued the event with historical significance. In his inaugural address, Trump proclaimed the start of a “Golden Age of America”. He stated that his mission is to restore the nation’s greatness and improve the welfare of its citizens.   In the economic domain, Trump emphasized the need for an “industrial renaissance”, announcing the “Revival of America” program. This initiative aims to support domestic manufacturing, reduce the tax burden on businesses, and eliminate bureaucratic barriers. In addition, he promised to strengthen protectionist measures, including higher tariffs on imports, especially from China.   Trump expressed confidence that America must once again become the world leader in innovation, industry, and technology. He also confirmed his intention to complete the construction of the wall on the Mexican border to “put a permanent stop to illegal immigration”. As part of his stricter immigration policy, he promised to impose sanctions on employers hiring undocumented migrants and to implement a new merit-based immigration system focused on the economic contributions of immigrants. In addition, a program was announced to deport undocumented migrants with criminal records, which, he said, would improve public safety. Mexican drug cartels would be designated as terrorist organizations, enabling the use of regular military units against them.   In terms of foreign policy, Trump stated that the United States would seek peace and cooperation, while firmly defending its national interests. He underscored that America would not intervene in conflicts unrelated to its direct interests and would focus on bolstering the economy and defense capabilities. His statements on regaining U.S. control over the Panama Canal have drawn significant attention. Trump argued that America’s handover of control to Panama in 1999 was ill-advised.   Amid ongoing debates on gender identity, Trump declared that gender would be defined solely as male or female, which he said reflects biological reality. Moreover, his speech dedicated considerable attention to issues of freedom of speech and government censorship, especially in the context of digital platforms. Responding to criticism of the government’s control over the internet, Trump pledged decisive measures to lift state censorship and protect citizens’ right to freely express their opinions. In doing so, he effectively signaled his intent to deliver a powerful blow to the ideological platform of the Democratic Party, forcing it into a defensive position and prompting substantial reforms.   First Day of the Presidency   On his first day in the White House, Trump took a number of decisive steps, overturning 78 executive orders and memoranda from the Biden administration. Among other actions, he granted pardons to most of those charged in connection with the storming of the Capitol in January 2021. Trump also signed an executive order extending TikTok’s permission to operate in the United States for an additional 75 days and announced the country’s withdrawal from the World Health Organization and the Paris Agreement on climate change. The justification offered was a loss of trust in international organizations, which may weaken the U.S. position as a global leader.   Consistent with promises made in his inaugural address, Trump signed an order directing the start of the process to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the “American Gulf”. He also signed orders tightening the requirements for obtaining U.S. citizenship and strengthening measures against unlawful entry across the southern border. In the field of energy, Trump reaffirmed his intention to increase oil and gas production by opening new drilling sites and declared plans to introduce a state of emergency in the energy sector to boost domestic production, reflecting his emphasis on energy independence and economic growth. Trump also announced plans to reform government institutions, including the Federal Reserve System, which could lead to changes in the fundamental foundations of American governance and the economy.   Although the Russia–Ukraine issue was not listed among his main priorities, Trump’s position on this matter remains significant. He stated that President Zelensky is prepared to make a “deal” with Russia, but noted the uncertainty of President Putin’s stance. At the same time, he suspended all foreign aid processes, including aid to Ukraine, in order to evaluate their effectiveness in light of U.S. national interests.   In addition, Trump announced the launch of the largest technological project in history — the development of artificial intelligence (AI) — with a budget of $500 billion allocated for the creation of a supercomputer and data processing center in Texas. To this end, Trump revoked Biden’s 2023 executive order that had restricted AI development for “safety” reasons. By doing so, he made clear that his administration aims to secure U.S. technological leadership in the global arena.   Trump’s immediate priority is forming his Cabinet. The U.S. Senate is currently holding hearings for nominees proposed by Trump for various posts. On Inauguration Day, the Senate approved Marco Rubio as Secretary of State by a majority vote. On his first day in office, Trump established a Department for Enhancing Government Efficiency headed by Elon Musk, who will serve under presidential authority at the White House.   Donald Trump’s 2025 inauguration symbolizes the ongoing transformation of American politics. The return to power of a leader known for his unconventional approach has raised numerous questions about the future of the United States and its role on the world stage. The long-term effects of the initiatives he has announced will depend on how they are carried out. If the administration manages to balance its actions without undermining democratic principles or minority rights, it could help strengthen public confidence in the political system. Otherwise, the radicalization of rhetoric and policies risks exacerbating social tensions.

In his insightful commentary, Akbar Mavlonov, Associate Research Fellow at IAIS, discusses Central Asia’s pivotal role in global energy dynamics, exploring the diverse aspects of energy security in the area, analyzing its effects on international relations, economic advancement, and environmental sustainability.   Endowed with significant reservoirs of oil, natural gas, and renewable energy sources, Central Asia not only drives global energy markets but also propels its own economic development. However, the region's energy landscape is complex due to geopolitical intricacies influenced by major powers such as Russia, China, the United States, and the European Union. The strategic significance of pipelines, exemplified by the Turkmenistan-China gas pipeline, highlights the convergence of economic and geopolitical interests.   In navigating these complexities, Central Asia occupies a critical position in shaping sustainable development in the region and beyond, positioning itself as a significant player in global energy relations.   Read the commentary   * 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.

In November 2024, the COP29 climate conference will take place in Baku, Azerbaijan. One of the most discussed aspects of the event is the invitation extended to a representative of the Taliban government. This decision has raised many questions, as the Taliban’s government is not officially recognized by most countries and does not meet many international standards. Despite these challenges, the invitation has been issued, and there are several key reasons behind this move.   First and foremost, it is important to recognize that climate change is a global issue that requires cooperation from all countries, regardless of their political situation. In previous COP summits, representatives from countries with different political systems, even those in conflict or strained relations, have still come together to discuss urgent environmental issues. Climate change is not confined to any one country or region—it affects the entire planet. Solving it requires collaboration at every level.   The Taliban’s inclusion in the COP29 agenda might also be linked to efforts to engage countries that, due to political isolation or internal instability, would otherwise be excluded from global discussions. Afghanistan, despite its challenging political situation, is facing serious environmental problems such as droughts, deforestation, and land degradation. These issues are directly connected to climate change, and involving the Taliban in the conference not only highlights the region’s environmental challenges but also sets the stage for future cooperation on these issues.   Furthermore, the invitation to the Taliban could be part of a broader international strategy where climate diplomacy is used as a tool to open communication with isolated regimes. This move may indicate a growing recognition that to effectively address global challenges, the international community must be prepared to engage with different political realities. While the Taliban is not recognized by many countries, its participation in international forums like COP29 can help strengthen its diplomatic standing.   Another important aspect is the political dimension. The invitation to the Taliban can be seen as a step toward recognizing their government on the international stage. This event strengthens the Taliban’s position, allowing them to demonstrate their ability to engage with the global community on important issues like climate change. While this invitation does not imply immediate official recognition, it could be interpreted as a signal that international actors are exploring ways for more constructive dialogue with the new Afghan regime, particularly on issues where cooperation is essential.   In summary, the invitation extended to the Taliban for COP29 is not just a diplomatic gesture aimed at involving all countries in tackling the climate crisis; it is also part of a broader strategy of an incremental recognition Afghanistan and its government on the international stage. Ultimately, this event could play a significant role in shaping future relations between the Taliban and the rest of the world.   * 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.

Recently, the Taliban government has appeared to ramp up promotions addressing literacy measures among population. The Ministry of Education states that over 4,000 literacy classes have been established across the country in the current academic year alone. The ministry further reports that last year, it successfully set up more than 9,000 similar classes, extending educational opportunities to tens of thousands of Afghans.   Ministry of Education spokesperson Mansoor Ahmad Hamza noted that in 2023, the number of new literacy courses reached 4,583, with nearly 86,000 people actively participating in these learning programs. A year ago, the Ministry announced comparable achievements, citing the creation of over 9,000 classes attended by more than 49,000 students.   However, despite these ambitious claims, several critical questions make it challenging to fully evaluate the efficacy and truthfulness of these initiatives. For one, it remains unclear whether these programs include girls and women, whose rights to education in Afghanistan are severely restricted. There are also doubts about the accuracy of the data provided, as no independent sources outside the Taliban’s official channels have confirmed the establishment of this many classes. In a climate of restricted access to independent information, it is difficult to verify these figures and assess their transparency.   Nevertheless, despite these uncertainties, two potentially positive aspects of the Taliban’s current policy emerge. First, the fact that literacy is gaining prominence as a government priority indicates a possible shift in their policy focus. Based on their official statements, it is evident that the Taliban is actively working to enhance the country’s educational system and increase literacy rates. In turn, this could be a constructive step towards Afghanistan’s long-term development, where literacy and basic education play essential roles in fostering economic growth and social stability.   Second, should the reported figures be partially exaggerated or inaccurate, their dissemination still suggests an effort by the Taliban to cultivate a more favourable image on the global stage. Spreading information about such initiatives may indicate a willingness to acknowledge the significance of international standards in human rights and education. Essentially, this could imply that the Taliban recognizes that, to engage sustainably with the global community, it must respect not only traditional Islamic norms but also values accepted in other countries. Such approach may be part of a strategy to legitimize their rule and gradually establish a more positive reputation worldwide.   In sum, although there are various concerns about the credibility and accessibility of information, the Taliban’s claims regarding literacy improvements highlight some potentially positive trends in their governance. Enhancing literacy and advancing the educational system could represent meaningful steps toward Afghanistan’s growth and stability, as well as reflect a willingness to adapt to and recognize international norms. * 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 commentary analyses the current state and dynamics of foreign direct investment (FDI) attraction in Uzbekistan’s economy, viewing FDI as a key element for sustainable economic growth, technological development and job creation. Since 2017, the country has implemented many reforms aimed at attracting investors and improving the investment climate, including the introduction of laws on special economic zones and currency operations, which has led to the creation of numerous economic and industrial zones.   The paper notes that one of the strategic goals laid out in the Strategy “Uzbekistan – 2030” is to attract $110bn FDI, support public-private partnerships and increase investment in fixed capital. However, successful achievement of these goals requires improvement of the institutional environment, including the rule of law and protection of property rights, which play an important role for foreign investors.   Analyses of FDI between 2016 and 2022 show significant growth in industry, especially in textiles and chemicals, and in the energy sector. However, investment in high-tech and export-oriented sectors such as engineering and pharmaceuticals remains low, highlighting the need to create a more attractive environment in these sectors.   In addition, there have been changes in the geographical composition of FDI in recent years: the share of investment from China continues to increase, but there has also been an increase in investment from Turkey and Saudi Arabia. Regionally, FDI growth has been strongest in the Syr Darya, Samarkand and Navoi regions, where free economic zones have helped to attract FDI and spread investment more evenly across the country.   * 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.   Download and read the commentary (in Uzbek) here

In August 2023, the BRICS summit decided to invite Saudi Arabia and the UAE to become full members of the organisation from January 2024. These countries see joining BRICS as an opportunity to hedge their economic and geopolitical interests amid changes in the global order, including waning support for the US following attacks on their territories. For Saudi Arabia, it is a move to strengthen its independence and diversify its economic ties, especially with China and India, which is in line with its Vision 2030 strategy.   The UAE sees BRICS as a platform for economic co-operation that will allow it to strengthen trade relations with global partners such as Russia, Brazil, China and India. Joining BRICS is seen as an economic manoeuvre aimed at strengthening the UAE’s role in international trade and finance, as well as diversifying the economy through non-oil sectors.   Read and download the commentary in Russian below