Published in Feature Articles

John DiPirro

July 25, 2025

Armenia stands at a critical crossroads as it seeks to break free from Russian influence and integrate with the West. Following recent peace talks with Azerbaijan in Abu Dhabi and the proposed U.S.-overseen Zangezur Corridor, Armenia has a unique opportunity to transform its geopolitical position. The nation must navigate four key strategic priorities: normalizing relations with Turkey despite historical tensions over the Armenian Genocide, accelerating EU and NATO integration while strengthening democratic institutions, developing strategic industries including defense manufacturing partnerships with Europe, and leveraging the Zangezur corridor to deepen ties with India as an emerging defense partner. With the pivotal 2026 parliamentary elections approaching and Russia intensifying hybrid attacks to destabilize the government, Armenia's choices will determine whether it consolidates as a democratic, pro-Western anchor or reverts to dependence and instability.


Read Armenia's Corridor Toward Regional Stability

Published in Feature Articles

By Javlon Vakhabov

In an era of shifting global power dynamics, Central Asia is becoming a more unified region through emerging diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties. Uzbekistan is prioritizing these efforts within its foreign policy, believing cooperation will be Central Asia’s opportunity to accelerate regional development. Central Asia must also take advantage of its integration efforts to form cultural ties among its regional peoples. While Uzbekistan hopes to emulate international multilateral economic and diplomatic organizations, such as the early European Coal and Steel Community, within Central Asian frameworks, Uzbekistan also supports a policy of engagement towards Afghanistan. Instead of sanctioning and excluding Afghanistan, Uzbekistan hopes to integrate it into the Central Asian community and leverage economic interconnectivity for stability.

Read A New Central Asia Emerging: Opportunities and Challenges.



Published in Feature Articles

By S. Enders Wimbush

The analysis below builds upon the comprehensive strategy framework outlined in the April 2025 CACI report "An American Strategy for Greater Central Asia," offering a more focused examination of how the U.S. can implement these strategic recommendations in practice. While the original report laid out the institutional and policy foundations needed for effective engagement with the region, this follow-up piece explores the practical steps required to operationalize America's approach to this geopolitically critical area.

Any pivot to Asia must prioritize a comprehensive strategy for Greater Central Asia,  yet the U.S. has offered no coherent regional strategy to date. Greater Central Asia is the connective tissue bridging Europe to Asia through energy, trade, transport, and resources, a cornucopia of commercial opportunities. The region figures prominently in the strategies of U.S. adversaries for securing competitive advantage against American interests. Ignoring Greater Central Asia thus exposes the U.S. to lost opportunities and unwanted strategic surprises.

Read A New American Strategy for Greater Central Asia



Published in Feature Articles

By Onnik James Krikorian

Under Nikol Pashinyan, Armenia has started the process of seeking to undo decades of deepening dependence on Russia. This process, however, is not an easy one. Moscow still maintains control over Armenia’s strategic industries, not least in the energy sector. It also has myriad ways of influencing Armenia, including through migrant workers and the influence of Russian media. Meanwhile, the EU and U.S. are preoccupied, including with deteriorating relations with neighboring Georgia. In the end, to escape dependence on Russia, they key for Armenia is the normalization of relations with Azerbaijan and Türkiye, a process that is nevertheless not moving fast enough. As Pashinyan’s popularity wanes, Armenia’s positions between Brussels and Moscow is precarious indeed.


Read Between Brussels and Moscow: Armenia's Geopolitical Balancing Act.

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The Central Asia-Caucasus Analyst is a biweekly publication of the Central Asia-Caucasus Institute & Silk Road Studies Program, a Joint Transatlantic Research and Policy Center affiliated with the American Foreign Policy Council, Washington DC., and the Institute for Security and Development Policy, Stockholm. For 15 years, the Analyst has brought cutting edge analysis of the region geared toward a practitioner audience.

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