The Wakhan Corridor’s Increasing Role in Central Asia- Afghanistan-China Interaction
By Nargiza Umarova
This article addresses the geopolitical and economic dynamics surrounding the development of the Wakhan Corridor as a potential trade route connecting Afghanistan and China through the high-altitude Wakhjir Pass. It highlights the Wakhan Corridor’s competitive advantages over the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and analyses the risks and challenges posed by political instability, security threats, and infrastructural limitations in the region. It also examines China’s cautious stance, Tajikistan’s interest, and broader implications for regional connectivity. The primary objective is to evaluate the feasibility of the Wakhan Corridor, its comparative advantages over existing trade routes like CPEC, and its potential implications for regional connectivity. By examining these aspects, the paper seeks to analyze how the corridor could influence the geopolitical and economic landscape of Central Asia, Afghanistan, and China. In this context, the following analysis delves into the intricacies of the Wakhan Initiative, assessing its inherent risks and opportunities, while evaluating its potential for successful implementation.
Uzbekistan Tourism: The Quality Imperative
By Mamuka Tsereteli and Scott Wayne
This article examines how Uzbekistan can strengthen its economic security by leveraging its extraordinary cultural heritage and strategic positioning to transition from a volume-driven tourism model towards more of a value-driven approach. Targeted policy analysis and strategic planning for sustainable tourism development can accelerate this transformation. Global tourism experienced robust growth in 2025, with international tourist arrivals reaching 1.52 billion worldwide - a 4% increase over 2024 and a new post-pandemic record. International tourism receipts totaled an estimated $1.9 trillion, representing 5% growth year-on-year, while total export revenues from tourism (including passenger transport) reached approximately $2.2 trillion. Within this expanding global market, destinations are increasingly competing not merely for visitor numbers but for higher-value tourism segments. The most successful destinations are those that have strategically positioned themselves to attract tourists who stay longer, spend more, and engage more deeply with local cultures and communities.
Brokers on the Bloc: Central Asian Alignment Through Collective Security
By John DiPirro
Russia’s diminishing influence in the South Caucasus, highlighted by the nascent Azerbaijan-Armenia rapprochement, has opened political and security space for new actors to shape the regional order not just in the South Caucasus, but across Eurasia—including, most notably, in Central Asia. Türkiye’s expanding military-industrial presence and institutional influence give it the unique opportunity to develop a strong relationship with the Central Asian states. But it cannot do so alone. Azerbaijan, positioned between Türkiye and Central Asia, can serve as a bridge between the two, translating Turkish capacity into Central Asian contexts.
Crossroads of Uncertainty: Iran’s Regional Vulnerabilities and Armenia’s Security Challenges
By Anna Gevorgyan
The foreign and security architecture of Armenia has been largely shaped by the transformations of the role and capacity of regional actors after the 2020 Second Karabakh War. Russia’s continuing weakness due to its invasion of Ukraine, Turkey’s growing role in the region, and Iran’s increasing vulnerability due to security challenges and economic crisis have been the key drivers shaping regional developments. At the global level, the US's growing interest in involvement in regional affairs has become another important feature in Armenia’s future.
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