CENTRAL ASIA
November 2007
"Energy Supply and Demand in Eurasia: Cooperation between EU and Iran"
Journal Article, China and Eurasia Forum Quarterly, issue 4, volume 5
By Abbas Maleki, Former Senior Research Associate, International Security Program
Energy diversification has emerged as one of the most important priorities for a majority of the European countries and the EU. Growing energy demand in Europe combined with a high reliance on Russia as an energy producer have led the EU to look to the Caspian Sea region for alternative energy resources, especially in natural gas. Iran has the 2nd largest natural gas reserves in the world and could assist Europe in diversifying supplies. This article argues that there is substantial potential for energy cooperation between Iran and the European countries, particularly Turkey. Increased Iranian participation in the Eurasian energy market, both as consumer and producer, could lead to other benefits including economic development and more efficient energy extraction.
October 2007
Tajiks Wrestle with Identity and Islam
Magazine or Newspaper Article, Far Eastern Economic Review, issue October 2007
By Susan Sypko, Former Research Assistant to Graham Allison, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs
When asked about the greatest difference between Muslims in Tajikistan and Muslims in other countries, Davlatmo Ismailova — or “Fatima,” as she prefers to be called—tells me that other Muslims have more freedom. Fatima would know. She is suing Tajikistan’s Ministry of Education for not allowing her to wear the hijab to her university classes.
(AP Photo)
October 7, 2007
"Playing Favorites on Dictators Robs U.S. of High Ground"
Op-Ed, Chicago Tribune
By Robert Rotberg, Director, Program on Intrastate Conflict and Conflict Resolution
Myanmar (formerly Burma) is among the four most repressive countries on Earth, and President Bush is right to strengthen sanctions against the junta of aging generals who have pummeled protesting monks in their monasteries. But what about equally odious regimes with which Washington maintains cordial relations despite appalling human-rights records?
September 2007
"Iran-Pakistan-India Pipeline: Is It a Peace Pipeline?"
Magazine or Newspaper Article, MIT Center for International Studies Audit of the Conventional Wisdom, issue 16, volume 7
By Abbas Maleki, Former Senior Research Associate, International Security Program
A major natural gas pipeline that would stretch from the fields of southern Iran to Pakistan and India — itself a remarkable prospect — is being planned. But it faces serious hurdles, not least the fierce opposition of the U.S. government.
September 2007
Book Review: Russian Colonial Society in Tashkent, 1865-1923
Journal Article, Far Eastern Economic Review
By Susan Sypko, Former Research Assistant to Graham Allison, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs
Book Review: Russian Colonial Society in Tashkent, 1865-1923 by Jeff Sahadeo
As American forces struggle to bring democracy to Iraq after a "quick military victory," historian Jeff Sahadeo's tale of Russian colonialism sounds eerily familiar. It took the Russian Imperial Army only two days to defeat Central Asian defenders of Tashkent in 1865. Mr. Sahadeo's page-turning account of what happened afterward, howerver, reveals that there was nothing straightforward or simple about imperial Russia's "civilizing mission" in Central Asia.
Summer 2007
"Iran's Foreign Policy towards Iraq and Syria"
Journal Article, Turkish Policy Quarterly, issue 2, volume 6
By Kayhan Barzegar, Research Fellow, Project on Managing the Atom/International Security Program
This paper investigates the roots of Iranian foreign policy toward Iraq and Syria after the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Because of its geo-strategic location, political-cultural characteristics and energy sources, Iran is a pivotal state in shaping the international politics of the Middle East. Since the September 11th events, Iran has increasingly had impact on the issues such as regional crises in Afghanistan, Iraq and Lebanon as well as the war against global terrorism, which are currently the most significant agenda items of international security. The author argues that Iran's foreign policy towards Iraq and Syria is primarily geopolitical, oriented at building a secure environment at its borders, for strategic-pragmatic purposes.
August 25, 2007
Worst of the Worst: Dealing with Repressive and Rogue Nations
Book
By Robert Rotberg, Director, Program on Intrastate Conflict and Conflict Resolution
"This volume makes an unparalleled contribution to the growing and vital field of measurement and human rights. [The book] offers a useful categorization and assessment of repressive and 'rogue' states, allowing us to measure the extenet of repressive state behavior more accurately. His [Rotberg] work should embolden external critiques and facilitate more transparent and accountable foreign policy."
--Sarah Sewall, Director, Carr Center for Human Rights Policy, Harvard University
July 4, 2007
Power to People: The Inside Story of AES and the Globalization of Electricity
Book
By Peter Grose, Associate, International Security Program
Power to People is the story of electricity privatization, expanding global markets, and the transformation of an industry. It is also proof of the electrifying combination of innovation and good citizenship.
April 25, 2007
"'Shiite Crescent' Might Not Be What It Seems"
Op-Ed, Baltimore Sun
By Brenda Shaffer, Former Research Fellow, International Security Program, 1999-2000; Former Research Director, Caspian Studies Project, 2004-2007
The premise of the Shiite Crescent assumes that states sharing common sectarian ties tend to form alliances and choose cooperation partners. But do they?
April 2007
"Troubled Disposition: Next Steps in Dealing With Excess Plutonium"
Magazine or Newspaper Article, Arms Control Today, issue 3, volume 37
By Matthew Bunn, Associate Professor of Public Policy; Co-Principal Investigator, Project on Managing the Atom; Co-Principal Investigator, Energy Research, Development, Demonstration, and Deployment (ERD3) Policy Project
Matthew Bunn argues that plutonium disposition—physically transforming it into a form that would be difficult and costly to recover for use in nuclear weapons—if carried out on a large scale would “mark a key step toward deeper and less-reversible nuclear arms reductions.” But, as he documents, delays, costs, and obstacles have plagued plutonium disposition plans in both the United States and Russia.
