Caspian Policy Center (CPC)

Georgia has overhauled its strategy for the Anaklia Deepwater Port, replacing the previous joint-investment model—which included a Chinese state-owned company, with a fully state-owned "landlord model." The decision marks a major shift for one of the Middle Corridor's most strategic infrastructure projects. caspianpolicy.org/research/middl…

"The U.S. could no longer neglect to invest in Central Asian countries that so deeply wanted a relationship with the United States," said @SteveDaines at CPC's Trans-Caspian Forum, weeks before his own trip to the region (Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan) this July. Check out the vid below for his full speech.

In the midst of a historic trade slump and worsening relations, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan made his first trip since reelection to Russia. The prime ministerial meeting set the stage for the evolving and fragile bilateral relations under Pashinyan’s leadership. caspianpolicy.org/research/armen…

Armenia advances the TRIPP Corridor agreement, Turkmenistan's visit to Georgia, Azerbaijan-Uzbekistan investment deals, and more in this week's media highlights. caspianpolicy.org/research/weekl…

Announced on July 9, the Kazakh-Korean Center for Rare Earth Metals Research will become Kazakhstan’s first scientific and technological platform dedicated to developing, testing, and commercializing clean, high-purity, and ultra-high-purity rare-earth metal production. caspianpolicy.org/research/kazak…

Mirziyoyev’s July state visit to Tbilisi, the first by an Uzbek leader in 23 years, signals a major pivot: doubly landlocked Uzbekistan is betting on Georgia’s Black Sea ports (Poti, Batumi, Anaklia) to reach Europe via the Middle Corridor. caspianpolicy.org/research/uzbek…

USEA President & CEO Mark W. Menezes recently had a meeting with the @caspiancenter leadership team to discuss shared interests and collaboration opportunities.

Sustained Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian refineries are reducing Moscow’s refining capacity, cutting gasoline and diesel output. Domestic shortages are not only reshaping the outlook of the war but quickly spilling over into the Caspian neighborhood. caspianpolicy.org/research/energ…

Uzbekistan’s national team became the first Central Asian nation to ever qualify for the World Cup. For a region where soccer possesses immense popularity, Uzbekistan’s qualification and participation in the tournament was a monumental achievement. caspianpolicy.org/research/uzbek…

Diplomatic achievements over the past year have confirmed U.S. interest in prioritizing the Caspian region. This DFC visit confirms the region’s operational priority for the Trump administration. caspianpolicy.org/research/criti…

U.S. Sen. Steve Daines visits Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan; EU discusses regional connectivity; and more this week. caspianpolicy.org/research/weekl…

CPC’s Dr. Eric Rudenshiold on how Moscow is converting its future into present military power, and what’s left when the war ends. nationalinterest.org/feature/russia…

Kazakhstan's TRIPP interest could be a game-changer for Eurasian connectivity. Astana's PM signaled readiness to join the corridor linking Azerbaijan, Türkiye & EU markets, bringing 60% of Central Asia's economy into the mix. caspianpolicy.org/research/middl…

President Tokayev’s visit to Brussels underscored Kazakhstan’s growing strategic role in Europe’s connectivity agenda. From a new EU partnership on critical minerals to €12 billion in commercial agreements, the visit marked a significant step in deepening EU–Central Asia cooperation. caspianpolicy.org/research/kazak…

Full article is out now on our website. caspianpolicy.org/research/uzbek…

The recent land exchange between Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan is more than the transfer of two border villages; it represents another step toward resolving one of Central Asia’s most longstanding security challenges.

Already suffering from serious climate shifts, water shortages, and rising temperatures, Central Asia appears headed for a major tipping event. The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced the start of an El Niño event on June 11 that will bring higher temperatures and increased rainfall to Central Asia in the coming months. caspianpolicy.org/research/envir…

The EU is translating its Global Gateway vision into action. A new Connectivity Agenda Platform will channel €2 billion toward infrastructure along the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor, bringing together governments, international institutions, and the private sector to strengthen Eurasian connectivity. caspianpolicy.org/research/middl…

"Azerbaijan stepped up when Russia weaponized energy and turned off the gas for Europe," said EC President Ursula von der Leyen during her visit to Baku. With the EU as Azerbaijan's largest trading partner & investor, both sides are resuming talks on a new comprehensive agreement. 📰 More in this week's media highlights: caspianpolicy.org/research/weekl…

The Middle Corridor is no longer an alternative route; it's a strategic necessity. That was the message at @caspiancenter's London Caspian Connectivity Conference last week, featuring @AlderdiceLord, @ElinSuleymanov, @TC_LondraBE, @bp_plc, @EBRD, @UKEF & more. Read the full recap: caspianpolicy.org/research/press…