💬 Announcement
We are pleased to announce the release of the latest issue of the Journal of Central Asian Studies. For updates and additional information, please visit the journal on
X,
Bluesky, and
LinkedIn.
Published articles:
🟦From Reform Convergence to Delivery: Water Governance as a Test of Regional Cooperation in Central Asia
The paper by Iskandar Abdullaev explores the paradox of water governance in Central Asia, where similar national reforms have not translated into water security despite political rapprochement. The author proposes a three-stage framework to analyze this delivery gap and suggests that enhancing regional cooperation should focus on practical solutions like harmonized indicators and joint investments, rather than just aligning reform agendas.
[Link to full article]
🟦From Pilot to Procurement: Institutional Conditions for Scaling Public-Sector AI in Kazakhstan with Comparisons to Azerbaijan and South Korea
The article by Elliott Ahn examines public-sector AI from pilot projects to procurement in Kazakhstan, comparing it with Azerbaijan and South Korea. The author introduces a five-condition framework that highlights the importance of problem ownership, public-data access, and a post-pilot procurement pathway, evaluation and accountability, and capability transfer.
[Link to full article]
🟦Low-Level Progress, High-Level Fragility: The Sustainability Gap in Anti-Corruption Reform in Kyrgyzstan
The paper by Aşkim Beste Özdoğan introduces the concept of the "sustainability gap" in anti-corruption reform in Kyrgyzstan, highlighting how the durability of accountability functions varies across different reform domains. Examining public procurement transparency, digital service delivery, and high-level enforcement, the paper finds that while some reforms initially show promise, their effectiveness can diminish when political costs arise.
[Link to full article]
🟦Media-Constructed Morality: Comparing Kazakhstan and France in Repatriation Debates
The manuscript by Aidana Talgatkyzy, Aliya Zhumagali, and Islam Supyaldiyarov examines how media in Kazakhstan and France framed the repatriation of citizens affiliated with ISIS between 2019 and 2025, revealing distinct patterns: compassion in Kazakhstan versus a focus on security in France. We invite you to explore how these differing narratives influence public discourse and perceptions of responsibility and belonging in the context of counterterrorism.
[Link to full article]
🟦Extending Omnidirectional Hedging Through the Social Dimension of Shelter Theory: Small-State Strategy in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan
This article by Giedrius Kviklys & Sanat Kushkumbayev examines the theoretical complementarity between shelter theory and omnidirectional hedging in the foreign policy of small and medium-sized states, particularly in the context of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. By integrating a social dimension into this framework, the authors highlight how domestic factors like societal openness and public support shape these countries' strategies in a complex geopolitical landscape.
[Link to full article]
🟦Shanghai Cooperation as a Mechanism for Regional Integration in Central Asia
Akbar Bitleuov, Aimen Kurmangali, Zara Shaimordanova, and Catherine Poujol explore the Shanghai Cooperation Organization as a unique platform for regional integration in Central Asia, showing a shift from security-focused priorities to a more economically diverse agenda over the years. By analyzing official SCO documents, the authors highlight the importance of flexible, consensus-based regionalism and suggest that the SCO presents an alternative model for regional engagement.
[Link to full article]
![[НУЖНЫ ВПЕШЕРЫ]•°•°VP CONFESSION •°•° Telegram channel](https://cdn.tgdio.com/channels/2026/08/Vp_confession_632.webp)
