In an interview with Paradigma.uz, Nargiza Umarova notes that various clashes and conflicts around the world have a significant impact on Uzbekistan’s transport routes. According to her, Russia’s military actions against Ukraine, conflicts in the Middle East and the situation in Afghanistan are forcing a rethink of regional logistics networks. These factors create the basis not only for the redirection of transit flows, but also for the accelerated development of new transport corridors.   Umarova believes that security threats and financial risks arising from wars directly affect the stability of transit routes. Due to conflicts in Russia and Ukraine, freight transportation in the northern direction has become problematic, forcing Uzbekistan to look for alternative routes. As a result, ideas for developing southern routes through Afghanistan have gained momentum among Central Asian countries. In particular, special attention is being paid to railway projects through Kabul and Kandahar.   In an interview, Nargiza Umarova also notes the growing interest in maritime transit routes due to instability in the Middle East. As transit routes between the east and west are being redirected, there is an opportunity to place Uzbekistan in an even more important position on the international logistics map via Afghanistan and Turkey. According to her, in such conditions, she calls on countries to pursue effective foreign policies, optimize logistics strategies and create sustainable transit infrastructure.   Umarova also analyses the impact of wars on regional cooperation formats and recommends exploring opportunities for new partnerships to diversify Uzbekistan’s transport corridors. For example, as the situation in Afghanistan stabilizes, the importance of the Kabul Corridor project, initiated by the President of Uzbekistan, is increasing. At the same time, she emphasizes the need to build new intermodal terminals and logistics centers in cooperation with Turkey and Iran, as they will contribute to improving the safety and efficiency of routes.   At the end of the interview, Nargiza Umarova notes the need to strengthen sustainable integration and develop digital infrastructure between the countries of Central Asia in order to overcome the negative consequences of wars. As a solution, it is important not only to open new corridors, but also to technologically upgrade existing roads, simplify customs procedures and review transit agreements. In this way, Uzbekistan will be able to further strengthen its position in the regional logistics system.   * The Institute for Advanced International Studies (IAIS) does not take institutional positions on any issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the IAIS.

Odilbek Manabov, a Leading Research Fellow at IAIS, took part in the “International View” program on the Uzbekistan 24 TV channel, where he commented in detail on the current aspects of the development of the strategic partnership between Uzbekistan and Italy. During the interview, Manabov emphasised that in recent years, cooperation between the two countries has significantly expanded and deepened in both the political and economic spheres.   The expert noted that over the past year, Italy was the country from which the largest number of tourists from the EU arrived. He explained that this is due not only to direct flights, but also to the growing popularity of Uzbekistan’s cultural and historical heritage among the Italian public.   He also analysed the meeting between President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, which took place in Samarkand. The speaker pointed out that, following the talks, several important agreements were signed in the areas of investment, tourism, ecology and education. Particular emphasis was placed on the intention of both sides to develop joint environmental projects aimed at conserving water resources and combating desertification, which is in line with sustainable development priorities.   In the field of education, an agreement was reached to expand academic mobility programmes — Italian universities will open additional grants for students and postgraduates from Uzbekistan, while Uzbek universities will facilitate the exchange of teaching staff and internships.   According to him, the successful implementation of the signed agreements in the coming months will strengthen economic growth, increase the country’s investment attractiveness and expand opportunities for young people through educational and cultural exchanges.   * The Institute for Advanced International Studies (IAIS) does not take institutional positions on any issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the IAIS.

Another interview published on the Paradigma.uz platform discussed the likelihood of further escalation of the Kashmir conflict against the backdrop of successive regional wars in the 20s of the 21st century. First the large-scale war between Russia and Ukraine and then the conflicts between Israel and Gaza have severely tested the international security architecture.   Now the problem of Kashmir, which has remained unresolved for almost a century, is once again coming to the center of attention of world politics. IAIS experts Islomkhon Gafarov and Hamza Boltaev shared their views in an interview.   During the interview, Islomkhon Gafarov expressed his opinion: “Today, much in the world is decided by force, not by law. The democratic bloc is on India's side in this regard”.   Hamza Boltaev, taking into account the balance of power in the region, military and economic factors, emphasized that any armed conflict started in South Asia poses a direct threat to the security of Central Asia.   * The Institute for Advanced International Studies (IAIS) does not take institutional positions on any issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the IAIS.

A regular podcast dedicated to current integration processes and prospects for regional cooperation in Central Asia has been aired. Nargiza Umarova, Senior Research Fellow at IAIS, took part in this program as a guest. With her sectoral experience and analyses, she provided the listeners with an in-depth picture of the current state of integration in Central Asia and its political-economic aspects.   During the podcast, in conversations with experts and specialists, the issue of integration went beyond romantic historical views and was analyzed in the context of concrete geopolitical and economic realities. In particular, not only the current state but also the frozen stages of Central Asian integration were discussed in the first minutes, and the causes and consequences of this process were covered in detail.   The conversation also touched upon Azerbaijan’s regional economic interests, the political situation in Afghanistan and ties with the Taliban. In particular, negotiations with Afghanistan on water resources and the strategic importance of future infrastructure projects for Central Asian countries were analyzed.   The podcast also offered important insights on the issue of transport corridors, especially Uzbekistan’s logistical potential in the region. According to experts, Uzbekistan’s geostrategic position makes it a central player in transnational transport systems.   At the end of the program, Nargiza Umarova and other experts expressed their general conclusions about political will, harmony of economic interests and influence of external forces necessary for integration processes.   * The Institute for Advanced International Studies (IAIS) does not take institutional positions on any issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the IAIS.

In the current geopolitical environment, the Afghan issue is once again at the center of attention of the international community. Political views on how to interpret this state, its place and role are becoming increasingly complex. The international community is endeavoring to form new information and political standards with regard to Afghanistan.   These were the pressing issues discussed in the next edition of the CPR Talks series organized by the Centre for Progressive Reform. The guest speaker was Dr. Islomkhon Gafarov, who shared his in-depth analysis of Afghanistan-Central Asia relations, prospects for cooperation and regional security issues.   The conversation comprehensively analyzed the internal transformations in Afghanistan, the strategic approach of the regional countries towards this country, the prospects of transit and economic projects, as well as diplomatic and security aspects. The expert emphasized that the key to sustainable development is not the isolation of Afghanistan, but its involvement in the regional economic system.   * The Institute for Advanced International Studies (IAIS) does not take institutional positions on any issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the IAIS.

In an interview devoted to an in-depth analysis of international relations and geopolitical threats, Hamza Boltaev, Head of the Centre for Afghanistan and South Asian Studies at IAIS, offered important insights into the sources of tension in the region. The interview also analysed the relevance of the Kashmir issue, Afghanistan's direct and indirect links to the process and the risks arising from the backdrop of tensions around Iran.   Hamza Boltaev emphasised that the historical contradictions between Pakistan and India, especially the Kashmir conflict, still upset the balance of security in Central and South Asia today. The fact that both sides possess nuclear weapons increases the risk of the conflict escalating into a direct military clash.   Particular attention was paid to China’s role in the region. China has for many years maintained a close strategic partnership with Pakistan, known as the ‘iron brotherhood’. These ties take the form of military-technical co-operation and diplomatic support. With India, on the other hand, China has a complex relationship, mainly in the context of border disputes, trade conflicts and competition for regional leadership. For this reason, China is close to Pakistan's position on the Kashmir issue and criticises India’s actions in the region. This directly affects the balance of geopolitical power in the region.   Geopolitical tensions around Iran were also emphasised in the interview. Deteriorating relations with the West, military clashes in the Middle East, as well as Tehran’s military potential may aggravate other conflicts in the region. According to the expert, the instability around Iran makes it necessary to consider the geopolitical balance for Pakistan and India. In particular, Pakistan’s neighbourhood with Iran makes it an indirect participant in these conflicts.   In the interview, Hamza Boltaev noted that the approach of major powers to this conflict and regional controversies is based on different interests, strategies and historical ties. This shows that any tension around Kashmir could turn into an arena of global geopolitical competition, not just regional.   * The Institute for Advanced International Studies (IAIS) does not take institutional positions on any issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the IAIS.