Juha Kähkönen
Deputy Director, Middle East and Central Asia Department, IMF

Edward Gemayel
Mission Chief, Kyrgyz Republic, IMF

MODERATOR:  S. Frederick Starr, Chairman, Central Asia-Caucasus Institute

Recent developments in the Eurasia region demonstrate that regional superpowers stepped into a vigorous race for shaping a geopolitical picture that suits their own political interests and security considerations. Russia has formed a union of allies that helps to destabilize countries that did not pledge their loyalty to Russia:  the Eurasia Economic Union, established by Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan, will extend its borders as far as Armenia and Kyrgyz Republic (pending ratification in May).  Thus Russia uses political and military leverage to form a comfort zone in the Caucasus and Central Asia; meanwhile, China uses trade and massive infrastructure projects financing to increase influence in Central Asia and  Mongolia.  At the same time, the European Union has been cooperating with Ukraine and republics in the Caucasus to sign EU association agreements on free trade within the European Union.
 
Countries in Central Asia, Caucasus and Mongolia are at the crossroads of choosing their destinies. What will be the future of the region?  What will be the role of Eurasian Economic Union?  Will China’s role in Central Asia grow?
 
CACI Rumsfeld fellows will discuss possible scenarios of development in the Eurasia region, with relevant political, social, and economic implications, based on their personal experience in public sector and business.