CACI Forum
The South Caucasus Transportation and Energy Corridor: Update in Light of Nuclear Deal with Iran
Wednesday, 21 October 2015, from 5 to 7 PM (reception at 5 p.m., followed by main program at 5:30)
You may view a recorded version of this CACI Forum below or on the SAIS events YouTube channel.
Several US administrations contributed to the revival of the East-West transport corridor connecting the Caspian region with Europe via South Caucasus. Functioning elements of this infrastructure are already moving significant volumes of oil and gas, but the potential of this route is only partially realized. Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan and Georgia are developing new elements of infrastructure that should facilitate the flow of raw materials and finished goods between Asia and Europe. But without political and security support, this project cannot succeed.
This forum, with speakers from academia and business, will analyze and offer views on the commercial and geopolitical context for development of the South Caucasus transportation corridor. It will also look at the Shah-Deniz II/Southern Corridor energy project, as well as explore the impact of the nuclear deal with Iran on regional energy and transportation landscape.
CACI Forum
Iran's Future in Central Asia and the Caucasus
You may view a recorded version of this CACI Forum below or on the SAIS events YouTube channel.
What will a nuclear deal with Iran mean for Central Asia and the Caucasus? What is the potential and what are the risks? This program will consider the political, economic, and strategic dimensions of these questions against the background of Iran's past and present relations with these vital regions.
Speakers:
Alex Vatanka
Senior Fellow, Middle East Institute
Richard Weitz
Senior Fellow and Director of the Center for Political Military Analysis at the Hudson Institute
S Frederick Starr (Moderator)
Chairman, Central Asia-Caucasus Institute/Silk Road Studies Program
Location:
Rome Building Auditorium
Johns Hopkins University - SAIS
1619 Massachusetts Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20036
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CACI Forum
What Do Moscow's Proposed Security Arrangements Mean for Central Asia and the Caucasus?
You may view a recorded version of this CACI Forum below or on the SAIS events YouTube channel.
Moscow is aggressively demanding that the West accept a new security architecture that would take account the new "realities on the ground" created by Russia's de-facto occupation of two Georgian regions, annexation of Crimea, and attempt to create new separatist statelet in Eastern Ukraine. Our speakers will examine these demands against the death of the Conventional Forces in Europe (CFE) treaty and the dysfunctionality of OSCE and other elements of security umbrella that were supposed to maintain peace in the Caucasus and Eastern Europe. Speakers will also consider the West's possible responses.
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.
CACI FORUM
Presidential Elections in Kazakhstan
Tuesday, 5 May 2015, from 5 to 7 PM
You may view a recorded version of this CACI Forum below or on the SAIS events YouTube channel.
Kazakhstan conducted snap elections for the presidency on 26 April, 2015, with President Nazarbayev winning by 97% of vote. While critics question whether opposition candidates were given adequate time to mobilize their campaigns, defenders argue that this vote of confidence in the existing leadership of the country is reassuring to the country's international partners and investors at a moment of considerable stress throughout the region. Speakers will provide first-hand insights on the election and broader perspectives.