Paul Fishstein, former director of the Afghanistan Research and Evaluation Unit in Kabul, explains the constraints to trade between Afghanistan and Central Asia, including the illicit narcotics trade. He explores how this trade may change post-2014, while also commenting on water issues, geographical challenges and historical barriers to trade. [thaudio href=’https:/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Paul-Fishstein.mp3′][/thaudio]

Ned Conway explains why the New Silk Road strategy is often met with criticism, notably that it is more of a vision than a concise strategy with means to implement the vision, and how success for the strategy could be assessed. He also gives his understanding of why Central Asians are skeptical of the strategy […]

Joshua Kucera, a freelance journalist, gives input on the effectiveness of the U.S. New Silk Road strategy, offering a comparison to Chinese efforts towards regional integration in Central Asia. [thaudio href=’https:/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Joshua-Kucera.mp3′][/thaudio]

Shairbek Juraev, a political expert from Kyrgyzstan, explores barriers to regional cooperation both within Central Asia and in the broader region of South Asia. [thaudio href=’https:/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Shair-Jaruaev.mp3′][/thaudio]

Farrukh Irnazarov, country director for the Central Asian Development Institute, gives input into the perspective of Central Asian republics and their views on a New Silk Road Strategy, offering recommendations to the US and other governments hoping to better integrate Afghanistan into Central Asia. [thaudio href=’https:/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Farrukh-Irnazarov.mp3′][/thaudio]

Dr. Mutlu Özdoğan, of the University of Wisconsin, and Dr. Sezin İba Gürsoy, or Kirklareli University, discuss the link between water issues in the Middle East and long-term food security. They provide examples of example partnerships on food and water security and discuss how the region could better utilize data on water management to improve […]

Wisconsin Üniversitesi’nden Dr. Mutlu Özdoğan ve Kırklareli Üniversitesi’nden Dr. Sezin İba Gürsoy, Orta Doğu’daki su sorunları ile uzun vadeli gıda güvenliği arasındaki bağlantıyı konuşuyorlar. Sohbetlerinde, gıda ve su güvenliği alanında iyi ortaklık örnekleri, Orta Doğu su politikasının iyileştirilebilmesi için verilerin daha etkin kullanımı, ve su tasarrufu ile ilgili heyecan verici bir NASA projesi tartışılıyor.  

Dr. Scott Moore discusses why water is such a political issue and what conditions are necessary to resolving water conflict in the Middle East. He also offers insight on Asia as a model for water management in the Middle East and envisions the future of international cooperation on such issues. [clear]   This video was […]

Dr. Hassan Arafat of the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology discusses the state of desalination in the Middle East, including problems of using this technology and recent developments in the field of desalination. [clear]   This video was produced with support from the Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd Program for Strategic Research and Studies at […]

Israel Institute’s Michael Koplow weighs in on the history of Israel-Turkey relations and potential opportunities for increased cooperation between Israel and Turkey. He also discusses the U.S. role as a “present partner” in that relationship and the effects on each nations’ interactions with the US. [clear]