Iran sees opening in Central Asia while Russia is bogged down elsewhere
But after protests in Afghanistan and a recent knife attack against Shiite clerics, it may not be as smooth as Tehran had hoped.
But after protests in Afghanistan and a recent knife attack against Shiite clerics, it may not be as smooth as Tehran had hoped.
The agreement was presented by both Baku and Tehran as proof that their recent political crisis had been overcome. Has it?
The short-term crisis between the two neighbors has dissipated. But in the longer term, relations have gotten a lot more complicated.
Uzbekistan has been discussed as the most likely contender to accept some sort of U.S. military presence, despite Tashkent’s denials.
Despite years of policy and rhetoric designed to reproach Moscow, Washington now needs help containing the Taliban.
Recent months have not been necessarily kind to Chinese aspirations of remaining aloof to conflict beyond its borders.
Iran stands to be one of the winners of the new regional transportation map.
With the Taliban onboard, Turkmenistan may now hope international investors can be persuaded to get involved.
Azerbaijan’s decisive military victory has forced Tehran to accommodate to Baku in ways it did not before.
For now, Erdogan has strengthened his position in a rejiggering of the balance of power in the Caucasus between not only Russia and Turkey, but also Iran.
How Iran was definitely put on back foot by Armenia-Azerbaijan peace deal
A fragile peace has emerged after six weeks of war, with Armenians distraught, Russia reasserting itself, and Iran feeling nervous.
And don’t be surprised if the West is cut out of any future resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
Trade has plummeted, Chinese goods are disappearing from markets, and exports of China’s favorite Central Asian commodity – natural gas – have nosedived.
The lure of access to Iranian ports is pushing Central Asian nations like Tajikistan and Uzbekistan to improve relations with Tehran, against Saudi wishes.
A visit to Central Asia by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo underscored how Washington sees the region defined by its own rivals.