The Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies presents a new academic publication titled “Strategic Review of Central Asia 2026.” The review was authored by Aidar Kurmashev, Head of the Department of Asian Studies at KISI. The publication is available in Russian and English.
The publication provides a comprehensive analysis of the key trends, risks, and development opportunities in Central Asia across geostrategic, economic, infrastructural, and socio-demographic dimensions. The study views the region as an interconnected system, with resources, infrastructure, institutions, and social dynamics shaping a unified framework of resilience.
Particular attention is given to the water factor as a key constraint on regional stability, development of transit potential, quality of institutional coordination, and demographic and social processes.
The publication includes an analysis of geostrategic risks, a development scenario matrix for 2026–2030, and foresight projections through 2040–2050 in key areas: resources, infrastructure, institutions, and socio-demographic dynamics.
The study is based on the results of expert surveys conducted between 2023 and 2026 and employs methods such as content analysis, comparative interpretation, and scenario modeling.
The academic work received expert reviews from D.K. Akhmedyanova and M.B. Assanbayev. The publication is available in Russian and English and is intended for a broad readership. It may also serve as an analytical, academic-methodological, and reference resource for experts, government representatives, researchers, lecturers, and students.
