Nargis Kassenova
@nargiskassenova.bsky.social
A Central Asian/Central Asianist currently living in Cambridge, MA.
In this piece, David Akopyan and I, write about the budding Armenia-Kazakhstan partnership to develop strategic connectivity in Eurasia: nationalinterest.org/blog/silk-ro...
Why Armenia-Kazakhstan Ties Are Expanding
Both Yerevan and Astana are seeking to move beyond their traditional dependence on Russia and maintain multi-vector foreign policies.
nationalinterest.org
In this "fresh off the press" essay Ambassador Lynne Tracy gives a fascinating first-hand account of the move of the American embassy to Astana, much less welcoming and comfortable place at the time. eurasianet.org/memoir-pione...
Memoir: Pioneering diplomacy in Astana
Getting to ‘yes’ on moving embassy.
eurasianet.org
Join us today (5/14) 9:30 am EST for an in-depth conversation on public sector reforms in Kazakhstan with Saltanat Janenova and Gulnur Makulbayeva, editors of the new book exploring the "Listening and Just State" agenda of President Tokayev administration. daviscenter.fas.harvard.edu/events/publi...
Public Sector Reforms in Kazakhstan: Exploring a 'Listening and Just State' Agenda
In their edited volume, Public Sector Reforms in Kazakhstan, Saltanat Janenova and Gulnur Makulbayeva examine the implementation dynamics of diverse policy initiatives advanced through the “Listening ...
daviscenter.fas.harvard.edu
Another excellent session at REECAS NW Conference on Friday! Plenary speakers, Nargis Kassenova, @nargiskassenova.bsky.social, Olena Lennon, and Justyna Zając shared their expertise on Ukraine, REECAS and the European Union. Check out the podcast recording here! soundcloud.com/eueuropeuw/p...
Plenary Session | REECAS Northwest | Lennon, Kassenova, Zając
On April 17th, 2026 three experts delivered an excellent plenary session at the 32nd Annual REECAS Northwest Conference at the University of Washington, on current strategy around Ukraine, REECAS and
soundcloud.com
My report "Kazakhstan: An Aspiring Middle Power in the Heart of Eurasia", which is part of the Harvard Belfer Center Middle Powers Project, is out. Check it out! www.belfercenter.org/research-ana...
Kazakhstan: An Aspiring Middle Power in the Heart of Eurasia
Kazakhstan is emerging as a pragmatic middle power, leveraging its strategic position at the crossroads of Eurasia and its vast reserves of energy and critical minerals to gain global relevance. Throu...
belfercenter.org
We've just had a great conversation on U.S.-Central Asia partnership in the spheres of nuclear non-proliferation and nuclear energy development with two extremely knowledgable experts, Amb. Laura S. H. Holgate and Aidar Tainov. You can watch it here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=K19F...
Building a Secure Nuclear Future: US-Central Asia Partnership
YouTube video by Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies
youtube.com
Our new essay is out! Amb. (ret.) John O'Keefe, who served as U.S. Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan in 2000-2003, shares his memories and insights about that most interesting period in American-Kyrgyz relations: eurasianet.org/memoir-remem...
Memoir: Remembering 9/11 Coalition and creation of Manas Air Base in Kyrgyzstan
“Implementation is never easy.”
eurasianet.org
We are going live in 30 min. Join us! daviscenter.fas.harvard.edu/events/fragm...
Fragmenting the Digital Silk Road: Agency and Modularity in Kazakhstan’s Telecom Sector
A study of Kazakhstan’s telecom sector shows how China's seemingly unified strategy of building an alternative to U.S.-dominated internet infrastructure is appropriated by local actors and shaped by l...
daviscenter.fas.harvard.edu
I just finished a three-year term as an editor at an international relations journal. I began at the start of the LLM era but ended right in the middle of it. Our volume of submissions tripled and our desk reject rate rose to 75%. I have some thoughts. open.substack.com/pub/hegemon/...
The Age of Academic Slop is Upon Us
what happens when AI automates "normal science"?
open.substack.com
Marianne Kamp was awarded a CESS Book Award for "Collectivization Generation: Oral Histories of a Social Revolution in Uzbekistan." Dr. Kamp spoke about the recent book in an interview with Nicholas Seay, graduate student board member of CESS. Read the piece here: tinyurl.com/42u9zdf5
We've just rolled out the CfP for our 4th Graduate Student Conference on Central Asia. The central theme is "Environment, Society, and Power in Central Asia" in honor of late Maya K. Peterson. daviscenter.fas.harvard.edu/insights/cal...
Call for Papers: 2026 Grad Student Conference on Сentral Asia
The main theme will be environment, society, and power in the region. Submissions are welcome from any discipline and any level of graduate study. Deadline to apply is Feb. 9.
daviscenter.fas.harvard.edu
Kazakhstan joins the ranks of countries that ban so-called LGBT "propaganda." The gov claims this law doesn't violate international treaties ratified by #Kazakhstan, but - make no mistake - it does. vlast.kz/novosti/6765...
Парламент Казахстана принял поправки о запрете «пропаганды ЛГБТ» - Аналитический интернет-журнал Власть
Тамара Вааль, Астана, Власть В четверг в ходе пленарного заседания сенат в двух чтениях одобрил закон «О внесении изменений и дополнений в некоторые законодательные акты Республики Казахстан по вопр...
vlast.kz
We're excited to announce our Conference Plenary for REECAS NW 2026! The Plenary session, 'Ukraine, REECAS and the European Union' will feature speakers Nargis Kassenova (Harvard University) @nargiskassenova.bsky.social, Justyna Zając (Indiana University) & Olena Lennon (University of New Haven.)
Join us tomorrow (11 December, 9:30am-10:30am EST) for a presentation and discussion on the armed forces of Central Asia: daviscenter.fas.harvard.edu/events/armed...
The Armed Forces of Central Asia
Join us for a panel that examines the military force structures, budgets, and doctrines of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.
daviscenter.fas.harvard.edu
In this piece I argue that the dramatic events of 2022 upended the status quo in Kazakhstan-Russia relations. Astana must now address both long-standing vulnerabilities and new pressures in areas such as inter-elite relations, nuclear energy, and history writing. cacianalyst.org/resources/25...
In about an hour (9:30am EST), Bradley Jardine and Edward Lemon will present their new book "Backlash: China's Struggle for Influence in Central Asia." Join us! daviscenter.fas.harvard.edu/events/backl...
Backlash: China’s Struggle for Influence in Central Asia
In their new book Backlash: China's Struggle for Influence in Central Asia, Edward Lemon and Bradley Jardine show that China’s power projection is far from a one-way street—it is negotiated, resisted,...
daviscenter.fas.harvard.edu
ICYMI: Their deaths seem to have been conveniently overlooked by the authorities of today. Bne IntelliNews
PANNIER: Few will mourn passing of Turkmen Iron Lady Atajanova and Uzbek Grey Cardinal Jurabekov
Their deaths seem to have been conveniently overlooked by the authorities of today.
dlvr.it
We had an excellent discussion on Gazprom in Central Asia with Nicholas Pomeroy and Michael Hilliard. If you want to check it out, here's the link: www.youtube.com/live/iM_eJFP...
Gazprom in Central Asia: Between Geopolitical Influence and Energy Transition
YouTube video by Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies
youtube.com
📣 Today (9:30am-10:30am EST) we will talk about Gazprom in Central Asia - join us!
Nargis Kassenova@nargiskassenova.bsky.social · 11mo agoJoin us (Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies) next Friday (3 Oct) for an online event on Gazprom in Central Asia. Our speakers are Nicholas Pomeroy and Michael Hilliard. daviscenter.fas.harvard.edu/events/gazpr...
Join us (Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies) next Friday (3 Oct) for an online event on Gazprom in Central Asia. Our speakers are Nicholas Pomeroy and Michael Hilliard. daviscenter.fas.harvard.edu/events/gazpr...
Gazprom in Central Asia: Between Geopolitical Influence and Energy Transition
Join us for a panel on Gazprom’s shifting role in Central Asia, regional energy security, and the future of energy transition.
daviscenter.fas.harvard.edu
Earlier this summer, former U.S. Ambassador Richard Boucher, passed away. He'll be remembered as an astute observer of Central Asia. Back in 2021, Ambassador Boucher contributed a personal essay to the Davis Center/Eurasianet series. Pls give it a read: daviscenter.fas.harvard.edu/insights/whe...
Where Is Central Asia, Anyway?
A former top U.S. diplomat reflects on the many ways ex-Soviet Central Asia can be viewed from Washington — Russian dependency, Chinese sphere of influence, new global hub with links in all directions...
daviscenter.fas.harvard.edu
A new entry in the Ambassadors' Series on Central Asia, published by @eurasianet.bsky.social, spearheaded by @nargiskassenova.bsky.social of the Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies. Allan Mustard on the use of shoe leather diplomacy in Turkmenistan. eurasianet.org/memoir-recol...
Memoir: Recollecting the benefits of shoe leather diplomacy in Turkmenistan
Getting out, getting a feel for the place, and putting pins on a map.
eurasianet.org
So thrilled to share the new essay in our "American Diplomats in Central Asia" series developed in cooperation with @eurasianet.bsky.social - Amb. Allan Mustard's wonderful account of gathering firsthand information and mapping in Turkmenistan: eurasianet.org/memoir-recol...
Memoir: Recollecting the benefits of shoe leather diplomacy in Turkmenistan
Getting out, getting a feel for the place, and putting pins on a map.
eurasianet.org
Join our conversation with Azerbaijan's Ambassador Khazar Ibrahim on the evolving security landscape of the Caspian region, focusing on the transport and energy corridors (in 40 min): daviscenter.fas.harvard.edu/events/evolv...
The Evolving Security Landscape of the Caspian Sea Region
Join us to discuss the role of regional powers and the impact of energy resources on Caspian security with H.E. Ambassador Khazar Ibrahim.
daviscenter.fas.harvard.edu
Don't miss this exciting event tomorrow! Masha Salazkina will talk about her new book "Alliances, Affinities and Solidarities in the Global Cold War," focusing on the history of the Festival of Cinemas of Asia, Africa, and Latin America which took place in Tashkent, Soviet Union, in the 1960s-80s.
A fascinating webinar on China's role in Central Asia is just wrapping up. carnegieendowment.org/events/2025/... Asked about whether Chinese $ fuels corruption, @nargiskassenova.bsky.social states that Russians are bigger (but more hidden) driver. (And now Trump is removing limits on bribes, etc.)
Hard Power vs. Soft: China’s Evolving Role in Central Asia
Is China imposing its will on the world, or is the reality more nuanced? Many in the West, particularly in Washington, argue that China exerts global influence by disregarding local differences and i...
carnegieendowment.org
If you missed our conversation today about China's hard and soft power in Central Asia with @nargiskassenova.bsky.social, Berikbol Dukeyev & Odil Gafarov, you can watch the recording on @carnegieendowment.org YouTube: www.youtube.com/live/WJPe2xu...
The first of our #IndulgingKleptocracy book talks @harvard.edu Davis Center with @nargiskassenova.bsky.social is recorded and online. Thanks Nargis and Harvard colleagues for your great questions. www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2Ph...
Indulging Kleptocracy: Postcommunist Elites and Corruption
YouTube video by Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies
youtube.com
March 13, in person, Cambridge, MA. Thank you for this important contribution, @hellogera.bsky.social!: daviscenter.fas.harvard.edu/events/film-...
Film Screening: 'JARA — Radioactive Patriarchy: Women of Qazaqstan'
This film sheds light on the stories of six women from a nuclear-affected community in Kazakhstan. It explores topics such as technology-driven and state-sponsored gender-based violence, as well as th...
daviscenter.fas.harvard.edu
