Strains and Potential Gains: Trump’s Evolving Worldview and the Future of Central Asia

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Special event
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In person
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S010 (Tsai Auditorium) CGIS South, 1730 Cambridge St., Cambridge Ma

Following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the emerging foreign and economic policies of President Trump have added a third shock that could fundamentally lead to a paradigm shift in Central Asia. After a hopeful beginning in the latest round of U.S. relations with the region's countries, including calls between President Trump and regional leaders and supportive testimony during the Senate confirmation testimony of Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the airwaves have been dominated by international crises and tariff levies, leaving it unclear when, if ever, the administration will upgrade the relationship. 

The critical question now is how President Trump’s evolving worldview, including his overtures to Russia and China, will affect both American interests and domestic political developments in this strategically located and endowed region. Will the administration’s anti-globalism and great power nationalism lead to greater or lesser American engagement with Central Asia? How should leaders respond in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan? 

Join us in discussing these and many more questions with Dr. Marsha McGraw Olive, a faculty member of Johns Hopkins SAIS. 

This talk is one of the keynote lectures at the Davis Center's Graduate Student Conference on Central Asia.

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The Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies at Harvard University encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact us at 617-495-4037 or daviscenter@fas.harvard.edu in advance of your participation or visit. Requests for Sign Language interpreters and/or CART providers should be made at least two weeks in advance if possible. Please note that the Davis Center will make every effort to secure services but that services are subject to availability.