Podcast Episode 🎧

Akram Umarov: Central Asia’s Central Role

Akram Umarov discusses Uzbekistan’s political landscape, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and the country’s evolving relations with Russia, China, and the U.S.

Featuring Peter Slezkine Host

Russia

November 29, 2024

What defines Uzbekistan’s approach to international politics, and how does it navigate relationships with major powers like Russia, China, and the United States?

This week on The Trialogue, we speak with Akram Umarov, First Vice Rector at the University of World Economy and Diplomacy and Deputy Director of the Institute for Advanced International Studies in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Our discussion covers Uzbekistan’s political landscape, its attitude toward the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), and its diplomatic ties with key global players.

We explore:

Uzbekistan’s relations with its Central Asian neighbors

The country’s historical and strategic connections with Russia and China

Whether China and Russia will compete for influence in Central Asia

How Uzbekistan engages with the United States

Japan’s growing interest in the region

With a unique geopolitical position and a history of balancing external influences, Uzbekistan offers valuable insight into the evolving power dynamics of Central Asia.