Across the Muslim world, religion and politics have become increasingly mixed in the past century, with devastating consequences. But there are signs that the ascendancy of political Islam may be coming to an end. In this context, the experience of Central Asia and Azerbaijan as Muslim-majority states that insist on secular laws, courts and education is a much-overlooked model that is bound to attract greater interest. THE NEW SECULARISM is the first study of the Central Asian model in the realm of the interaction of religion and the state, which examines its characteristics as well as how it relates to other frequently touted models in the Muslim world
Join us for the book launch and a discussion of CACI director Svante Cornell's "The New Secularism in the Muslim World: Religion and the State in Central Asia and Azerbaijan."
WHEN: October 4, 2023 4:00-5:30 PM
WHERE: American Foreign Policy Council - 509 C Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002
On September 19, President Joe Biden met with Central Asian Presidents at a C5+1 summit in New York. This marks the first time an American president has sat down with the combined leaders of this region. What will come out of this positive step in U.S. policy toward Central Asia? What should happen next? This CACI Online Forum delves into these matters.
Scroll down to watch the recording of the webinar.
Panelists:
- H.E. Furqat Sidikov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Uzbekistan to the United States of America
- Dr. S. Frederick Starr, Chairman, Central Asia-Caucasus Institute
- Mr. S. Enders Wimbush, Distinguished Fellow for Strategic Studies, American Foreign Policy Council
Moderator:
- Dr. Svante Cornell, Director, Central Asia-Caucasus Institute
WHEN: Thursday, September 28 - 10:00 - 11:00 AM EST
Central Asia is often portrayed through metaphors such as a “Grand Chessboard” or a “Great Game,” a perspective that denies agency to the regional states. But today, it is clear that Central Asian states are capable of defining their individual and joint interests and translating them into concrete programs. This has profound implications for the United States and Europe, who can take stock of this process to expand their partnership with Central Asian states.
Join CACI Chairman S. Frederick Starr and Director Svante Cornell for a webinar discussing their latest co-authored Silk Road Studies Paper, Stepping up to the “Agency Challenge”: Central Asian Diplomacy in a Time of Troubles (July 2023).
Scroll down to watch the full video.
Join us for a hybrid forum co-organized by the CAMCA Forum founders:
Two years after the Taliban gained power in Afghanistan no country has recognized its government and its leadership remains under international sanctions. However, dozens of countries, including Russia and China, have exchanged sub-ambassadorial officials with Kabul. Several international projects are underway, and donors still provide Afghanistan with millions of dollars for humanitarian purposes—all this as Taliban rulers continue to impose severe restrictions targeting girls, women, and minorities, and brutally crack down on all forms of dissent.
You are invited to join a panel discussion that will assess the current challenges facing the U.S. and its partners in dealing with Taliban-ruled Afghanistan. Topics will include options for alleviating the suffering of the Afghan people without helping their rulers.
Panelists:
Ali Ahmad Jalali, Distinguished Professor, Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies, National Defense University
Farishta Sakhi, Project Director, Freedom House; CAMCA Network Member
Scott Worden, Director, Afghanistan and Central Asia Programs, United States Institute of Peace
Sami Mahdi, Editor-in-Chief, Amu TV; CAMCA Network Member
Moderator: S. Frederick Starr, Chairman, Central Asia-Caucasus Institute at the American Foreign Policy Council
When: Tuesday August 15, 2023 from 3:30-5:00 PM EST. Registration and light refreshments begin at 3:00 PM.
Where: American Foreign Policy Council, 509 C Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002 and via Zoom
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Click here to register to attend via Zoom.