Tuesday, September 30, 2014, from 5 PM to 7 PM
CACI Forum / Book Launch
"Putin's Grand Strategy: The Eurasian Union and Its Discontents"
New book on Putin's objectives and tactics in Eurasia
Over the past year we have assembled a group of leading American and European experts to produce the first book-length study of Russian President Vladimir Putin's effort to create an Eurasian Union. The book indicates the ideological origins and character of this project, focusing not only on Putin's strategic objectives, but also the tactics he employs to achieve them.
The volume stresses the high degree of coordination that has been achieved among sectors of the Russian state that are accustomed to function as sovereign bureaucracies. Subsequent chapters analyze the response of eleven post-Soviet states to Putin's initiative, as well as the attitudes of China, Europe and the United States towards the initiative. The book suggests that Putin’s effort, if successful, would jeopardize the gains of two decades of independence in countries ranging from Moldova to Tajikistan. At the same time, however, the book traces processes by which those countries potentially affected have already worked to limit, dilute, and even undermine the union before it comes into being.
Monday, September 8, 2014, from 5 PM to 7 PM
CACI Forum
"Looking Forward: Kazakhstan and the United States"
On September 8, Dr. Fatima Kukeyeva and Dr. Askar Nursha (Kazakhstan), together with Dr. Svante Cornell, Dr. Frederick Starr, and Mr. Enders Wimbush (U.S.), authors of the comprehensive report "Looking Forward: Kazakhstan and the United States," will discuss the future of this important strategic partnership. The forum will explore the Kazakhstan-U.S. relationship in the context of recent geopolitical developments in the region, including Ukraine.
Tuesday, June 10 2014
CACI Forum
"The Ukraine Crisis, the Northern Distribution Network, and Continental Transport"
On June 10, CACI Forum's guest speaker, Dr. Andris Spruds, co-editor of an important new book on the Northern Distribution Network linking the Baltic and Afghanistan, will discuss the future of this network, including its prospective commercialization beyond 2014. He is joined by Dr. S. Frederick Starr, a chapter contributor to the book. Attendees are invited to participate in a wide-ranging discussion exploring the broad impact of events in Ukraine on this continental corridor, and on the emerging network of transport, trade, and security alliances in the Caucasus and Central Asia.
Thursday, 01 May 2014
CACI Forum
"E-Government and Anti-Corruption in Azerbaijan: the ASAN Centers"
In 2012, the Azerbaijan State Agency for Public Service and Social Innovations (known as ASAN-"Easy Service") began delivering a wide range of public services to citizens and businesses. At present, ASAN facilitates the delivery of more than 150 services from 10 differententities and over 30 services by private companies in the form of PPP at its facilities. The Agency’s aim is to guarantee uniform, efficient and transparent service and to be an example of integrity for the public sector. Dr. Karimov will discuss the experience of this Agency and its future prospects.
Dr. Inam Karimov is Chairman of the State Agency for Public Service and Social Innovations under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Previously, he worked as advisor (2002–2004) and senior advisor (2004–2012) at the Presidential Administration. 2005 to 2012, he was Secretary of the country’s anti-corruption commission and Head of the Azerbaijani Delegation in the Council of Europe’s GRECO (Group of States Against Corruption), where he was rapporteur on the situation of corruption in several Council of Europe member-states. Inam Karimov holds a Bachelor’s degree in law from the University of Strasbourg and a LL.M. and Ph.D. from Sorbonne University.