"In the long term, both the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline and the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline projects may provide Europe with new access to Africa’s gas reserves, helping to cut its dependence on traditional suppliers." My latest 🔽 businessday.ng/opinion/arti...

"The major winner of the Russian-Chinese gas deal will almost certainly be Beijing, purchasing Russian gas at below-market prices and making Moscow even more dependent on the People's Republic." My latest 🔽 www.scmp.com/opinion/worl...

"The SCO does have the capacity to develop joint economic projects and strengthen political and military ties among its members, but it is unlikely to displace the West – particularly the United States – as the leading global power." My latest🔽 theliberum.com/chinas-gains...

"Trump’s tariff policies have not only led to a deterioration in economic ties between the US and China, but have also pushed India – Beijing’s regional rival – to improve relations with its fellow Asian power." My latest 🔽 www.scmp.com/opinion/asia...

"The fact that Pashinyan agreed to grant the United States exclusive development rights to the 'Trump Corridor' land for 99 years clearly shows that it is Washington, rather than Yerevan, that benefits from the peace deal." My latest 🔽 armenianweekly.com/2025/08/16/f...

"Putin could be forced to make concessions to his American counterpart during their meeting on August 15 in Alaska. But will Moscow’s potential 'goodwill gestures' be enough to end the war in Ukraine?" My latest 🔽 theliberum.com/trump-vs-put...

Today I discussed the so-called Trump Corridor, the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace declaration, Russia’s declining influence in the South Caucasus, and what this could mean for Iran. 🔽 www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yUX...

"Since energy has traditionally been the main driver of Russia’s foreign policy, the country’s leadership is likely well aware of the long-term economic consequences if it becomes unable to sell its oil to India and China." My latest 🔽 harici.com.tr/en/is-russia...

‪"With Moscow bogged down in Ukraine, Washington has a unique opportunity to strengthen its presence in the strategically important South Caucasus." My latest @americanpurpose.bsky.social 🔽‬ www.persuasion.community/p/will-the-u...

Our @nikolamikovic.bsky.social observes that Ukraine intensifies diplomatic efforts in Central Asia, seeking support amid war with Russia, but faces economic and logistical challenges timesca.com/ukraine-eyes... #Ukraine #CentralAsia #Diplomacy #Geopolitics

"Kyiv is seeking the region’s de facto political support against Moscow, and aiming to rebuild trade relations with the former Soviet republics. But how do the Central Asian nations view Ukraine’s regional ambitions?" My latest @timesca.com 🔽 timesca.com/ukraine-eyes...

"The EU continues to view Beijing as a partner, competitor and rival simultaneously — a strategy that seems unsustainable in the long run. As a result, Europe is likely to seek a new approach to managing its trade with China." My latest 🔽 www.cnfocus.com/eu-and-china...

"American musicians' growing presence in Central Asia resembles socialist Yugoslavia’s opening toward the West, following the country’s 1948 split from the Soviet sphere of influence." My latest @lowyinstitute.bsky.social 🔽 www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...

“Russian singers seem to have a hard time balancing their political views with their careers, especially if they aim…” Read Nikola Mikovic in The Interpreter. https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/central-asia-s-new-playlist-sounds-russia-s-fading-cultural-influence

Our @nikolamikovic.bsky.social looks at how Afghanistan's railway ambitions could redefine Central Asia's trade routes, bridging regions and boosting connectivity timesca.com/steel-diplom... #Afghanistan #Railway #CentralAsia #RegionalTrade #InfrastructureDevelopment #Geopolitics #Connectivity

"Kazakhstan is now one of the ten main trading partners of Afghanistan. In the coming months and years, other regional countries are expected to follow Astana's path and normalize relations with the Taliban-led Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan." My latest @timesca.com 🔽 timesca.com/steel-diplom...

"The vast majority of foreign tourists who visit Kazakhstan go to Almaty, the country’s largest city, and Astana, the capital of the Central Asian nation. Since I have been to Astana several times, I wanted to explore some nearby places." My latest 🔽 theliberum.com/summer-speci...

"From Beijing’s perspective, it would be highly problematic if a Russian victory resulted from US President Donald Trump’s betrayal of Kyiv, however unlikely that seems." My latest🔽 www.scmp.com/opinion/worl...

"There are, indeed, many similarities between Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and the two Balkan autocrats - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and former Montenegrin leader Milo Djukanovic." My latest 🔽 theliberum.com/armenian-pre...

I joined a discussion on the geopolitical developments unfolding in the South Caucasus and Central Asia. ⬇️ m.youtube.com/watch?v=MIgR...

“Pashinyan’s crackdown on certain clergymen can be interpreted as an attempt to prepare the ground for the 2026 parliamentary elections.” My latest ⬇️ www.wgi.world/pashinyans-c...

"Given Trump’s unpredictability in foreign policy, it is not improbable that he will eventually push Central Asian states to pursue Ukraine-style energy deals with Washington." My latest 🔽 www.eurasiareview.com/30062025-can...

"The Russian Federation and the Islamic Republic of Iran may ultimately share the same fate: defeat. That, however, is unlikely to happen in the near future." My latest 🔽 theliberum.com/russia-iran-...

"If Russia does not achieve its goals in Ukraine, Central Asian states are likely to keep distancing themselves from Moscow. Such an outcome will almost certainly give China even more room to achieve some of its geopolitical goals in the energy-rich region." My latest🔽 www.scmp.com/opinion/asia...

“Given that energy has traditionally been the main driver of Russia's foreign policy, Rosatom's business in Kazakhstan demonstrates that Moscow will continue to orient its geopolitical vector eastward.” My latest ⬇️ news.cgtn.com/news/2025-06...

Our @nikolamikovic.bsky.social looks at how China is expanding its economic influence and strategic reach in Central Asia, vying for dominance amid shifting global powers timesca.com/is-central-a... #CentralAsia #China #GlobalInfluence #AsiaPolitics #BeltAndRoad #Geopolitics #ChinaInAsia

"As Russia remains preoccupied with the war in Ukraine and the United States is focused on the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict, China is seeking to increase its presence in Central Asia." My latest @timesca.com 🔽 timesca.com/is-central-a...

“Iran and Russia – the axis of the impotent – are on their own against their opponents: Israel, firmly allied by the United States and de facto supported by neighboring Arab states; and Ukraine, strongly backed by the entire Western world.” My latest ⬇️ www.wgi.world/isolation-an...

I addressed Ukraine’s offensive against Russian airfields and dismantled the narrative I label as “Putin’s cunning plan.”⬇️ m.youtube.com/watch?v=4lYT...

"The Taliban appear to be aiming to revive nearly all previously announced projects of regional and interregional importance. In doing so, they hope to attract foreign investment." My latest @timesca.com 🔽 timesca.com/interview-ta...

"Central Asia’s rich energy resources and strategically important location are making it a key area of interest for major world powers. Moscow's preoccupation with the war in Ukraine opened the door for other actors to expand their influence in the region." My latest harici.com.tr/en/central-a...

“Kazakhstan – the world’s largest uranium producer – is interested in importing beryllium, a critical mineral used in telecommunications, semiconductors, aerospace, and defense industries, from Rwanda to meet the needs of its uranium giant, Kazatomprom.” My latest ⬇️ www.wgi.world/kazakhstans-...

Our @nikolamikovic.bsky.social reports Italy deepens ties with Kazakhstan as strategic partnerships in trade, energy, and connectivity take center stage at the Astana International Forum timesca.com/kazakhstan-i... #AIF2025 #Italy #Kazakhstan #StrategicPartnerships #TradePartnership #Astana

Our @nikolamikovic.bsky.social reports on the diplomatic dance: Kazakhstan strengthens global ties and balances diplomacy to solidify its role as a rising middle power timesca.com/kazakhstans-... #Kazakhstan #MiddlePower #GlobalDiplomacy #CentralAsia

"Kazakhstan is one of the richest countries in the world in terms of natural resources. This makes it a nation of significant interest to Italy. But from the Kazakh perspective, it is important that this cooperation be mutually beneficial." My latest @timesca.com 🔽 timesca.com/kazakhstan-i...

Our @nikolamikovic.bsky.social sees Kazakhstan positioning itself as a leader in multilateral reform and global diplomacy timesca.com/can-kazakhst... #Kazakhstan #GlobalDiplomacy #MultilateralReform #CentralAsia

"Astana sees not only the European Union but also the EU candidate countries as potential partners. Still, for Kazakhstan – a major oil and gas producer – energy plays an important role in its foreign policy strategy." My latest @timesca.com 🔽 timesca.com/kazakhstans-...

“Both sides will be preparing for a summer military campaign, although they are expected to continue to create the illusion that a lasting peace deal without defeating the opponent is possible.” My latest ⬇️ harici.com.tr/en/russia-uk...

"A potential peace or ceasefire deal, though unlikely, will only temporarily freeze the Ukraine conflict, regardless of how it is framed. Bloody battles are yet to come." My latest🔽 theliberum.com/the-illusion...

"What most leaders attending this Victory Day parade in Moscow have in common is an ambition to pursue a balanced foreign policy, aiming to maintain good relations with all key actors in the international order." My latest 🔽 news.cgtn.com/news/2025-05...

Our @nikolamikovic.bsky.social observes Central Asia is gearing up to power the future with green energy, but it needs global investment to make it happen timesca.com/hold-central... #CentralAsia #GreenEnergy #Globalinvestment

"Most Central Asian states are aiming to significantly increase the use of renewable energy. But the path toward a green energy transition in the region is not without challenges." My latest @timesca.com 🔽 timesca.com/hold-central...

"The Ukrainian armed forces are likely to use Putin’s preoccupation with the Victory Day parade to strike not Moscow, but other targets - whether in Russia or Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine. My latest🔽 www.scmp.com/opinion/chin...

“Given that Kyiv’s European backers do not seem to support Trump’s proposal, it remains highly uncertain if Moscow and Kyiv will reach a lasting ceasefire deal anytime soon.” My latest ⬇️ www.scoontv.com/has-zelensky...

"China seems serious in its ambitions to strengthen its influence in Central Asia, fully aware that it will face strong competition." My latest 🔽 www.wgi.world/chinas-quiet...

"The Kremlin does not have much choice but to continue bringing labour migrants to Russia, be they from Central Asia, the South Caucasus, or elsewhere." My latest 🔽 theliberum.com/putins-migra...

Our @nikolamikovic.bsky.social observes Kazakhstan is rising as a key player in the global order, balancing powers like China, Russia, the EU, and the U.S. with its bold multivector foreign policy timesca.com/how-tokayevs... #Kazakhstan #CentralAsia #EurasianGeopolitics #ForeignPolicyAnalysis

"For Kazakhstan under Tokayev, the well-known multi-vector foreign policy remains without an alternative at this point. That, however, does not mean that 'multivectorism' has become Astana’s official ideology." My latest @timesca.com 🔽 timesca.com/how-tokayevs...

Our @nikolamikovic.bsky.social Reflects on how Russia grapples with rising anti-migrant sentiment while relying on Central Asian workers to fill critical labor gaps timesca.com/essential-bu... #Russia #MigrantWorkers #CentralAsia #MigrationPolicy #Workforce

"The Kremlin must strike a delicate balance between the growing anti-migrant sentiment in the country and its ambitions to preserve the remnants of its influence in Central Asia." My latest @timesca.com 🔽 timesca.com/essential-bu...