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

Following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and 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, 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 is how President Trump’s evolving worldview, including his overtures to Russia and China, will affect 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 the Central Asia 5 – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan? Join us to discuss these questions following the keynote address by Dr. Marsha McGraw Olive, faculty of Johns Hopkins SAIS, on Strains and Potential Gains: Trump’s Evolving Worldview and the Future of Central Asia.

Event Speakers

Marsha McGraw Olive: Professorial Lecturer, Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies

Host or Publisher Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies