GWU: "Water Security and Transboundary Cooperation in Central Asia"

 

 "Water Security and Transboundary Cooperation in Central Asia"

Tuesday, December 9th, 2025

11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. (EST)

Event link: https://gwu-edu.zoom.us/j/95608929040

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdIBX-x6uyrlcSRgq846lpddY07aIwCFiAxDzExPbcqPhiACw/viewform 

This seminar will examine the complex dynamics of managing shared water resources in the region, including challenges of transboundary governance and cooperation asymmetries among riparian states. The discussion will also explore opportunities for technological innovation and knowledge transfer to enhance water efficiency, resilience, and equitable access. By bringing together experts and practitioners, this seminar aims to shed light on how regional and international collaboration can contribute to sustainable water management and long-term environmental stability in Central Asia.

This seminar is part of a joint series by the Central Asia Program (CAP) and the Asian Economy Center of Civitas University (Warsaw) on environmental and sustainable development challenges in Central Asia. The series promotes dialogue and innovative policy thinking on how the region can advance sustainability amid complex geopolitical and economic transformations.

Moderator:

Katarzyna Skiert-Andrzejuk, Civitas University (Poland)

Speakers:

Wilder Alejandro Sánchez, Second Floor Strategies

The Caspian Sea at the Regional Ecological Summit 2026

 

 

Iskandar Abdullaev, International Water Management Institute (Uzbekistan)

Water in Central Asia: 30 Years of Transformations

Jenniver Sehring, Institute for Water Education (The Netherlands)

Transboundary water governance in Central Asia: old patterns and new dynamics

Rassima Salimbayeva, Narxoz University (Kazakhstan)

Environmental Governance and Water Management Between Kazakhstan and China

 

Timothy Randhir, University of Massachusetts Amherst (USA)

Multi-Scale Water Governance for Sustainability in Central Asia

 

 

NE Global "Mining in Iran: A problem that affects the oppressed Azerbaijani population"

 

 

"Mining in Iran: A problem that affects the oppressed Azerbaijani population"

Wilder Alejandro

NE Global

3 December, 2025

Published: https://www.neglobal.eu/mining-in-iran-a-problem-that-affects-the-oppressed-azerbaijani-population/

Two noteworthy events took place between late October and November. In late October, the head of the Iran Mine House, Mohammad Reza Bahraman, said, “Iran requires about €55 billion (around $59 billion) in new investment to achieve its planned 13 percent growth target for the mining sector.” Meanwhile, from 10-21 November, the COP30 climate change conference took place in Belém, Brazil.

The two events are obviously interlinked. The global demand for minerals is ever-growing, with rare earth elements and critical minerals being the latest obsession due to their widespread use in new technologies. However, mining is a very polluting and destructive industry. More environmentally friendly mining methods are being developed, but they are not yet widely implemented. Unsurprisingly, mining is closely linked to environmental destruction, and this extractive activity contributes to greenhouse gas emissions through methane releases

 

 

 

 

CIMSEC: "Increase Collaboration with South America to Protect U.S. Antarctic Interests"

 

 

"Increase Collaboration with South America to Protect U.S. Antarctic Interests"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez and William Muntean

25 November 2025 

Published: https://cimsec.org/increase-collaboration-with-south-america-to-protect-u-s-antarctic-interests/

 

The United States has significant national interests in Antarctica, but it currently lacks the maritime capacity to secure them. The United States sent more commercial vessels (42) and citizens (over 50,000) to the Southern Ocean than any other country during the 2023/2024 season. The United States, unlike many other nations, can also conduct unannounced inspections of stations and equipment in the region. However, the U.S. government is reducing its icebreaker capacity in the region by removing two vessels from service, continuing to rely on one heavy icebreaker that is beyond its expected service life. As of this writing, the United States has yet to take concrete steps to design and build appropriate vessels to ensure continued access in the region.

 

While Washington has acted to eventually address icebreaker shortcomings in the Arctic, it has not taken similar steps to protect its Antarctic interests. Therefore, as it starts the lengthy process of planning and building Polar Security Cutters for Antarctic operations, the United States should increase its collaboration with South American countries. Doing so will strengthen already-positive relations with key South American countries, protect American citizens and economic interests, and help the United States leverage Antarctic Treaty provisions to maintain peace in the region amid growing geopolitical interests. 

 

 

Turan Center: "Turkey Expands Global Defense Influence: From the Turkic World to Latin America"

 

"Turkey Expands Global Defense Influence: From the Turkic World to Latin America"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Turan Center

18 November, 2025

Published: https://www.turancenter.org/analysis/turkey-expands-global-defense-influence-from-the-turkic-world-to-latin-america 

Turkey’s defense industry is entering a new phase of global expansion—with Latin America emerging as its next strategic frontier. The recent delivery of Otokar vehicles to Ecuador and the ratification of a defense cooperation agreement with Brazil are recent developments in a potential attempt by Ankara to replicate its success in the Turkic world across the Western Hemisphere.

From Regional Power to Global Exporter

Global instability, advanced defense technologies, and new markets have ushered in a golden age for defense industries. Turkey, once a net importer of military hardware, is expanding its global footprint by selling to longstanding allies and new clients.