E-International Relations: "Opinion – Moldova: Between Ambitious Plans and Present-Day Challenges"

 

 

 

"Moldova: Between Ambitious Plans and Present-Day Challenges"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Opinion

E-International Relations

8 May 2026

Published: https://www.e-ir.info/2026/05/08/opinion-moldova-between-ambitious-plans-and-present-day-challenges/ 

 Resolving the Republic of Moldova’s separatist issue and joining the European Union are the primary objectives of President Maia Sandu and her administration. Yet, the war between Russia and Ukraine is a constant reminder for Chisinau that there are serious, ever-present day threats to the country’s stability. Russian drones, water pollution, and energy security are daily threats and concerns for the Moldovan population and government; these challenges could also delay Moldova’s preparations for European Union membership. While Moldova has not become a target of the hostilities, incidents continue to occur. Specifically, suspected Russian uncrewed aerial systems (UAS, commonly known as drones) and missiles have been detected flying through Moldovan airspace, while some drones have crashed on Moldovan territory – a reminder that the frontlines of the war are not far away.

The National Interest: "Why Azerbaijan and Iran Stepped Away from Confrontation"

 

 

"Why Azerbaijan and Iran Stepped Away from Confrontation"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Silk Road Rivalries

The National Interest

25 April, 2026

Published: https://nationalinterest.org/blog/silk-road-rivalries/why-azerbaijan-and-iran-stepped-away-from-confrontation 

 

The presence of a large Azerbaijani community in Iran may have defused tensions between Baku and Tehran.

Whatever the future of the current war and Iran will be, the country’s neighbors will have to deal with the consequences and aftermath of this new conflict. One country that has a complex relationship with the Islamic Republic is the Republic of Azerbaijan.

When the war commenced, several analyses expressed concern that the conflict would spill over into the Caucasus and affect the already fragile relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. So far, this has not occurred as both Yerevan and Baku want to remain neutral.

Geopolitical Monitor: "Language Geopolitics: New Constitution Looks to Elevate Kazakh Vis-à-vis Russian"

 

"Language Geopolitics: New Constitution Looks to Elevate Kazakh Vis-à-vis Russian"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Opinion

Geopolitical Monitor

27 February, 2026

Published: https://www.geopoliticalmonitor.com/language-geopolitics-new-constitution-looks-to-elevate-kazakh-vis-a-vis-russian/

 On March 15, the citizens of Kazakhstan will vote in a referendum for a new Constitution. The new document pays significant attention to sovereignty, an important concept across Eurasia (and in Europe too). Moreover, the Constitution will establish the Kazakh language as the country’s dominant language. This is not just a symbolic decision; it will affect the future education of Kazakhstanis, their national identity, and is already affecting relations with the country’s large northern neighbor.

 

Anadolu "Is Elon Musk’s Starlink a national security threat?"

 

"Is Elon Musk’s Starlink a national security threat?"

By Efe Ozkan

Anadolu News Agency

16 February, 2026

Published: https://x.com/anadoluagency/status/2023407267299959033  

Also available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/kwJiihD3JVY?si=ai80cy900os5z7gj

Geopolitical Monitor: "Will a Post-Dictatorship Iran Treat Ethnic Azerbaijanis Better?"

 

"Will a Post-Dictatorship Iran Treat Ethnic Azerbaijanis Better?"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Opinion

Geopolitical Monitor

4 February, 2026

Published: https://www.geopoliticalmonitor.com/will-a-post-dictatorship-iran-treat-ethnic-azerbaijanis-better/ 

 The population of Iran continues to take to the streets, demanding liberty, a better life, and dignity. Similarly, the Iranian government continues to resort to repressive and violent counter-measures to crack down on protesters. At the time of writing, the number of deaths number is estimated in the thousands. It is still unclear whether the Iranian government will remain in power – Tehran has survived other major uprisings in recent years – or if a transition will occur.

It is important to keep in mind that Iran has a very diverse population. Persians comprise the majority, but there are many minorities and ethnic groups. Tehran’s repressive activities make no distinction among protesters. This analysis will discuss the ongoing Iran crisis by focusing on the Azerbaijani population of Iran, a critical factor in the ongoing protests.

KazInform: "The government must adapt to the new realities, says an American expert" / Правительство должно адаптироваться к новым реалиям — американский эксперт "

  

"Правительство должно адаптироваться к новым реалиям — американский эксперт" or "The government must adapt to the new realities, says an American expert"

By Rustem Kozhybaev

 KazInform

29 January, 2026

Published: https://www.inform.kz/ru/pravitelstvo-dolzhno-adaptirovatsya-k-novim-realiyam-amerikanskiy-ekspert

 

Правительство — живой организм, и оно должно развиваться и адаптироваться к новым внутренним и глобальным реалиям. Аналогичным образом, все государственные учреждения должны быть модернизированы для более эффективного выполнения своих обязанностей, заявил Уайлдер Алехандро Санчес, президент консалтинговой фирмы «Second Floor Strategies LLC» в Вашингтоне, комментируя политические преобразования в Казахстане, анонсированные на V Национальном курултае, собственному корреспонденту агентства Kazinform.

 

 

The Diplomat: " The Feasibility of Kazakhstan’s Digitalization Ambitions "

 

 "The Feasibility of Kazakhstan’s Digitalization Ambition"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

The Diplomat 

Crossroads

14 January, 2026

Published: https://thediplomat.com/2026/01/the-feasibility-of-kazakhstans-digitalization-ambitions/ 

Tokayev is committed to making Kazakhstan “fully digital within the next three years,” but what exactly does that mean, and are the government and people of Kazakhstan ready?

 

 

Kazinform: "The US-Venezuela Conflict: What's Happening Between the Countries?" / " Конфликт США и Венесуэлы: что происходит между странами"

 

"The US-Venezuela Conflict: What's Happening Between the Countries?" / "Конфликт США и Венесуэлы: что происходит между странам"

 By: Рустем Кожыбаев 

KazInform

10 October, 2025

Published: https://www.inform.kz/ru/konflikt-ssha-i-venesueli-chto-proishodit-mezhdu-stranami-c758b8 

Американские военные 3 октября в четвертый раз атаковали морское судно у берегов Венесуэлы, в результате чего погиб экипаж корабля, подозреваемого в перевозке наркотиков в Карибском море. В причинах эскалации напряженности между США и Венесуэлой разбирался собственный корреспондент агентства Кazinform.  

On October 3, the US military attacked a vessel off the coast of Venezuela for the fourth time, killing the crew of the vessel, which was suspected of smuggling drugs in the Caribbean. Kazinform's own correspondent investigated the reasons for the escalating tensions between the US and Venezuela.

International Policy Digest: "Kazakhstan 2.0: Tokayev’s High-Speed Bid to Digitize a Petrostate"

 

 

"Kazakhstan 2.0: Tokayev’s High-Speed Bid to Digitize a Petrostate"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

International Policy Digest

7 October 

Published: https://intpolicydigest.org/kazakhstan-2-0-tokayev-s-high-speed-bid-to-digitize-a-petrostate/ 

The 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly is over, and the familiar churn of speeches will fuel analysts for weeks. But Astana isn’t waiting on New York.

In his State of the Nation address, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev set out a domestic agenda for the second half of the decade—an attempt to steer Kazakhstan through a volatile era by marrying digital transformation with targeted investment and institutional reform. “The world has entered a new historical era,” he warned, one that will test governments that fail to adapt.

 

KazInform: " Как будут развиваться отношения Казахстана и США " / "How will relations between Kazakhstan and the United States develop?"

 

" Как будут развиваться отношения Казахстана и США" / "How will relations between Kazakhstan and the United States develop?"

 By: Rustem Kozhybaev

KazInform

10 July, 2025

Published: https://www.inform.kz/ru/kak-budut-razvivatsya-otnosheniya-kazahstana-i-ssha-b04dc1 

 Какой политики ожидать от администрации Дональда Трампа в отношении Казахстана в условиях завершения в текущем году Стратегии США по Центральной Азии на 2019-2025 году – в материале собственного корреспондента агентства Кazinform.  

Какой будет новая стратегия

Стратегия США была принята во время первого срока президенства Дональда Трампа в 2019 году, и теперь вновь его администрация будет определять внешнеполитический курс США в отношении стран Центральной Азии.

Президент консалтинговой фирмы «Second Floor Strategies» Уайлдер Алехандро Санчес поделился мнением о том, как может измениться новая стратегия в отношении нашего региона.

 

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What policy can be expected from the Donald Trump administration towards Kazakhstan in the context of the completion of the US Strategy for Central Asia for 2019-2025 this year – in the material of the Kazinform agency’s own correspondent.

What will the new strategy be

The US strategy was adopted during Donald Trump's first term in 2019, and now his administration will once again determine the US foreign policy course towards the countries of Central Asia.

President of the consulting firm Second Floor Strategies Wilder Alejandro Sanchez shared his opinion on how the new strategy for our region may change.

 

 

 

 

C-IED Report: "Landmine Removal in Post-Conflict Azerbaijan"

 

"Landmine Removal in Post-Conflict Azerbaijan" 

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Counter-IED Report

Spring/Summer 2025

P. 73-78

Available: https://counteriedreport.com/spring-summer-2025-edition-of-the-counter-ied-report-magazine-is-now-available-to-read-online-and-in-print/

The Geopolitics: "Arrested British Brings Spotlight to Iranian Arbitrary Imprisonment and Executions"

 

"Arrested British Brings Spotlight to Iranian Arbitrary Imprisonment and Executions"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

The Geopolitics

3 March, 2025

Published: https://thegeopolitics.com/arrested-british-brings-spotlight-to-iranian-arbitrary-imprisonment-and-executions/

Two British citizens, Craig and Lindsay Foreman, have been detained by Iranian authorities, which accuses them of being spies. Unless released, the couple could spend years in jail and even face the death penalty – Iran executed around 901 individuals in 2024 alone, according to the United Nations.

While the arrest of the two British citizens could cause a diplomatic incident between London and Tehran, it will, hopefully, bring attention to Iran’s very unfair and severely biased “justice” system. Foreigners are regarded with suspicion and distrust by authorities, but the same attitude is applied to the general population, and particularly to non-Fars citizens, such as Azerbaijani Turks & Kurds, or members of religions other than Shia, like the Baháʼí Faith.  One of the forms of pressure applied against thousands of political prisoners arrested and currently in detention centers and prisons is  access to basic human rights necessities like adequate medical care or the possibility to contact family members.

The Diplomatic Courier: "Understanding Iran’s oppressive policies against Azerbaijani Turks"

 

 

"Understanding Iran’s oppressive policies against Azerbaijani Turks"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

The Diplomatic Courier

5 February, 2025

Published: https://www.diplomaticourier.com/posts/irans-oppressive-policies-against-azerbaijani-turks

Azerbaijani Turks in Iran endure discrimination and cultural oppression. Changes in Tehran have not improved the situation, and the future looks grim, writes Wilder Alejandro Sánchez.

 

The Diplomat: " Trump 2.0 and Central Asia: Optimism After Rubio’s Comments"

 

 

 

"Trump 2.0 and Central Asia: Optimism After Rubio’s Comment"

 Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Crossroads Asia

Central Asia

27 January 2025

Published: https://thediplomat.com/2025/01/trump-2-0-and-central-asia-optimism-after-rubios-comments/

 During his nomination hearing last week, now-Secretary of State Marco Rubio endorsed the annulment of the Jackson-Vanik amendment, although its removal is ultimately a Congressional task.

 

Geopolitical Monitor: "Kazakhstan Aims to Protect the Blue while Going Green"

 

"Kazakhstan Aims to Protect the Blue while Going Green"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Situation Report

Geopolitical Monitor

14 September 2023

Originally published: https://www.geopoliticalmonitor.com/kazakhstan-aims-to-protect-the-blue-while-going-green/

Kazakhstani President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev gave a speech on 1 September focusing on economic issues and domestic development. Some key energy and environmental issues were discussed that are particularly noteworthy, given the globe’s climate and environmental challenges: Astana will focus more heavily on protecting the country’s water resources, which has an unavoidable foreign policy component. Moreover, the Kazakhstani government aims to turn to green energy and is similarly considering nuclear power.

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Geopolitical Monitor: Paraguay and Titanium: Failure to Launch?

 

"Paraguay and Titanium: Failure to Launch?"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Situation Reports

Geopolitical Monitor 

01 August, 2023

Originally published: https://www.geopoliticalmonitor.com/paraguay-and-titanium-failure-to-launch/

“Paraguay will become the center of global titanium production,” was the headline of a November 2010 article in the BBC. Almost a decade and a half later, titanium production in Paraguay has yet to begin. Even more, by the own admittance of the country’s authorities, they are not sure how much titanium there is in the Alto Paraná department, where the deposits are located. Prospecting continues, but no public plans or timelines are available regarding when titanium production will commence, if ever.

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Geopolitical Monitor: Colombia’s Nickel Reserves: A Blessing and Curse

 

"Colombia’s Nickel Reserves: A Blessing and Curse"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Situation Report

Geopolitical Monitor

19 July, 2023

Originally published: https://www.geopoliticalmonitor.com/colombias-nickel-reserves-a-blessing-and-curse/

The Colombian government is eager to expand and diversify the country’s mining industry by exploiting critical minerals, including nickel, which is currently solely mined in Cerro Matoso. As global demand for this critical mineral reminds high, nickel can be very profitable for Colombia’s mining industry and economy; however, we cannot overlook issues related to nickel mining, including environmental destruction and health problems for workers and local inhabitants. Even violence has become commonplace around Cerro Matoso.

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Geopolitical Monitor: Lithium Industry: US Senate Approves Critical Tax Treaty with Chile

 

"Lithium Industry: US Senate Approves Critical Tax Treaty with Chile"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Situation Report

Geopolitical Monitor

7 July, 2023

Originally published: https://www.geopoliticalmonitor.com/lithium-industry-us-senate-approves-critical-tax-treaty-with-chile/

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Expediente Abierto: "Acercamiento en materia de defensa y seguridad de China con Centroamérica y el Caribe"

 

"Acercamiento en materia de defensa y seguridad de China con Centroamérica y el Caribe"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Reporte

Expediente Abierto

31 de Mayo, 2023

Publicado:  https://www.expedienteabierto.org/acercamiento-en-materia-de-defensa-y-seguridad-de-china-con-centroamerica-y-el-caribe/

A pesar de los esfuerzos del gobierno de China por proveer armamento y equipos militares a Latinoamérica y el Caribe, la incidencia de sus acercamientos respecto al sector de seguridad y defensa es limitada. China ha transferido por medio de donaciones, tecnología y equipos para las fuerzas policiales y de seguridad pública de la región. Beijing también ha sido exitoso en establecer acuerdos de cooperación de defensa con la región, incluyendo el entrenamiento de personal militar latinoamericano en Asia. Sin embargo, países centroamericanos y caribeños no han comprado equipo militar, como también ha sido la generalidad en Latinoamérica, que prefiere adquirir sus equipos con socios más tradicionales (salvo Venezuela y Bolivia).

Militant Wire: Ecuador Confronts a Storm of Violence

 

"Ecuador Confronts a Storm of Violence"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Militant Wire

01 June, 2023

Originally published: https://www.militantwire.com/p/ecuador-confronts-a-storm-of-violence

Ecuador is experiencing a wave of violence. The armed forces have been sent to the streets to support police forces to maintain control and peace. However, an incident in late April, in which over ten people were killed and several injured during a shootout in Guayaquil, demonstrates that the Ecuadorian defense and security forces have a long war ahead of them.

To worsen the situation, the violence occurs during a period of political turmoil, as President Guillermo Lasso announced on 17 May his decision to dissolve the opposition-controlled National Assembly and call for early elections.

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