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Among Central Asia's five republics, Kyrgyzstan occupies a unique position. It is the region's smallest open political system, its most politically volatile state, and increasingly one of China's most important strategic neighbors. Unlike resource-rich Kazakhstan or gas-dependent Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan offers Beijing something far less tangible but arguably just as valuable: geography.

Among Central Asia's five republics, Turkmenistan is perhaps the most enigmatic. It possesses the world's fourth-largest proven natural gas reserves, follows a policy of permanent neutrality recognized by the United Nations, and remains one of the most politically isolated countries in the world. Yet despite this isolation, Turkmenistan has become indispensable to one global power: China.

For decades, Kazakhstan has dominated discussions about Central Asia. Its vast territory, abundant natural resources and strategic location have made it the region's most recognizable state. Yet while much of the world's attention remained fixed on Kazakhstan's oil fields, another country quietly began transforming itself. Increasingly, the future political and economic center of gravity of Central Asia may lie several hundred kilometers to the south – in Uzbekistan. Unlike Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan's greatest strategic asset is not energy. It is people.

In the last few decades, terrorist attacks have increased significantly across the globe, and media coverage has expanded alongside them. For many Europeans, names such as ISIS and Al-Qaeda came to define the public perception of terrorism, dominating headlines and shaping security debates for years. However, the reality is far more complex. Contemporary terrorism extends well beyond a handful of well-known organizations, involving a diverse range of actors, motivations, ideologies, and regional dynamics that cannot be understood through a single lens. Have you ever heard of the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM)? The group, composed primarily of Uyghur militants originating from China's Xinjiang region, has operated across several countries over the years, with its members and affiliated networks appearing in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and other parts of Central and South Asia.

For years, Kazakhstan has been described primarily as an energy powerhouse. Rich in oil, gas and uranium, the country is frequently portrayed as little more than a supplier of strategic commodities to global markets. While this narrative is not incorrect, it misses the much larger geopolitical reality. China does not simply need Kazakhstan for its natural resources—it needs Kazakhstan as the indispensable bridge connecting East Asia with Europe. Without Kazakhstan, Beijing's vision of a connected Eurasian continent would remain largely theoretical.

In the last couple of years, international attention surrounding Iran has often focused on its strained relationship with the West, the nuclear program and the regional swings shaped by its proxies. However, one of the country's most significant internal dynamics receives far less attention: the millions of ethnic Azeris living inside Iran.

Kazakhstan is a very important player in terms of resources, hence in the global energy architecture. The country is a significant producer of crude oil and natural gas, coal, and is a relatively important energy exporter. While Kazakhstan's energy mix still largely depends on fossils, strengthening the availability of renewable sources is an important policy objective. This article examines why Kazakhstan can play an important role in European energy aspirations.

The relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan, and especially with the Taliban, has undergone a significant transformation over the past three decades. We can therefore state that the escalation of this conflict has been a recurring risk for years.

In recent years, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has popularized the concept of the "Three Renaissances of Uzbekistan" to define the nation’s historical achievements and prospects for renewal. Marking his first ten years in office, this period has seen significant political, economic, and social reforms that have reshaped Uzbekistan's landscape and international standing. Blanka Benkő-Kovács's article on this topic was published on the LCTS website.

Considering the list of the most influential geopolitical thinkers of the past centuries, Halford Mackinder undoubtedly stands out as one of the most transformative figures in the field. His publication, titled the "The Geographical Pivot of History", which later was revised in the "Democratic Ideals and Reality", known as the Heartland theory, might be decisive when evaluating today's connectivity initiatives. In this article, we examine whether his statement "Who rules East Europe commands the Heartland, who rules the Heartland commands the World-Island, who rules the World-Island commands the world" still stands.

In the last few years, Azerbaijan has emerged as one of the European Union's prospective, alternative energy partners in the aftermath of the Russian‒Ukrainian war. Through the Southern Gas Corridor and the expansion of gas exports toward Europe, Baku has strengthened its geopolitical relevance while presenting itself as a reliable supplier in an increasingly fragmented energy landscape. Yet the country's long-term role in Europe's diversification strategy should be assessed without illusions.

The war on Iran has consequences that reach far beyond the battlefield and the Persian country itself. What in the first days might appear to be a regional military escalation has increasingly evolved into a broader geopolitical, economic, and energy crisis with global implications. From disrupted energy markets and rising inflation to declining public trust and accelerating geopolitical fragmentation, the effects of the war are already being felt across continents – specifically in Europe.

Our founder, Benkő-Kovács Blanka, spoke on LiveNOW from FOX about the Iran war, the fragile ceasefire, and the expected consequences.

Many were surprised that Turkic countries were included in Donald Trump’s Board of Peace. However, it is nothing to be surprised by. In the age of enhanced connectivity, prosperity in neighboring countries cannot be understood without each other and this is especially true for the Turkic World and the Middle East.

Water is a critical, often-overlooked national security issue nowadays. World Bank data even shows that 40% of global freshwater demand is projected to exceed supply by the end of this decade. It can therefore be stated that it is not a problem to be neglected. Especially for certain parts of the globe, for instance in the Middle East and in Central Asia. And there are particularly vulnerable countries where the water issue itself is already a security threat. Namely Iran and Uzbekistan. But why does water unrest look so different in these countries? The new op-ed on this issue written by Blanka Benkő-Kovács was published on the LCTS website.

As Europe accelerates its search for diversified energy cooperation, Uzbekistan stands out as a pivotal player with substantial natural gas reserves and growing renewable capacity.

The first part of a series examining the energy policy significance of Turkic countries, focusing on Türkiye's role in European energy security.

The Caspian Sea, just like on the map, sits at the center of Eurasia's connectivity ambitions, yet it is more likely a valve rather than a bridge. In recent years, a number of Trans-Caspian projects have faced serious obstacles. But what exactly are these barriers, and what could unlock them to build a real bridge across the Caspian?

For the past few years, the Middle Corridor, also known as the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), has referred to a practical idea: moving freight between Western China and Europe via Central Asia and the Caucasus, then through Türkiye – mainly by rail, with a maritime leg in the middle.