By German Army Lt. Col. Ulrich Janßen
Central Asia Program
George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies

ASTANA, Republic of Kazakhstan (Aug. 26, 2016) – The George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies Central Asia Program outreach team co-organized with the Kazakh Institute of World Economics and Politics (IWEP) a two-day security dialogue “Kazakhstan: Bridging East and West” Aug. 23 and 24 at the Foundation of the First President of Kazakhstan, Presidential Library in Astana, Republic of Kazakhstan.

Scholars representing a number of Kazakh research organizations and ‘think tanks’ and representatives from Uzbekistan, United States, Germany and China attended the security dialogue.

Discussion centered on Kazakhstan’s geopolitical alignment and on selected transnational security challenges, in particular migration, terrorism and other regional security issues.

Topics were devoted to four categories: multi-vector policies in a globalized world; key security challenges in and around Central Asia; impact of extremism on the region; and, role of outside powers.

Marshall Center professors Dr. Sven Gareis,  Dr. Gregory Gleason and Dr. Petra Weyland were among the 13 speakers, who shared their insight on specific aspects related to the overall theme of “Kazakhstan Bridging East and West.”

Gareis, German deputy dean for the Marshall Center’s College of International Security Studies, presented opening remarks, “China Today and Tomorrow,” and “The Outlook for the Region” to include summary, conclusion and the way ahead.

Gleason, director of the Marshall Center’s Central Asia Program, presented “Blocs, Partnerships and Conventions: Security in a Changing Eurasia,” summary of the first day of discussions and preview of the second day, and The Outlook for the Region” to include summary, conclusion and the way ahead.

Weyland, Marshall Center professor of Middle Eastern Affairs, presented “Migration and Security.”