Drawing upon the relevant literature and declassified documents related to the US war in Afghanistan, the study investigates Washington’s policy of nation- building and its imposition of a Western-style democracy on this war-ravaged nation. The results of the study have shown that despite its political, military and economic preponderance, the US failed to deliver a liberal democratic governance to the Afghan people. The US democratization efforts led to the establishment of a highly corrupt and incompetent puppet regime. The US tried to impose its political system on the country that has historically lacked a strong centralized government and where ethnic, tribal and regional identities and divisions have been deeply entrenched. Thus, the paper provides an in-depth analysis and discussion of American nation-building in Afghanistan, identifying and explaining the underlying reasons for the failures of its democratization efforts.

Keywords: US, Afghanistan, Taliban, Nation building, Democratization

DOI : https://doi.org/10.53277/2519-2442-2025.3-01 [HTML]

This article examines the evolving political relationship between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Gulf Arab states in the context of regional instability and global multipolarity. Focusing on the period from 2011 to 2025, the study analyzes the structural drivers of conflict and cooperation, including sectarian divisions, geopolitical rivalries, and strategic realignments. Special attention is given to Iran’s influence in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen through proxy actors, as well as its confrontation with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The research also explores the role of external powers – namely, the United States, China, and Russia – in reshaping the regional order and evaluates the impact of initiatives such as the “Shiite Crescent” and China’s Belt and Road. Methodologically, the study adopts a qualitative approach combining geopolitical and institutional analysis. The findings reveal a cyclical pattern of confrontation and pragmatic engagement, driven by internal regime dynamics and global power shifts. The article concludes by outlining possible future scenarios for Iran–Arab relations in the Persian Gulf and beyond.

Keywords: Iran, Arab States, Regional security, Geopolitics, Middle East.

DOI : https://doi.org/10.53277/2519-2442-2025.3-02 [HTML]

The article explores India’s involvement with Kazakhstan in the fields of higher education and tourism, two sectors with significant potential to strengthen bilateral relations. The article begins by describing the prospects of the Indian market and its demographic dividend as key considerations when evaluating future engagement. It then examines the growing demand among Indian youth for medical education and emerging travel destinations, highlighting Kazakhstan’s potential to position itself as an attractive option. Furthermore, the article evaluates Kazakhstan’s ability to meet these growing demands. The findings are then summarized to provide an overall assessment, as well as recommendations for enhancing Indian-Kazakhstan ties through the expansion of opportunities for students and tourists.

Keywords: India, Kazakhstan, Demographic dividend, Tourism, Education.

DOI : https://doi.org/10.53277/2519-2442-2025.3-03 [HTML]

This ethnographic study examines how Tatar diaspora communities in Tashkent, Uzbekistan maintain distinctive ethnic identity despite significant heritage language decline. Based on intermittent ethnographic fieldwork conducted between 2013-2024, the research reveals that rather than experiencing straightforward assimilation, Tashkent Tatars engage in processes of cultural identity compensation: strategically investing heightened symbolic significance in culinary practices, personal naming traditions, and adapted festivals as language use diminishes. The study introduces the concept of polycentric authenticity, demonstrating how diaspora communities function as independent centres of cultural authority rather than merely reproducing homeland norms. Through analysis of intergenerational negotiations of authenticity, the research challenges binary frameworks of cultural preservation versus loss, revealing instead dynamic processes of creative adaptation. These findings contest official narratives of ‘voluntary assimilation’ and highlight the agency exercised by minority communities in reconfiguring ethnic identity within post-Soviet Central Asia.

Keywords: Diaspora, Ethnicity, Authenticity, Central Asia, Cultural identity, Language shift, Tatars, Uzbekistan

DOI : https://doi.org/10.53277/2519-2442-2025.3-04 [HTML]

This article investigates the progress of arbitration and mediation in Kazakhstan, aiming to enhance the efficiency of the judicial system and ensure citizens’ access to justice. The study utilizes statistical data analysis to provide quantitative indicators and compares alternative dispute resolution practices in Kazakhstan with those in other countries. It examines the legislative framework governing mediation and arbitration to identify its shortcomings. Findings indicate that alternative methods are more time and cost-effective, with a 30% increase in cases resolved through mediation in 2022, highlighting their effectiveness over traditional litigation. Key recommendations include establishing standards for mediation, developing training programs for mediators, and increasing public awareness of alternative dispute resolution options. These initiatives are essential for improving legal culture and protecting human rights in Kazakhstan, ultimately fostering a more effective and accessible dispute resolution system that enhances citizens’ trust in the judiciary and raises legal awareness in society.

Keywords: Mediation, Arbitration, Participatory procedures, Dispute prevention, Legal awareness

DOI : https://doi.org/10.53277/2519-2442-2025.3-05 [HTML]

For citation: Kozhirova, S. (2025). [Review of The Belt and Road Initiative: Past, Present, Future, by X. Gao, K. Gouliamos, Z. Liu, & C. Kassimeris]. Eurasian Research Journal, 7(3), 341-344. https://doi.org/10.53277/2519-2442-2025.3-06


DOI : https://doi.org/10.53277/2519-2442-2025.3-06 [HTML]