In line with the NATO Science for Peace and Security (SPS) key priority of “defence against terrorist threats”, the event will establish an effective network and allow Central Asian scholars and practitioners to have a clearer picture of western research and approaches to international security.
Attending scholars, political elites, diplomats and military personnel will discuss topics such as:
- Border issues;
- Terrorism;
- Radical Islamic Movements and;
- Local involvement in global terrorist networks like Al Qaeda, Hizb-ut-Tahrir and IMU.
It is known that the security situation in Afghanistan impacts both directly and indirectly on the stability of Central Asia. Moreover, the weakness of the Central Asian states, along with unresolved border issues, links the instability in Afghanistan back to Central Asia. Most of this instability stems from the permeable nature of Afghanistan’s borders, which facilitate the various illegal trans-boundary movements such as drugs, weapons and terrorism in and around the region.
The absence of dialogue or networks linking NATO and Partner country academics and think tanks is recognised as being a major challenge in the coordination of studies and activities aimed at combating these threats to security.
Ensuring security and stability in Central Asia requires regional economic development and greater international cooperation, especially with respect to NATO’s counter-terrorism efforts. The establishment of a network of NATO and Central Asian academics, experts and practitioners could have a positive impact in the region.
Key speakers at the event will be provided by NATO’s Public Diplomacy Division, the American University of Central Asia (Kyrgyzstan), Kyrgyz-Turkish Manas University (Kyrgyzstan), National Defence University (USA), and the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London (UK).
This workshop is funded through NATO’s Science for Peace and Security Programme. For more information, visit www.nato.int/science (see “Calendar” for organisers’ contact details).
