Publications of Fumagalli, M.

Kyrgyzstan's Political impasse raises systemic risks

On August 27, President Almazbek Atambayev signed a decree mandating that his Social Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan (SDPK) form a new governing coalition. The government formation process follows the collapse of Kyrgyzstan's ruling coalition in the aftermath of a scandal involving erstwhile Prime Minister Omurbek Babanov. Two members of the four-party coalition withdrew their support, and the country now faces a tussle for the influential premiership. Electoral and parliamentary politics in Kyrgyzstan are rarely fought over policy differences -- and the president has positioned himself as a key source and broker of power amid the current impasse.

Russia’s comeback in Central Asia : origins, implications and limits of a rapprochement

Russia’s influence in Central Asia has remained quite stable over time. However, the events that took place in 2008 have raised important questions on sustainability. The impact of the financial crisis, the declining appeal of the Russian market for Central Asian migrants, and finally the tacit disapproval of Moscow’s recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia in August 2008 will have an impact on future relations between the Central Asian republics and Russia.

Food security in Central Asia : a priority for Western engagement

The international community has responded rapidly to the 2007-2008 food crisis in Central Asia, through ad hoc measures aimed at reducing the impact of both natural and economic disasters, especially on Tajikistan’s population. As the Central Asian populations brace themselves for yet another harsh winter with disrupted heating, electricity rationing, and food insecurity, time has come for a concerted strategy complementing humanitarian aid.Addressing the issue requires adopting a systemic and long-term approach that views food (in)security as one dimension of a broader nexus, linking water, gas and food in the Central Asian region, as well as parts of Afghanistan and Pakistan. Failing to address the crisis entails risks of social unrest due to economic grievances, which may escalate into political instability.

Informal ethnopolitics and local authority figures in Osh, Kyrgyzstan

The contribution examines local-level ethnopolitics in post-Soviet Kyrgyzstan, particularly in the southern city of Osh, in 1990 site of one of the bloodiest inter-communal conflicts of the late Soviet era. First, instruments of managing multi-ethnicity are briefly introduced, with particular attention being paid to territorial autonomy, also a pillar of Soviet ethnofederal structure. Next, the contribution focuses on Uzbek ethnopolitics in Osh as a case study which illustrates how formal and informal politics shape state-minority relations in an ethnically mixed and post-conflict setting. The contribution argues that local authority figures and patron-client relations are key to understanding how Uzbek ethnopolitics unfolds and violence is prevented from re-occurring. A combination of informal and formal institutions accounts for preserving inter-ethnic stability in post-Soviet Osh.

Alignments and realignments in Central Asia : the rationale and implications of Uzbekistan's rapprochement with Russia

The eviction of the USA from the military base at Khanabad-Qarshi and the signing of an alliance treaty between Uzbekistan and Russia in November 2005 marked one of the most dramatic turnarounds in international alliances in the post-cold-war era. This article shows that regime survival is a driving force behind Uzbekistan's realignment. It also argues that a full account of Uzbekistan's turnaround needs to take into consideration systemic factors, namely, an external environment in which Russia provided a viable strategic and economic alternative. The article concludes by suggesting how the "normative competition" in the region between Russia (and China) and the USA helps account for the timing of Uzbekistan's realignment.

Usbekische Zwickmühle : Staatsnationalismus und Auslandsusbeken

The Uzbek Quandary : state nationalism and Uzbeks abroad After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the fear of ethnic conflicts in Central Asia was widespread. All of the states are home to population groups that belong to the titular nation of a neighbouring state. The Uzbeks abroad are the largest such group. But Uzbekistan does not see itself as their protective power; it sees these Uzbeks as citizens of other states or even as Islamic terrorists.The Uzbeks of Kyrgyzstan are disappointed by authoritarian Uzbekistan. As bad as their situation is, at least in Kyrgyzstan they can express their displeasure.

La dimensione strategica dell’Asia centrale tra Russia, Cina e Stati Uniti

The strategic dimension in Central Asia between Russia, China and the United States

Identity and interests in South Korea’s policy towards Central Asia

This article was presented at the 3rd World Congress of Korean Studies 2006 (October 27-30. 2006, Cheju National University)

La Turchia tra allargamento europeo e politica estera Americana

Turkey between EU enlargement and US foreign policy

Il Grande Medio Oriente : il nuovo arco dell’instabilità

The great Middle East : the new arc of instability