ThinkTankWeekly

Uzbekistan: assessing 10 years of rule under Mirziyoyev

Chatham House | 2026-08-08 | diplomacy

Topics: Russia, Ukraine

Visit original source

ThinkTankWeekly provides a curated entry and summary only. Full text and PDF remain on the publisher's website.

English Summary

Uzbekistan has successfully leveraged Mirziyoyev's tenure to significantly boost regional cooperation and economic liberalization. However, the analysis suggests that deep-seated authoritarian structures, coupled with persistent issues of corruption and nepotism, continue to severely impede meaningful political reform. While external factors like the Ukraine war have influenced policy, the country’s future development path remains constrained by this internal tension between opening up economically and maintaining political control. Policymakers should anticipate continued mixed signals: strong economic growth alongside limited democratic progress.

中文摘要

烏茲別克斯坦成功地利用了米爾濟約耶夫執政期間，顯著提升了區域合作與經濟自由化。然而，分析指出，根深蒂固的威權結構，加上持續存在的腐敗和裙帶關係問題，仍嚴重阻礙了有意義的政治改革。儘管外部因素（如烏克蘭戰爭）影響了政策制定，但該國未來的發展軌跡仍然受限於這種內部張力：即在經濟開放與維持政治控制之間的矛盾。政策制定者應預期持續出現複雜且不一致的信號：一方面是強勁的經濟增長，另一方面則是有限的民主進展。

Related Entries

1. 1.

   Wildfires and extreme heat show climate change is now Europe’s biggest security threat (Chatham House)

   2026-09-02 | europe | 2026-W36 | Topics: Climate, Europe, NATO, Nuclear, Russia, Ukraine

   The Chatham House report argues that climate change represents Europe's greatest systemic security threat, citing recent extreme heatwaves, droughts, and wildfires that have caused massive economic losses, infrastructure failures, and excess deaths. These environmental shocks disrupt critical services (like energy supply) and increase vulnerability to non-conventional threats, forcing military resources to divert personnel away from traditional defense roles. To counter this, the report mandates a comprehensive security approach: treating climate adaptation as core national security spending, accelerating decarbonization to address root causes, and building robust societal resilience through coordinated civil preparedness.

   Read at Chatham House

2. 2.

   Zambia’s election: President Hichilema must preserve his country’s democratic reputation (Chatham House)

   2026-09-02 | africa | 2026-W36 | Topics: Europe

   The Chatham House analysis argues that for Zambia to sustain its economic reforms and attract vital foreign investment, President Hichilema must prioritize preserving democratic institutions during the upcoming election. While macroeconomic stabilization has restored international confidence, political legitimacy hinges on a credible electoral process, as voters are yet to feel the benefits of abstract financial rehabilitation. Consequently, international allies are advised to act as 'critical friends,' ensuring that their support for economic stability is consistently coupled with demands for institutional integrity and democratic restraint. This balanced approach is vital to prevent authoritarian drift from undermining Zambia's foundational political capital.

   Read at Chatham House

3. 3.

   Iraq Initiative Conference 2026 (Chatham House)

   2026-09-02 | middle_east | 2026-W36 | Topics: Middle East, Trade

   Iraq faces an existential test of state sovereignty and reform as it navigates intense regional instability. Key pressures include armed attacks from Iran-aligned groups, renewed questions about the state's monopoly on force due to external strikes, and severe economic strain stemming from oil market disruptions. The core challenge is managing escalating geopolitical competition between Washington and Tehran while simultaneously advancing institutional reforms necessary for economic diversification. International support must therefore focus not only on security stabilization but also on supporting Baghdad’s efforts to build a resilient, independent course away from volatile energy dependence.

   Read at Chatham House

4. 4.

   Can negotiations between Venezuela’s government and opposition succeed? (Chatham House)

   2026-09-02 | americas | 2026-W36 | Topics: Middle East, Trade, United States

   The Chatham House analysis finds that recent negotiations between Venezuela's government and opposition are highly unlikely to succeed, citing a pattern of vague discussions and lack of concrete commitments. Key evidence includes the failure of multiple meetings to establish timelines or progress on critical issues like the release of political prisoners. The report suggests that external actors, particularly the US, may be prioritizing maintaining an illusion of stability (the 'Venezuela model') over forcing genuine democratic change. Consequently, policy efforts must recognize that success hinges entirely on Washington's willingness to apply strong, enforced leverage and detailed commitments, rather than merely facilitating another round of ill-defined dialogue.

   Read at Chatham House

5. 5.

   The summer of '26: A turning point for the climate crisis? (Chatham House)

   2026-09-02 | energy | 2026-W36 | Topics: Europe

   The Chatham House analysis examines the severity of the climate crisis, using the extreme weather events of Summer 2026—such as widespread European droughts and fires—as evidence of an urgent turning point. The core discussion centers on whether current global commitments are sufficient to reverse the climate spiral, particularly given geopolitical hurdles like US fossil fuel policies. Policymakers must weigh the practical application of mitigation (emissions reduction) against necessary adaptation strategies in real-world scenarios. Ultimately, the brief implies that a successful strategy requires immediate, coordinated action across technology and policy sectors to find a viable path forward.

   Read at Chatham House