The lecture: "Has the Great Game returned to Central Asia after 9/11?"
Post-Soviet Central Asia is the world’s only region where the interests of great powers such as the U.S, Russia, and China are so tightly and permanently intertwined.  The powers' conflicting goals and strategies, however, mean that Central Asian states lack dynamic market economies and strong, secular systems of government.  Indeed, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan  have found themselves on the brink of failure and under the looming threat of Muslim radicalism.  Washington primarily has been interested in supporting the sovereignty and independence of Central Asian states and securing its military presence.  Russia prefers to contain and control Central Asia as its “zone of privileged interests,  while China is setting its sights on further expansion in the region and sees the region as a potential security zone and key energy hub.  The leaders and predatory elites of Central Asian states have used the rivalry between these powerful actors for their own gains.

Information on Baktybek Beshimov
Baktybek Beshimov is a Visiting Scholar at Harvard University's Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies and an expert on democracy, liberty, and human rights in Central Asia.  A former Provost of American University - Central Asia and President of Osh State University, both in Kyrgzstan, Dr. Beshimov  served as a member of parliament of Kyrgyzstan from 2007-2010, as the Krgyz Ambassador to India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Nepal from 2000-2005, as a member of the parliament of the Kyrgyz Republic from 1998-2000.  In the latter position, he played an influential role in shaping Krygyzstan's security strategy, and as a UN program representative, worked on border and economic integration issues in the Ferghana Valley.  He comes to Beloit College through the Scholars at Risk Network.

Dr. Beshimov will be accompanied by his wife, Fatima Mendikulova. Currently serving as an intern and program assistant to the Human Rights to Water and Sanitation Program at Harvard University's Carr Center for Human Rights Policy, from 2006-2009 Ms. Mendikulova was theFounder/Director from of “Initiatives for Development” Public Fund (NGO), Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, a NGO created to tackle issues of unlawful utility shut-offs and to increase knowledge of consumer's right. She also founded and directed, from 1996 to 2000, the "Center for Support of Women's Initiatives in Osh Oblast, Kyrgyzstan to provide training and job development services to women. This work drew on Ms. Mendikulova's expertise in management and human resources.

This event is free and open to the campus and community.