Eurasia Outlook 2020: Economic, Social and Political Perspectives in Eurasia
The COVID-19 pandemic that started in 2020 has affected all areas of life worldwide, bringing many changes. In brief, countries were put to great test, particularly their healthcare systems, economic structures and relations with other countries. During this period, millions of people were affected negatively in various ways. In the meantime, we are closelyfollowing the prospectiveconsequences of the vaccine studies on the course of this pandemic. While everybody is trying to adapt to the “new normal”conditions of living during the pandemic, the Eurasian region continues to witness many developments from economy to politics, from transportation projects to social issues. The possible effects of the newly elected US President Biden’s attitude towards China on global economy, the political changes in Moldova, Ukraine and Georgia, the strengthening diplomatic and economic ties between the European Union and Central Asian countries can be shown among these important developments.
On the other hand, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the performance and initiatives of the countries in the region attracted wide attention, which was duly reflected in the academic processes administered via online platforms. Despite the fact that the transportation projects carried out by China and Central Asian countries have been halted for a while due to the pandemic, their implementation resumed relatively quickly. In this context, it is predicted that the “Silk Visa” initiative launched by Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan can facilitate positive development in the post-pandemic period.
The examination of all the events that took place during the last year by the academicians devoted to the study of the Eurasian region, provides to readers, experts and decision makers interested in the region outstanding analysis and reliable information. In this regard, I would like to congratulate Dr. Vakur Sümer, the Director of the Eurasian Research Institute the editors, writers and all the staff, , who contributed to the preparation of the book, which is the sixth of the “Eurasian Outlook” series.
Vakur Sumer
Director
Assoc. Prof. Vakur Sumer has received his Ph.D. on International Relations, from Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey. He is a faculty member at Department of International Relations, Selcuk University, Konya, Turkey. He has worked as a post-doctoral fellow at the Global Research Institute at University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, NC, USA, and as a visiting scholar at the Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of California-Davis, CA, USA. Sumer has been a researcher at Max Planck Institute in Heidelberg, Germany in 2012.
Zhengizkhan Zhanaltay
Deputy Director
Zhengizkhan Zhanaltay is a deputy director in the Eurasian Research Institute at H.A.Yassawi Kazakh Turkish International University. Zhengizkhan completed his bachelor’s degree at international relations department of KIMEP University in 2010. He completed his master thesis named ‘Oralmans integration into Kazakhstani Society: Turkish Kazakh Case’ in International Relations department of KIMEP University in 2014. His research interests include international migration politics, labor and ethnic migrants social and economic integration into society and remittance.
Suat Beylur
Director
Suat Beylur holds a PhD degree in Sociology from Ankara Yildirim Beyazit University and an MA in International Relations from Hacettepe University. Prior to joining the Eurasian Research Institute of K.A. Yassawi International Turkish-Kazakh University, Beylur has worked as an advisor in the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye (TBMM) (2006-2010); and expert, director and head of department for the Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Culture and Tourism (YTB). Beylur’s research interests lie primarily in the areas of multiculturalism, social change, youth and religion-state relations in Central Asia
Omirbek Hanayi
Senior Research fellow
Omirbek Hanayi is a research fellow in the Eurasian Research Institute at H.A.Yassawi Kazakh Turkish International University. In 2009 graduated from Minzu University of China Faculty of Kazakh language and literature. In 2008-2009, he studied in Turcology Department of Justus Liebig Giessen University as an exchange student. In 2010, he entered the Turcology Department of Justus Liebig Giessen University in 2010. During 2010-2012 he work in the project named “Kasachisch im postsowjetischen Kasachstan”.