One steppe beyond: Mongolia eyes Central Asia

Everybody yurts: As Mongolia reorients toward Central Asia, its nomadic heritage offers a shared thread with its neighbours.

This week’s CAPS Unlock takes us east, to a country often left out of Central Asia’s story: Mongolia. We speak to Chimguundari Navaan-Yunden, a former advisor to the Mongolian prime minister, about her recent article exploring Mongolia’s foreign policy realignment toward Central Asia.

From efforts to expand rail and trade links, to high-level diplomacy and civic vibrancy, Mongolia offers a sharp contrast to its authoritarian neighbours.

And CAPS Unlock program coordinator Tlegen Kuandykov shares fresh impressions from his first visit to Mongolia and reflects on the political and cultural commonalities (and differences) that shape the Greater Central Asia debate.

Links:

Mongolia’s Pivot to Central Asia and the Caucasus: Strategic Realignments and Regional Implications: https://www.cacianalyst.org/publications/analytical-articles/item/13871-mongolia%E2%80%99s-pivot-to-central-asia-and-the-caucasus-strategic-realignments-and-regional-implications.html

Freedom in the World 2025: https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/2025/uphill-battle-to-safeguard-rights