Date: 19 November, 2026

Time: 15:00 – 16:00 (Bishkek time)  

Researcher: Leon Sinfield, Associate Researcher at the OSCE Academy in Bishkek 

Language: English

Format: offline

Address: OSCE Academy in Bishkek, Botanichesky pereulok 1 A, Library (1st floor)

Registration form: https://forms.gle/3WWhSwRnQAjmiQAc6

Description

A new dynamic of tension has developed between the US and Russia over the South Caucasus and Central Asia. As Russian influence in the South Caucasus collapsed as a result of Azerbaijan’s victory in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, a US-brokered peace treaty and the agreement on the US majority-owned TRIPP economic corridor massively bolstered Washington’s regional role. This led the US to take a new interest in Central Asia, with Trump hosting his Central Asian counterparts in Washington in November 2025, and pushing for the export of critical minerals from the region to the United States via TRIPP. Moscow has reacted critically to the rapid increase in diplomatic activity and economic cooperation between the US and Central Asia. This seminar will discuss the US-Russia dynamic and how Central Asian states can develop their partnership with the US while maintaining a constructive relationship with Russia.

Agenda

15:00 – 15:05 Words of Welcome by Dr. Pal Dunay, Director of the OSCE Academy in Bishkek

15:05 – 15:35 Presentation by Leon Sinfield

15:35 – 15:55 Q&A Session and Discussion

15:55 – 16:00 Closing

BIO

Leon Sinfield is a PhD candidate in International Relations at the London School of Economics (LSE) and an Associate Researcher at the OSCE Academy in Bishkek. His PhD research explores the role of status seeking in Russian-led and Chinese-led conflict mediation initiatives. More broadly, his interests encompass the foreign policies of Russia and China with a focus on their role in post-Soviet Eurasia and the Middle East. Leon spent three months as a visiting researcher at the Shanghai International Studies University and undertook periods as a research assistant at the Austrian Institute for International Affairs and the Institute of International Relations in Prague. He has conducted fieldwork in Armenia and Azerbaijan for his research. In 2025-26, Leon completed a year of seminar teaching on the Foreign Policy Analysis course at LSE. His analysis has been published by The Diplomat, World Politics Review, Council on Geostrategy and the Central European Institute of Asian Studies.