Afghanistan security risks Central Asia energy project

Significance

Concern is growing that the security situation in Afghanistan is worsening, threatening not only regional stability but also major electricity integration projects such as the Central Asia-South Asia Electricity Transmission and Trade Project -- CASA-1000.

Impacts

• If successful, CASA-1000 would provide Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan with an important source of foreign currency earnings.
• Uzbekistan's opposition to CASA-1000 will continue to weigh upon its strained relations with Bishkek and Dushanbe.
• The deteriorating situation in northern Afghanistan is a particular threat, both to this and to other ambitious infrastructure projects.