Exciting Research Alert!
NU GSPP Assistant Professor Dr. Zhanibek Arynov and Temirlan Umirbekov, NU GSPP Master in Public Policy graduate, have published a new article in a Taylor & Francis journal titled: “Contesting the Unknown? Public Perceptions of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) in Armenia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan.”
Abstract:
This study provides a comparative analysis of public perceptions of the CSTO in Armenia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. Despite being largely invisible for much of its existence, the CSTO has recently gained public attention due to its (non)involvement in crises within its member states. As a result, debates over the organization’s relevance have intensified.
Using original focus group data alongside secondary survey data, the authors reveal that perceptions of the CSTO are overwhelmingly negative across all three countries. However, unlike their Kazakh counterparts, Kyrgyz and, to a lesser degree, Armenian participants were more likely to support their countries' continued membership in the organization (while acknowledging potential participant selection biases). The artile argues that this is primarily due to:
This research shifts the conversation beyond state- and Russia-centric perspectives, offering fresh insights into regional security debates.
Read the full article here: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13523260.2025.2474868?src=
Join us in congratulating Dr. Arynov and Temirlan Umirbekov on this significant contribution to the field!
NU GSPP Assistant Professor Dr. Zhanibek Arynov and Temirlan Umirbekov, NU GSPP Master in Public Policy graduate, have published a new article in a Taylor & Francis journal titled: “Contesting the Unknown? Public Perceptions of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) in Armenia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan.”
Abstract:
This study provides a comparative analysis of public perceptions of the CSTO in Armenia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. Despite being largely invisible for much of its existence, the CSTO has recently gained public attention due to its (non)involvement in crises within its member states. As a result, debates over the organization’s relevance have intensified.
Using original focus group data alongside secondary survey data, the authors reveal that perceptions of the CSTO are overwhelmingly negative across all three countries. However, unlike their Kazakh counterparts, Kyrgyz and, to a lesser degree, Armenian participants were more likely to support their countries' continued membership in the organization (while acknowledging potential participant selection biases). The artile argues that this is primarily due to:
- A higher perceived external threat in Armenia and Kyrgyzstan.
- The perceived lack of viable alternative security arrangements for these countries.
This research shifts the conversation beyond state- and Russia-centric perspectives, offering fresh insights into regional security debates.
Read the full article here: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13523260.2025.2474868?src=
Join us in congratulating Dr. Arynov and Temirlan Umirbekov on this significant contribution to the field!