The persistence of water competition in Central Asia has already increased regional tensions and could eventually escalate to armed conflict if the situation goes unaddressed.

Two proposed hydropower dam projects could create conflict in Central Asia.

The flow of drugs from Central Asia into Russia is a significant problem for Moscow. Though completely eradicating drug trafficking is impossible, Moscow would like to gain as much control as it can over the illicit trade.

Analyst Eugene Chausovsky looks at the geopolitics behind Turkmenistan's importance to players beyond its Central Asian neighbors.