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Catherine Putz

Catherine Putz

Catherine Putz is managing editor of The Diplomat.

Catherine (Katie) Putz is managing editor of The Diplomat.

She manages the monthly magazine as well as writing on Central Asia and Afghanistan. She writes on politics, security and culture in former Soviet spaces, particularly where they link to greater Asia. Katie also co-hosts The Diplomat’s Asia Geopolitics Podcast.

Katie is a graduate of the Patterson School of Diplomacy and International Commerce at the University of Kentucky, where she studied international security and Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania, where she majored in history with a focus on U.S. diplomatic and conflict history. Previously, Katie worked in several positions at the Atlantic Council and as a communications consultant at the World Bank. She is a member of the Military Writers Guild and the National Press Club.

Get in touch with Katie on LinkedIn, or email.

Posts by Catherine Putz
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January 04, 2024

The Tokayev Interview and Nazarbayev’s Long Shadow

By Catherine Putz
Kazakh President Tokayev says he “openly told Nursultan Abishuly Nazarbayev that the political arrogance of his close associates almost destroyed the country.” 
January 03, 2024

Kyrgyzstan’s New Flag Debuts in Bishkek

By Catherine Putz
The rays on the sun are a little straighter -- even if the priorities of the Kyrgyz government remain wavering. 

January 03, 2024

Taliban Accuse Tajik, Pakistani Citizens of Carrying out Attacks in Afghanistan

By Catherine Putz
“Dozens of Tajikistan citizens have been killed in our operations and dozens of others have been arrested,” acting Defense Minister Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid said.

December 20, 2023

Asian Geopolitics in 2023: A Retrospective (Part 2)

By Ankit Panda and Catherine Putz
What were the trends, events, and developments in geopolitics that defined the Asia-Pacific in 2023?

December 26, 2023

Isaac McKean Scarborough on Moscow’s Heavy Shadow in Tajikistan

By Catherine Putz
The Soviet Union’s collapse 32 years ago led to rapid change, economic collapse, and violence. In Tajikistan, that violence slid rapidly into civil war.
December 20, 2023

Asian Geopolitics in 2023: A Retrospective (Part 1)

By Ankit Panda and Catherine Putz
What were the trends, events, and developments in geopolitics that defined the Asia-Pacific in 2023?

December 15, 2023

Big Promises on the Kyrgyz-Tajik Border

By Catherine Putz
Kyrgyz and Tajik officials say they're close to agreement on the entirety of their long-disputed border.
December 14, 2023

Why Do Central Asian Governments Keep Failing the Region’s Women?

By Catherine Putz
Women in Central Asia “feel unsafe everywhere,” says Svetlana Dzardanova, with recent horrific attacks drawing attention again to a very old problem. 

December 12, 2023

US Sanctions 2 Former Afghan Republic Officials For Transnational Corruption

By Catherine Putz
According to U.S. officials, the final speaker of the Afghan Republic's parliament and his son were merrily robbing the country blind with various schemes tied particularly to fuel contracts.

December 08, 2023

Karakalpak Activist Deprived of Kazakh Citizenship

By Catherine Putz
Uzbek authorities have told Kazakh authorities that Urazbayev never officially renounced his Uzbek citizenship and therefore Kazakh authorities have revoked his Kazakh citizenship. 

December 08, 2023

A Tale of 2 Uzbek Bloggers: Arifhojaev Freed, Khaidarov Jailed

By Catherine Putz
Uzbek bloggers Fazilhoja Arifhojaev and Olimjon Khaidarov occupy vastly different ends of the blogger spectrum, but they illustrate the limits of free speech in Uzbekistan. 
December 07, 2023

Amid Protests, Kyrgyzstan Delays New Tax Regulations

By Catherine Putz
But President Sadyr Japarov has also made clear that change -- and cash registers -- are coming to the country's bazaars one way or another. 

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