CPC - Caspian Policy Center
CPC Staff
Dr. Eric Rudenshiold
Research Director and Senior Fellow
Dr. Eric Rudenshiold is the Senior Fellow for Caspian Affairs and served under Presidents Trump and Biden as National Security Council Director for Central Asia. He has extensive experience on a range of foreign policy issues, including democracy and human rights, international affairs and development, and counter terrorism. His areas of regional expertise include the Caucasus and Central Asia, Eurasia/Europe, and multilateral organizations. From his work at the NSC, on Capitol Hill and at USAID, Dr. Rudenshiold brings hands-on knowledge of Washington’s institutional and political environment to the Caspian Policy Center. At the NSC he received three awards of distinction and guided the U.S. inter-agency policy process on U.S. interests in Central Asia; national security issues including on counter-terrorism, Russia, Iran and China; and Trans-Caspian and Caucasus issues.
Prior to serving at the NSC, Dr. Rudenshiold served in a variety of capacities for the U.S. Agency for International Development from 2007 to 2018, including: acting roles as Deputy Assistant Administrator, Country Office Director, Director for South/Central Asia, Senior Officer in Charge for Central Asia, and Senior Adviser. He received numerous Superior Honor and other awards during his tenure with the U.S. Government. Before joining USAID, he served in senior diplomatic roles with the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, as well as with UNDP and a number of assistance implementers. Having lived and worked overseas for more than a dozen years, including in the former-Soviet Union, he has extensive experience across the Europe and Eurasia region. Dr. Rudenshiold also worked as a journalist and editor, has published broadly and is a frequent speaker and lecturer. He taught graduate-level courses at George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs from 2009 to 2018. His PhD in International Affairs was awarded from the University of Virginia.
News
Nine Hard Truths Along The Caspian Middle Corridor: Critical Factors Facing The Caucasus and Central Asia
The word is out. The eight, energy-rich Caucasus and Central Asian countries are joining together along a newly invigorated Middle Corridor
Perspectives on CPC’s Trans-Caspian Forum Maximizing the Middle Corridor
The Caspian Policy Center’s 8th Annual Trans-Caspian Forum was important because it brought international attention
Ukrainian Fallout: Kazakhstan’s Economy Could Be Caught Between Russia and the U.S.
Is it too late to save Central Asia? The COP crisis is already here
One-third of Central Asia’s glaciers have melted, as the region’s air temperatures
Türkiye's Return to Center Stage: Successful Counterbalancing
Türkiye’s more aggressive and independent foreign policy has spurred both praise and criticism fro
As Ties with the West Recover, Türkiye Plays a Role Counterbalancing Russia
Türkiye’s independent foreign policy has spurred praise and criticism from its long-term Western partners