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Catherine Putz

Catherine Putz is managing editor of The Diplomat. She tweets @LadyPutz.

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 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 Twitter, Linkedin, or email. PGP public key.

Posts by Catherine Putz

May 23, 2023

Takeaways From the 2023 Hiroshima G7 Summit

By Ankit Panda and Catherine Putz

What happened at the 2023 G-7 Summit in Hiroshima, Japan?

May 22, 2023

Karakalpakstan’s Sovereignty in Mirziyoyev’s Uzbekistan

By Catherine Putz

Karakalpakstan has a constitutional right to secede from Uzbekistan via referendum, but calling for such a vote results in immense pressure and often prison terms.

May 20, 2023

A New China-Central Asia ‘Blueprint’?

By Ankit Panda and Catherine Putz

What's driving China's outreach to Central Asia in 2023?

May 19, 2023

In Xi’an, China’s Xi Calls for a ‘Shared Future’ With Central Asia

By Catherine Putz

The summit produced the clearest iteration of Chinese interests in and commitments to Central Asia to date, but there's no "new blueprint" for relations.

May 18, 2023

Lineup Set for Snap Uzbek Presidential Election

By Catherine Putz

Five parties have nominated four candidates, but only one has any chance at 'winning' Uzbekistan's July 9 snap presidential election.

May 16, 2023

An Interview with Radio Azadi’s Qadir Habib and Malali Bashir

By Catherine Putz

In the wake of the Taliban takeover in 2021, RFE/RL’s Afghan Service faced considerable challenges. But they have risen above them to continue providing information to Afghans young and old.

May 11, 2023

Turkmen President Pays Visit to Tajikistan

By Catherine Putz

Although they don’t share a border, budding autocratic dynasties Turkmenistan and Tajikistan are close political neighbors.

May 10, 2023

Kazakhstan Moves to Curtail Parallel Trade to Russia

By Catherine Putz

The cost of electronics and household appliances in Russia may increase by 10-12 percent due to new restrictions at the Kazakh border.

May 10, 2023

Central Asian Presidents Join Putin for May 9 Victory Day Parade

By Catherine Putz

It is difficult to disentangle the political choices made by Central Asian leaders to attend Moscow’s parade this year from the ongoing war in Ukraine.

May 09, 2023

Upcoming China-Central Asia Summit to Offer a ‘New Blueprint’ for Relations

By Catherine Putz

Xi has prepared an "important speech" and the six leaders are expected to jointly sign an "important political document.”

May 08, 2023

Uzbek President Calls for Snap Elections

By Catherine Putz

In the wake of the constitutional referendum extending the presidential term from five to seven years, Mirziyoyev called for a new presidential election.

May 04, 2023

Will Jehovah’s Witness Shamil Khakimov Be Released From Prison in Tajikistan?

By Catherine Putz

Jailed in 2019 on charges of “inciting religious hatred,” Shamil Khakimov’s jail term ends on May 16. But he may not be released.