Over the past decade, nearly 58 million girls were married before the age of 18. Child marriage is a truly global problem: In Africa, 42 percent of girls are married before turning 18, but it is also prevalent in parts of Asia and Latin America and the Caribbean (in South Asia, for instance, 46 percent of girls are married). Child brides often start childbearing early, leading to complications and producing high rates of maternal morbidity and mortality among girls in developing countries. Married girls are often forced to leave school, negatively affecting their ability to work and provide for their families. The panelists will describe current policies and programs working to support young women and delay marriage whenever possible.

The Islam in Eurasia Policy Conference combined the latest scholarship and informed discussion of the critical issues facing the U.S. Government in this key part of the world as 2014 approaches. It was the culminating event of a multiyear research project supported by Carnegie Corporation.

Kazakhstan is rich in natural resources and ancient, unique cultures that have long attracted attention of Western travelers. Early American travelers made significant contributions in preserving Kazakhstan’s history as witnesses to its nomadic culture and through their photographs, drawings, and diaries. Saule Satayeva includes Kennan Institute namesake George Kennan who, together with American painter George Frost, wrote evocative essays and created numerous drawings and photographs.

Amid the growing number of reports warning that climate change threatens security, one potentially dangerous – but counterintuitive – dimension has been largely ignored. Could efforts to reduce our carbon footprint and lower our vulnerability to climate change inadvertently exacerbate existing conflicts?