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1. GREAT GAME IN CENTRAL ASIA

2. Introduction
 Reviewing events in the international area we can see
that the interest to the Central Asia region is growing
in view of its changing geopolitical role.
 Russia, USA and China, as powerful powers of the
present-day world that have influence in the region,
are also interested in the CA.

3. Central Asia

4. Interest to CA countries
 1991 – collapse of the Soviet Union and
appearing of new subjects of international
relations
 Before the beginning of the XIX century these
countries with forming policies were on the
periphery of world policy and economy
 New challenges created conditions for major
powers to influence on CA countries
 Interest of major powers in gaining access and
control of energy resources of CA countries
 Interest of major powers in raw material
resources base of CA

5. The structure of proportions of territory
and population is the following
Population
Central Asia
Territory
World
Central Asia
World

6. CA is well provided with energy
resources
Countries Oil Gas (trillion Coal Gold Uranium (t) Water resource
(mln. t) cu m) (billion t) (т) (billion kWh)
Kazakhstan 4 000 3 300 35,8 18,9 1 690 000 40,2
Turkmenistan 300 24 000 - - - -
Uzbekistan 250 1 875 4 90 185 800 -
Kyrgyzstan 5 6 - 24 20 000 142,5
Tajikistan 2 - - - 460 000 527
World’s place 11 2 8 9 1 6-8
The region is also takes leading positions in ferrous,
nonferrous and rare metals reservoirs. It holds
positions from 1 to 20 in metal mining in more than 30
kinds

7. Historical background and stages
of development of CA region
 Before accession to the Russian Empire state entities
of CA based on territorial and confessional
communities. The region represented a lot of local
districts that had nothing to do with political and
ethical territories of modern states
 The region became a part of the “Great Game”, with
the result that it got under protectorate of the
Russian Empire and then entered the USSR
 Development of independent states on the territory
of CA.
As for current situation of five CA countries, we can
say that they are all still on the stage of forming
statehood

8. Historical background and stages
of development…cont
 Meanwhile we can show evolution of foreign policy
activities of CA countries
 1-st stage (1991-1994) – tendency of CA countries to preserve
close relations with Russia, while Russian government adhered to
conception of “Russia is a part of the West”
 2 stage (1994-1999) – CA countries tried to construct its own
regional structures with politic, moral and financial assistance of
the West
 3 stage (1999-200) – the period of disappointment of CA countries
with regional structures under CIS and drawing up relations on
bilateral basis
 4 stage (2001-2005) begun after 9/11, with the main
characteristics of military presence of the West (primarily USA) in
the region
 5 stage (2005 till now) characterizes as “economization” of foreign
policy relations, region states’ ambitions to improve
socioeconomic situation and strengthen political stability.
 “Multiple vector foreign policy” is used.

9. Rivalry and actors
 Major powers – Russia, USA, China
 Power balance asymmetry
 Russia has traditional ties with region countries
 USA are territorially far from the region
 China has economic power and neighbourship to the
region

10. Russian Federation and its policy in
the region
 Preserving existing “status quo”
 Development of bilateral and multilateral cooperation
with partners
 Strategy of saving predictable political regimes in CA
countries
 Gaining maximal economic benefit
 Maintenance close and friendly relations
 individual reservation of CA resource potential

11. Contradictions with USA
 For Russia American military presence in the region is
unacceptable
 Russia’s interest in political stabilization in
Afghanistan and prevention of Taliban’s return

12. Contradictions with China
 Russian unhappy with China’s growing economic
activity in the region
 There is a possibility for CA countries to be economic
dependent from China and be under Chinese
influence

13. Russian Federation and its policy in
the region…cont
 These circumstances force Russia to be more active in
the region and protect above-mentioned interests

14. USA and its policy in the region
 Ebbing of Russian influence on region countries
 Maintenance of democracy and observance of human
rights
 Diversification of energy flow to bypass Russia
 Extending cooperation with CA countries to support
International Security Assistance Force efforts in
Afghanistan
 Prevention of expanding Iran’s influence in the region

15. USA and its policy in the
region…cont
 Since 1995 and appearance of Taliban’s regime the
USA tried to expand military cooperation with region
countries
 1999 – including CA countries into CENTCOM
 After 9/11 the USA bought military bases in
Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan
 Military bases in CA became a point of dispute
between SCO and USA

16. USA and its policy in the
region…cont
 China declare on this subject: “the wolf dropped into
back yard… USA purpose is to use Afghan war to
prevail in the region”
 According to some experts rivalry between politico
military powers (Russia and USA) for geopolitical
influence in Kyrgyzstan might cause occasions in this
country in 2005 and 2010

17. China and its policy in the
region
 Main directions:
 1-st stage (1992 – 2000)
 Borders issue
 Consider CA countries as market for Chinese goods
 Gaining access to region’s energy resources
 2-nd stage (2001 – till now)
 China increased investment volume into CA countries,
especially energy sector
 Over the last 10 years sales volume increased
13 times

18. China and its policy in the
region…cont
 China provides credits to CA countries, which allows
to politically dominate and restrict influence of other
countries in the region
 Beijing develops transport infrastructure to provide
supply energy sources from the region

19. Conclusion
 Since 2001 China prevails in rivalries between major
powers in CA region, that strengthen relations with
region countries on a long term basis
 In the near term rivalries between Russia, USA and
China will increase not only in the CA region but also
around the world

20. Recommendations
 Increasing of rivalry among major powers in Central
Asia can break security and slow down its sustainable
development in the region
 Main players should recognize mutual interests and
come to an agreement for region countries’
prosperity

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