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International relations

Central Asia's Forgotten Region: A New Era of Great Power Competition

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Central Asia, a region often forgotten by the international community, is once again at the center of geopolitical tensions. The revival of the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation, a security group including Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan, marks a significant shift in the balance of power in the region. China and Russia, eager to secure their interests in central Asia's oil and gas reserves, are making a diplomatic comeback, while the US, preoccupied with the war on terrorism, appears to be overlooking the region's glaring faults.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Shanghai Co-operation Organisation, revived by China and Russia, includes Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan, and aims to enhance regional security and economic cooperation.
  • China has signed an agreement with Kazakhstan for a 1,200km oil pipeline to western China, while Lukoil, a Russian oil company, has signed a $1bn deal to develop Uzbek gas reserves.
  • Leaders in central Asia resent being patronized by their powerful neighbours, with Uzbekistan cancelling its presentation at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development over human rights concerns.
  • Central Asian regimes, such as Uzbekistan's, are criticized for their flaws in addressing corruption and human rights, despite receiving support from China and Russia.
  • The region remains a hotbed of instability, with 47 people killed in attacks blamed on Islamic militants linked to al-Qaeda in Uzbekistan in March.
  • The summit established an anti-terrorism centre and provided a forum for China to offer $900m in credits to central Asia, further entrenching the region in the Great Game.

Statistics:

  • 1,200km: The length of the oil pipeline from Kazakhstan to western China.
  • $1bn: The value of the deal signed by Lukoil to develop Uzbek gas reserves.
  • 47: The number of people killed in attacks blamed on Islamic militants linked to al-Qaeda in Uzbekistan in March.
  • $900m: The amount of credits offered by China to central Asia during the summit.
  • 19th century: The time period when Captain Arthur Conolly coined the phrase "Great Game" in Afghanistan.

Sources:

  • The Guardian
  • The Times
  • The Financial Times
  • The Economist

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