The West, Russia and China in Central Asia: What Kind of Game is Being Played in the Region
The West, Russia and China in Central Asia: What Kind of Game is Being Played in the Region

Summary/Abstract: The article deals with the old and new actors of power struggle in Eurasia, and analyses the peculiarities of the ‘New Great Game’in detail. In this context, while seeking answers to the questions ‘What is the New Great Game’, ‘What is its essence?’, the article makes comparisons to the ‘Great Game’ which has made its mark on the 19th century, displays the current situation. The author dwells on the perception of interests of regional and global actors, and examines their soft and hard power instruments on the scene, especially looking into the issue of military bases in the region. The article analyzes security as well as geostrategic and economic aspects of the power struggle of three major actors, United States, Russia and China, with respect to regional policies and inter-relations of these countries. Russian-Chinese relations, especially on the issue of security, are emphasized, and their attitude towards the West and particularly the United States is analyzed. In this context, the events experienced in Central Asian republics particularly Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, and the competition enforced on Turkmenistan are addressed in the article. The political future and frame of the region is analyzed and the potential preference of Central Asian ruling political elite is the topic of discussion.

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