International Actors at Play in Central Asia
Chapter one deals with the role played by Russia in the politics of Central Asia. From the beginning of the chapter, the author recognizes the importance of Russia in the Central Asian history. Russian cultural practices and language are still prevalent in the region. Russia is also a strategic partner in terms of security issues in the region. One of the major points in this chapter is the new challenges that were brought about by old patterns. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the new independent states increasingly endeavored to exclude Moscow from their operations.
This was the case until the mid nineties when the independent states started experiencing social difficulties. According to the author, the newly independent states realized that all the evils in the former colony were not solely because of the Russians. As such, they had to attenuate their criticisms of Russia, a move that effectively brought Russia back to the picture. Other factors that relate to the Russian influence in the region include its obsession with boarder security on its southern end, its economic involvement with regards to integrated space and hydrocarbons.
As has been highlighted in previous reviews, different international actors came into Central Asia after the collapse of the Soviet Union. As discussed in chapter two of the book, no one made more of a difference than China. Before the collapse, bilateral ties with China were limited due to the influence of Kremlin. For the new independent states, ties with China were structured in phases. According to the author, the first approach of the Chinese was demilitarizing the borders and signing demarcation treaties. The tragedy of this is that even if the border disputes were settled, the author reckons that contentious issues remain unsolved and could crop up later. This notwithstanding, China has continued to develop political and strategic legitimacy in the region. This has been through trade and heavy investments in the region.
Chapter three of the book looks at the United States of America as a strategic partner in the Central Asia region. According to the author, USA is a distant partner to the region, but unavoidable. Although there are many ties between the region and USA, the author cites security as their main reason for involvement. It is to be remembered that Islamic radicalism thrived in the region in the recent past. The author posits that USA maintains its involvement in the region in order to monitor and quell any Islamic radical groups (Laruelle &Peyrouse 56).
Chapter four of part I of this book deals with the European Union and its place in the politics of Central Asia. The author explores the possibility of the continental power being either a soft power or realpolitik. The author contends that the continental block faces a double challenge in terms of delivering messages and elaborating strategies. In the chapter, the author also delves into the growing focus on matters to do with security. According to the author, this is in recognition of the threat posed by the Central Asia region, especially after the terrorist attacks on the United States. However, this has not stifled bureaucratic ties between the two regions. It is noteworthy that in the analysis of the author, the approach by the European Union is very complex and hence has limited effectiveness in the Central Asian region. The chapter adds that the main involvement of the region with Central Asia is through economic ties and that the member states of the European Union bear the business image prevalent in Europe.
Chapter five of the book deals with yet other regional powers looking for a niche in Central Asia. Gulf and Middle Eastern countries also want to play a role in the dynamic of Central Asia region. Turkey is one of the countries whose interest in the region is reviewed by the author. According to the author, the Turkish approach is through cultural strategies and trade pragmatism. This is contrasted with the failing interests of Iran at the hands of geopolitical issues. Iran has been at the center of controversies with the United States, a significant partner of the Central Asia region. This has left alternative partners in Israel and Gulf Emirates.
In chapter six, the author looks at the region’s pursuit for Asian dynamism, a path that has led the region to look into India. The author analyzes how the hopes of the region have been dashed and the disillusionment that ensued. It is true that India has gained significance in global politics. However, I tend to agree with the author that the country is still too young to affect the regions dynamics ahead of other powers like the USA, Russia and China. According to the author, and in agreement with popular opinion, Pakistan is riddled in political suspicion to affect the region significantly. However, the presence of Japan and Korea is felt in the region, through their ideals and trade investments. Bearing this in mind, it is arguable that the Malaysian model has had the most influence amongst the Asian powers. It is widely emulated in Central Asia.
Review of Russian Nationalism, Foreign Policy and Identity Debates in Putin's Russia: New Ideological Patterns after the Orange Revolution
This author has been very insightful in her analysis of the region’s dynamics. This is not any different, the fact that the book contains literature from other scholars notwithstanding. Laruelle conjures and introduction that not only offers a preview of the contents of the book, but also resonates with her previous work. She sets the tone for discussions on the new unions that have emerged between the highly politicized expressions regarding Russian nationalism and foreign policy events. The author also intimates on the conflicts in the region over the tainted recollection of the Soviet Union. This is in my view has reinforced narratives that depict Russia as a citadel that is surrounded by very aggressive forces in the CIS and the West (Laruelle 5).
The introduction converges the thoughts of readers to focus on the issues surrounding the region. This allows for a better understanding of the varying perspectives held by the different contributors in the book. It also allows the reader to relate the different conceptualizations towards a better understanding of regions dynamics especially in the context of the years between 2001 and 2008.
Review of Geopolitics of XXI Century in Central Asia
This particular book devotes its contents to the geopolitics, security issues and international relations of Central Asia, more so after the terrorist attacks in the USA in September if 2001. The author tracks the impact of these changes on the global and regional situation in terms of balance of power. The author acknowledges the impact on the security situation in Central Asia by the West. The author reviews the influence of the USA, NATO, the European Union and Turkey, the forces that represent the West and draws a contrast with the influence emanating from Eastern powers like China and Russia (Laumulin
This is not entirely inconceivable going by the philosophy that everything is possible. However, I think that individual interests for the involvement in the region might get in the way of the region’s development. More precisely, if the region develops economically and politically, it will not be because the international powers involved worked together to facilitate the growth and development. This is because these powers have vested interests that must be met for continues involvement in the dynamics of the region. Again, there is the aspect of global domination. In considering this, I do not foresee a situation where competition between these powers is abated to the greater good of the region. My views notwithstanding, the author sets forth a witty and complex analysis of the regions dynamics especially in relation to international players.
Review of the Podcast: The United States and Central Asia after 2014
As I, I agreement with different scholars, have highlighted previously, the presence of the United States in Central Asia was chiefly due to its unfinished business in Afghanistan. This is bound to change after the events of 2014. International forces have been drawn down from Afghanistan. The implication of this is that the region will no longer be of strategic importance to the global strategy adopted by the United States. The drawdown of the forces from Afghanistan might undermine the precarious stability enjoyed by the region. The tragedy of this is that it has a domino effect leading back to the issues that led to the invasion of Afghanistan. This is because instability in Afghanistan will lead to the coalescing of the radical groups that were annihilated in the offensive by the United States. This might in turn cause troubles for the United States of America and by extension the international community. In this regard, the United States ought to rethink its strategy regarding Central Asia in order to address possible threats emanating from the region. The super power might also think about seeking productive involvement with other external actors like China and Russia. It is this debate that is contained in the report by Center for Strategic and International Studies. The report further outlines essential recommendations that are guided by realities in the region in their formulation. These recommendations aim to guide the advancement of engagements in Central Asia.
They also guide towards the promotion of political stability, security cooperation and sustainable growth in the region’s economy. The United States must recognize that the withdrawal of international forces from Afghanistan leaves a power gap that might be occupied by the wrong groups. The incumbent government must have devised a strategy to counter growing concerns in the region in the wake of the withdrawal of international forces. This notwithstanding, it is the best interests of the government to consider some of the recommendations floated in this report. It might be time to let the region develop in order to loot out radicalism and the threat of insecurity.
Works cited
Laruelle, Marlène, Peyrouse, Sébastien. Globalizing Central Asia: Geopolitics and the Challenges of Economic Development. M.E. Sharpe. New York. 2013. Print.
Laruelle, Marlène. Russian Nationalism, Foreign Policy and Identity Debates in Putin's Russia: New Ideological Patterns After the Orange Revolution. Stuttgart: ibidem, 2012. Print.
Laruelle, Marlène. Russian Nationalism, Foreign Policy, and Identity Debates in Putin's Russia: New Ideological Patterns After the Orange Revolution. Stuttgart: Ibidem-Verlag, 2012. Print.
Laumulin, Murat T. Geopolitics of Xxi Century in Central Asia, the. Almaty: Kazakhstan institute for strategic studies at the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, 2007. Print.
The United States and Central Asia after 2014”, CSIS Center for Strategic and International Studies (about 2 hrs), available as either audio or video at http://csis.org/node/41598/multimedia
