Central Asia: The High Cost To Maintaining Geopolitical Balance

Kuat Dombay

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Central Asia got caught in global geopolitical turmoil with its two giant neighbors – Russia confronting the West over Ukraine, and China, now region’s largest trading partner, expanding its influence in trade and policy. The region has to navigate carefully in a challenging landscape to preserve its important ties with the West.

Russia, a traditional power in the region, having lost influence over the South Caucasus and Syria, is striving to preserve its grip over Central Asia. There are two key reasons: this region is a strategic gateway to the South and China, and Central Asia has become increasingly important to Russia’s foreign trade, which has grown over 30% in the past three years (from $34.5 to $45 billion), despite—and in some respect because of—sanctions.