MIRAS ZHIYENBAYEV
The specter of great power rivalry, thought by some to be a relic of the 20th century, has been vividly resurrected by the war in Ukraine.
As the dust starts to settle on the immediate repercussions of this conflict, a new, perhaps more nuanced, theater for this competition is taking shape in Central Asia.
While observers have long noted the region’s strategic importance, the anticipated post-Ukraine normalization – a period of recalibration and re-engagement – positions Central Asia as a potential focal point where the interests of Russia, China and the United States are increasingly converging with often palpable tension.
Crucially, unlike other contested spaces, two of these powers share extensive borders with the region, adding a layer of geographical proximity that intensifies the stakes.
Central Asia, comprising Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, finds itself at a critical juncture.
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