No. 248: Central Asia

Author(s): Rico Isaacs, Edward Lemon, Bradley Jardine, Luca Anceschi
Series Editor(s): Stephen Aris, Matthias Neumann, Robert Orttung, Jeronim Perović, Heiko Pleines, Hans-Henning Schröder, Aglaya Snetkov
Series: Russian Analytical Digest (RAD)
Volume: 248
Publisher(s): Center for Security Studies (CSS), ETH Zürich; Research Centre for East European Studies (FSO), University of Bremen; Institute for European, Russian and Eurasian Studies (IERES), George Washington University; Center for Eastern European Studies (CEES), University of Zurich; German Association for East European Studies (DGO)
Publication Year: 2020

The topic of this issue focuses on Russia's relations with three Central Asian Republics. Firstly, Rico Issacs examines the implications of Nazarbayev’s decision to step down as president for Kazakhstan's policy towards Russia, highlighting continuity and arguing the most significant aspect may prove to be the lessons learned by Putin from Nazarbayev’s orchestrated departure. Secondly, Edward Lemon and Bradley Jardine consider Russia’s growing unease about China's expanding security cooperation with Tajikistan, because it represents a potential challenge to Moscow's role as Dushanbe’s security guarantor. Thirdly, Luca Anceschi assesses the Russo-Turkmen relationship, noting that a decline in the importance of gas trade and an increase in significance of security cooperation in relation to Afghanistan has altered the equation governing the relationship.

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