Russia’s Power Play In Central Asia

Russia’s longtime influence in Central Asia seemed to fade after the launch of its full-scale war on Ukraine in February 2022, as other countries pursued stronger relations with Central Asian states and active roles in lucrative projects. The Kremlin noticed and has countered with its own initiatives, of which the most binding may be a series of recent agreements that will increase some Central Asian states’ dependence on Russia for energy resources. Joining host Bruce Pannier to look at Russia’s counter-campaign to preserve its strong position in Central Asia are guests Assel Tutumlu, a lecturer at the International Relations and Political Science Department at the Near East University in Cyprus; Francis Olmos, a senior researcher in Central Asian affairs at Spain’s GEOPOL 21 Center and research fellow at the London-based Foreign Policy Centre; and Temur Umarov, a fellow at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center in Berlin.