... policy ambitions. Some observers are even sounding the alarm about potential consequences on Russia’s security and influence around its southern borders. We talked to
Mr. Zhao Huasheng
about the implications of such a project for the future of Central Asia and Russia-China relations. Zhao Huasheng, professor and director of the Center for Russia and Central Asia Studies, Fudan University, Shanghai
What are China’s underlying interests for the New Silk Road Project? Is the country primarily ...
In November 2013 the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC) published a working paper entitled “Assisting Development in Central Asia: Strategic Horizons of Russian Engagement” that provides information about the potential steps Russia should take in order to respond to the crisis-prone development of the countries in the region. The work that has been done by the RIAC ...
If Russia fails to streamline and increase its assistance to Central Asia within five years, transborder threats will inevitably increase, with Moscow losing its clout in the region, primarily to Beijing’s benefit.
On November 8, RIAC presented its
working paper “Development Assistance in Central ...
In case of destabilization in Afghanistan following the withdrawal of coalition troops in 2014, countries of Central Asia will be the first to feel the negative repercussions. Is there anything Russia can do to prevent disasters at its southern borders?
On November 8, 2013 the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC) will be presenting its working paper ...
An international conference entitled “Creating a business cooperation community encompassing China and Central Asia” was held in the Center for Russian and Central Asian Studies at the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences on November 4-5, 2013. The conference was devoted to the concept of the Silk Road proposed by China’s president Xi Jinping ...
Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC) held a meeting with
Patricia Flor
, EU Special Representative for Central Asia, and her colleagues –
Caroline Milow
, Political Advisor to EU Special Representative for Central Asia, and
Rein Tammsaar
, Senior Advisor at the Political department of the EU Delegation to the Russian Federation. RIAC Deputy Program ...
... model for Moldavian, Georgian and even Armenian aspirations to join the EU. Umland believes that Armenia may not be entirely lost to the Russian Customs Union, even after it rejected moves from the EU (See: Euractiv, 2013). It could even be a model for Central Asia. I have to come in at this stage and say this is getting somewhat absurd as we know that this area has always been a burden on the USSR, so why the EU or EU taxpayers will want such enlargement is very questionable. No gas prowess of the ...
... prolonged strategy of “multiplying its foreign linkages and reducing dependence upon any one partner”; whilst also varying supply routes via land and sea (Blank, 1991: 649-51; 2010). I have explored some of these partners in my older post (e.g. Central Asia or Russia; see: China Post), but extent of success via diversification depends on a heap of reasons. A lot will be down to future growth in demand, amount of oil needed to make $1000 of GDP (currently falling, which is positive), stability ...
... woman’s voice - “Safety is everyone’s concern” - referring to possibly dangerous lost bags. Although it sounds a little utopian, this phrase really describes one of U.S. key mottoes, which is also used in foreign affairs. In case of Central Asia the concern on it’s safety and security was leading among discussed regional issues, competing only with water problem. This autumn, as the new academic year starts, scholars in U.S. capital are discussing security in Central Asia, ...
... international order emerging in 2001 from the post–Cold War transition will last until the mid-2040s. A decade-long crisis set off by events in Uzbekistan will then produce a Sino-centric international system with diminished Russian influence in Central Asia. Faced with combined Chinese and Islamist militancy in the region, Russia will abandon its revisionist entente with China and Iran in favor of diplomatic and geo-economic rapprochement with Europe and North America. By 2079, implementation ...
