RUSSIA’S POLICY IN CENTRAL ASIA DURING THE PUTIN ERA

Yıl 2019, Cilt: 1 Sayı: 2, 39 - 50, 31.07.2019

Abulkhairkhan Zhunısbek

Öz

The period immediately after the end of the Cold War (1991–1999) is often viewed as post-imperial and marked by Russia’s loss of the areas it once dominated. During Boris Yeltsin’s presidency, Moscow’s foreign policy was largely driven by a Euro-Atlanticist concept that put the post-Soviet countries, including those in Central Asia, on the periphery of its interests. In contrast, Vladimir Putin after his accession to power adopted a “multipolar world” concept of foreign policy, envisaging the Kremlin’s dominance in the Eurasian heartland. This article employs empirical studies of cause-effect relationships that discuss the evolution of Russia’s foreign policy orienteers. In particular, it looks into the question of what Vladimir Putin aimed to achieve in Central Asia and whether he managed to accomplish his goals. The article argues that the geopolitical considerations are the main determinants of Russia’s approach to Central Asia, with other factors like security and policies towards the Russian community being distinctive to each state separately.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Russia, Central Asia, multipolar world, foreign policy, vladimir putin

Kaynakça

• Baizakova, Zhulduz (2017). “Border Issues in Central Asia: Current Conflicts, Controversies and Compromises”. UNISCI, No. 45. Available at: http://dx.doi.org/10.5209/RUNI.57292. (Accessed: 20.05.2019).
• Bechain, Donna O. and Kevlihan, Rob (2013). “Threading a needle: Kazakhstan between civic and ethno-nationalistic state-building”. Nations and Nationalism 19(2): 337–356.
• Bowker, Mike and Ross, Cameron (1999). Russia After the Cold War. Edenborough: Pearson Education Limited. Cooley, Alexander and Laruelle, Marlene (2013). “The Changing Logic of Russian Strategy in Central Asia: From Privileged Sphere to Divide and Rule”. PONARIS Eurasia, Policy Memo No. 261.
• Duarte, Paulo (2017). Russia’s Eurasian Dream: The Original Sin Revisited. International Policy Digest. Available at: https://intpolicydigest. org/2017/10/19/russia-s-eurasian-dream-original-sin-revisited/. (Accessed: 04.04.2019).
• Frear, Matthew and Mazepus, Honarata (2017). “A New Turn or More of the Same? A Structured Analysis of Recent Developments in Russian Foreign Policy Discourse”. Eu-Strat Working Paper Series No. 3. Górecki, Wojciech (2014). Ever Further from Moscow Russia’s Stance on Central Asia. Warsaw: Center for Eastern Studies. Available at https://www.osw.waw.pl/sites/default/files/prace_48_ever_further_from_moscow_net.pdf. (Accessed: 04.07.2019).
• Jarosiewicz, Alexandra (2016). Perestroika the Nazarbayev Way: Crisis and Reforms in Kazakhstan. Center for Eastern Studies. Available at: https:// www.osw.waw.pl/sites/default/files/pw_58_perestroika-the-nazarbayev-way_net.pdf. (Accessed: 06.07.2019).
• Korinman, Michael and Laughland, John (2008). Russia: A New Cold War? London: Vallentine Mitchell Academic Publishers.
• Lo, Bobo (2015). Frontiers New and Old: Russia’s Policy in Central Asia. Russie.Nei.Vision (82).
• Mesbahi, Mohiaddin (1993). “Russian Foreign policy and security in Central Asia and the Caucasus”. Central Asia Survey 12(2): 181–215.
• Olcott, Martha B. (1996). Central Asia’s New States: Independence, Foreign Policy, and Regional Security. Washington D.C.: United States Institute of Peace Press.
• Paramonov, Vladimir and Strokov, Alexey (2013). “The Evolution of Russia’s Central Asia Policy”. Advanced Research and Assessment Group, Central Asian Series 08/21.
• Sencerman, Öncel (2018). “Russian Diaspora as a Means of Russian Foreign Policy”. Military Preview, March-April 2018: 40. Smith, Dianne L. (1996). “Central Asia: A New Great Game?” Asian Affairs: An American Review 23(3): 147–175.
• Zvyagelskaya, Irina (2009). Formation of Central Asian States. Political Process. Moscow: Aspect Press.