"Misaligned Competition":The New Dynamics of Major Powers'Interactions in Central Asia
Since the independence of Central Asian countries,the major extra-regional powers,namely Russia,the United States,and China,have engaged in a pattern of"misaligned competition"in their interactions in Central Asia.The"misalignment"is reflected in several key areas.Firstly,Russia,the United States and China hold disparate positions on Central Asia.Secondly,Russia has invested the most in Central Asia among the three countries,followed by China and the United States.Thirdly,in terms of influence in Central Asia,Russia is primarily engaged in politics and security,the United States in the social sphere,and China in the economic domain.The principal factors that have led to the formation of this pattern are as follows:Firstly,Russia,the United States,and China each have distinct strategic objectives with regard to Central Asia.Russia is attempting to regain its historical preeminence in Central Asia,the United States is dedicated to"containment,integration and shaping",and China is focused on maintaining stability along its western border and advancing the"Belt and Road"initiative.Secondly,the perception of threats and opportunities in Central Asia differs between Russia,the United States,and China.Russia identifies a greater number of threats and opportunities in Central Asia than the United States,while China's perception of these factors falls somewhere between the two.Thirdly,the three countries have disparately comparative advantages in Central Asia.Russia's advantages are primarily historical,cultural,and economic,while the United States'advantages are normative and institutional,as well as the presence of allies.China's advantages are primarily economic.The"misaligned competition"pattern has maintained order and stability in Central Asia in the short term and has also enabled Central Asian countries to engage in"multi-balancing"diplomacy.In recent years,however,Russia,the United States,and China have increased their attention and investment in Central Asia.As a result,the degree of misalignment in their interactions is gradually decreasing.It seems inevitable that competition among the major powers in Central Asia will become increasingly fierce.
"Misaligned Competition"Great Power CompetitionCentral AsiaC5+1Cooperation betwenn China and Central Asia
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