SCO and the US: Convergence and Divergence of Interests

Abstract

There were six autonomous Muslim countries in the area following the collapse of the USSR. They still had economic and security issues and were undeveloped. Together with China and Russia, three Central Asian states Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan have agreed to establish an organization to settle their border disputes and address security concerns. The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), was established as a defence alliance in 2001 to combat three evils (terrorism, extremism, and separatism). Due to the abundance of natural resources in the Central Asian region, regional and extra-regional powers also wish to demonstrate their presence in the area for the sake of their own national interests. By analyzing the secondary sources of data, it has been established that SCO has the capacity to make use of local resources.The USA wants to establish its influence in the Central Asian area as a superpower. The major countries have hegemonic aspirations in the area, particularly Russia, China, and the USA. The SCO and the USA do not directly oppose one another. A conflict between the US and the SCO members may result from the USA's backing for the democratic movement in the Central Asian States.