Washington's policy against the backdrop of fierce competition between the U.S. and China in Central Asia

Abstract

The article identifies Washington's priorities in the process of implementing its policy towards Central Asia, especially in the context of strengthening Beijing’s position in the region which is its main military and economic rival. Fierce competition for the world influence has made Central Asia one of the priority regions of the post-Soviet space for both the United States and China, due to the presence of large natural resource reserves located here, as well as its important transit potential, which permits constructing suitable logistics there thus providing a close link between Europe and Asia. The reasons for the United States’ increased interest for this country are determined together with profound analysis of Washington’s ways and means on the way of implementing its policies toward Central Asia. The main levers used by the United States in the region are, first of all, its solid financial capabilities, though currently Washington is far behind Beijing in this area. At the same time, it seems that US inclination to take a leading position in the thus China aside will directly depend on the way to what extent the United States could become much more attractive in comparison with China on the way of implementing both countries’ ambitious policies toward the region.