Central Asian States Research Articles

CENTRAL ASIA PLUS JAPAN DIALOGUE: ITS ROLE IN JAPAN’S STRATEGY IN CENTRAL ASIA

The article researches the Central Asia and Japan Dialogue (CAJ) which was established in 2004 with the aim of fostering intraregional integration and increasing Japan’s role in the region. It analyses the role it plays in Japan’s strategy in Central Asia, in the way it contributes to the realisation of Japan’s foreign policy goals towards the region. In almost 20 years CAJ has become a permanent framework for discussions which combines official dialogue and informal track and covers wide spectrum of issues, from political agenda to development assistance. CAJ has become instrumental in outlining the areas of practical cooperation although it did not lead to full scale economic integration of the countries of the region. CAJ is an important venue for discussing security agenda as well as maintaining Japan’s engagement in the issues of Afghanistan. Political agenda of CAJ has been restrained as it reflects Japan’s awareness of the close relationship of the Central Asian states with China and Russia, however, in times when Japan’s relations with China and Russia are characterized by a certain level of tensions, Tokyo tends to use CAJ to gain CA supports vis-à-vis these states. . Global issues are less controversial and are usually discussed multilaterally.

Перспективы сотрудничества Российской Федерации и стран Средней Азии в сфере безопасности

Central Asia currently plays an important geopolitical role in maintaining the balance of power in Eurasia. Russia's role in the development of the situation in the region is evolving, but remains one of the leading ones. The development of modern global geopolitical processes dictates the need for the Russian Federation to search for territorial areas to strengthen its influence in order to increase the level of protection from external challenges and threats. Strategically important in this regard is the building of constructive cooperation between our country and the states of Central Asia, aimed at ensuring the comprehensive security of all parties. The features of cooperation between the Russian Federation and the countries of Central Asia in the field of security, its directions and forms are described. The key threats in the field of security and the institutional mechanisms formed to counter these threats are considered.

Democratic Transition or Autocratic Adjustment? Constitutional Amendments in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan in 2022–2023

Central Asian states have recently implemented significant constitutional reforms. In the case of the authoritarian republics of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, the nature of the constitutional amendments, introduced in 2022 and 2023, respectively, is hard to accurately assess. On the one hand, they are a step towards democratization and strengthened guarantees of human rights and freedoms; on the other, they reinforce the current undemocratic government mechanisms. This article discusses the most recent constitutional reforms in both countries, distinguishing three main areas of change: ideology, social issues, and governance mechanisms. It is argued that these reforms generally fall within the paradigm of authoritarian constitutionalism and are an adjustment of the countries’ constitutions to the current needs of their undemocratic presidents.

The political economy of education in Central Asia: exploring the fault lines of social cohesion

ABSTRACT This scoping review examines the political economy analysis of education in four Central Asian states – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. By analysing the intersections of politics, economy, society and education policy, the study aims to understand the impact of post-Soviet education reforms on social justice and cohesion. The findings reveal that despite commitments to building peaceful and inclusive societies, the education systems in these states tend to promote asymmetric nationalist discourses and adopt neoliberal practices, resulting in the marginalisation of vulnerable groups, such as ethnic minorities, women, rural populations, and devout believers. The implications of these findings can inform efforts to promote sustainable positive peace and social cohesion through education.

WATER SECURITY IN THE KYRGYZ REPUBLIC: POST-SOVIET CHALLENGES AND REGIONAL DYNAMICS

The article describes the features of the use of water resources of the Kyrgyz Republic after the collapse of the USSR in 1991. Water security, stocks and potential of water resources are considered. At the same time, examples show the importance of water resources in the economy and politics of the Kyrgyz Republic, relations with the states of Central Asia. An analysis of tensions with neighboring countries on water resources was carried out. The importance, benefits and potential problems of the CASA-1000 project are also analyzed. The article describes the legal regulation of water resources in the Kyrgyz Republic, economic benefits and role in international relations.

Political Mentality and Its Transformation (In the Case of Post–Communist Uzbekistan)

The article analyzes the transformational processes under the influence of universal democratic values (human rights and freedoms, pluralism, justice, democracy, democratic political governance) in the political mentality of ethnic Uzbeks, who make up the majority of the population, on the example of Uzbekistan, one of the post–communist young independent states of Central Asia. Adoption of democratic laws is not enough for the political transformation of society. The democratic political transformation in the spiritual life of the society cannot be achieved without changing the communist values that have been forcefully instilled in the human mind by the communist political regime for 70 years, without completely removing them from the life of the person and the society. Today, the post–Soviet Uzbek society is undergoing a complex and difficult process of spiritual transformation.

CHINESE SOURCES ON THE AMIR TEMUR EMPIRE

The article discusses the information about the Empire of Amir Timur containing in Chinese sources, as well as the issues of trade and diplomatic relations between the Empire of Amir Timur and China. The article is based on materials from Chinese sources, primarily the Ming Shi (History of the Ming Dynasty) and the Ming Shilu (Veritable Records of the Ming Dynasty), as well as data from Chinese scholarly literature. It presents several little-known facts about the relations between China and Central Asian states.

Consideration of the Environment in Water-Energy-Food Nexus Research in the Aral Sea Basin

The water-energy-food (WEF) nexus is a holistic concept used to understand the synergies and trade-offs of interdependent water, energy, and food resources. Despite its widespread use, this concept often overlooks environmental concerns. In addition, the lack of a systemic approach in the Aral Sea Basin (ASB) has resulted in serious environmental degradation. For instance, the Aral Sea, situated at the terminus of the basin, is steadily shrinking, yet researchers studying the WEF nexus tend to overlook the upstream tributaries of the basin. This study aims to determine the extent to which research on the WEF nexus in the ASB in Central Asia has considered the environment through a systematic review of the literature published between 2012 and 2022. The results indicate that the number of WEF publications regarding the ASB has seen an upward trend, with a primary focus on the transboundary level and less research available on the local and national levels. This confirms the strong reliance of Central Asian states on one another for food, energy, and water resources. Furthermore, the results show that the majority of published studies either do not consider environmental concerns in their analyses at all or do so with little precision. Therefore, to achieve precise and sustainable outcomes, this study recommends the inclusion of environmental concerns along with basin-wide coverage in future WEF analyses. Finally, the WEF concept should be downscaled to the national and local levels in order to facilitate its implementation.

Trade flows of Central Asian states within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization

Aim. To form a systematic understanding of the structure of trade of Central Asian states within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).Objectives. To analyze the commodity structure of trade flows and their geographical distribu- tion; to identify key characteristics of trade flow networks of Central Asian states within the SCO.Methods. Statistical analysis of the geographical, commodity, sectoral structure of exports and imports of goods, as well as the degree of their technological capacity.Results. It can be stated that there are practically no high-tech groups of goods among the significant commodity groups in the trade of Central Asian SCO member states with their part- ners in this organization. Moreover, to a large extent the growth of trade turnover of the countries is conditioned by the intensification of supplies of various raw materials to China (oil, ore, textile and agrarian raw materials). The pattern of “raw materials for raw materials” trade exchange often persists, especially between the Central Asian states proper; moreover, these countries are to a large extent competitors, as the commodity structure of their export flows largely coincides (in particular, in terms of raw materials and agrarian products). Conclusions. The current situation hampers the development of industrial cooperation between the SCO countries. The fact that the “One Belt - One Road” initiative is based on the established trade specializations of the countries may, on the one hand, “revive” trade relations in the region, on the other hand, consolidate the role of Central Asian states as suppliers of raw ma- terials for China.

Re-Centring Central Asia and the Chinese ‘New Great Game’

Central Asia being a heartland of Eurasia has attracted the attention of the Great Powers as it remained an important part of the ‘Great Game’. In the post-Cold War and post-9/11 era, the Central Asian states gained importance due to their proximity to the Caspian Sea and their abundant resources, such as natural gas, oil, and minerals.China, situated in its close geographical proximity, relies on the Central Asian region to fulfil itsincreasing energy demands. Simultaneously, Central Asian states have found China a valuable partner for trade and security cooperation. Economic incentives like the One Belt One Road and the String of Pearls strategy of China engage these states with China as their interests converge from security to economy. This synergy has led China to rely on the Central Asian states to manage non-state actors operating in China's Xinjiang region. China and Central Asian states’ relations highlight the mutual reliance of all parties and create a win-win situation for each other. The increasing Chinese influence in CARs makes Russiasceptical of China’s dominance in the region. This study underscores the collaboration between China and the Central Asian states and also delves into the potential hurdles that could affect this partnership

Турция в Центральной Азии: “третья сила”?

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Turkiye attempted to build “special” relations with the new independent states of Central Asia, filling the power vacuum in the region. The results of these efforts were contradictory and generally disappointing for Ankara, ending not only in decline of its activity in the region, but also abandonment of its claims to leadership. Although Turkiye made significant progress in developing economic, cultural, and humanitarian ties with Central Asian states in the following decades, the region in general was not among the top priorities of its foreign policy. However, Turkiye’s activization in Central Asia in recent years gives grounds to talk about Ankara’s “return” to the region, the reasons for which are related both to the ongoing global and regional shifts and changes in Turkiye’s foreign policy and foreign policy identity. In a situation of intensifying great power competition and increasing conflict in international relations, the Central Asian states are seeking a new balance in their foreign policy. While maintaining close ties with Russia and China, the two dominant powers in the region, they are simultaneously trying to diversify their foreign policy. Perceived as a rising power by the leaders of Central Asian states, Ankara appears to them as an attractive partner capable of both strengthening the security of their states and giving a new impetus to the development of their economies. However, despite the strengthening of Turkiye’s position in Central Asia, facilitated in particular by the institutionalization of the integration processes of the Turkic states, Ankara’s attempt to become a “third force” in the region may face a number of constraints and challenges. One of them is that Central Asia is growing in importance not only for Turkiye but also for Russia and China, as well as other extra-regional powers.

«The Secret History» – the cultural heritage of the nomads of Central Asia.

The article presents the results of an analysis of the «The secret history», a monument of writing of the XIII century. It makes important discoveries regarding the place that this cultural text occupies in the spiritual culture of the peoples of Central Asia, the ways through which it has reached our days and the phenomenon of continuity. The «The secret history» is a genealogy of the ancestors of the world-famous conqueror Genghis Khan, dating from the beginning of the VIII century, continued during his reign during the lifetime of Genghis Khan himself and completed in 1240 under Crown Prince Ogedei Khan. The value of the chronicle lies in the fact that it contains detailed information about the cultural, spiritual, social, and political phenomena that took place in the history of the medieval nomadic Turks, their worldview, intertribal and tribal relations, and the rulers who ruled the country. The article examines the internal connections in the text of the «The secret history», contextual elements, connections of epic poems-dastans of the Turkic peoples with historical documents that have become sources of the chronicle. Genotheism, the ancestor of Borte-Chino from the «The secret history» is considered by analogy with the batyr Borte-Chino from the medieval history of the Turkic peoples. Important information and information from the «The secret history» through the heirs of Genghis Khan, who ruled over various states of Central Asia, formed the basis for the appearance of numerous genealogies with similar content and motives. Based on the study of the spiritual heritage of the Turks who lived in the Great Steppe before and after the appearance of Genghis Khan, issues of succession of generations, influence on subsequent chronicles, the «The secret history» is assessed as a very valuable monument, a common cultural heritage for the peoples of Central Asia. The results of the study show the importance of fundamental study of the «The secret history» in the context of preserving the cultural heritage of Central Asia. The article focuses on the importance of in-depth analysis of the original of this monument of writing, taking into account the role of the «The secret history» in the formation of the cultural mosaic landscape of the Kazakhs.

Эволюция политики КНР по взаимодействию со странами Центральной Азии в сфере безопасности

The geopolitical and geostrategic position of Central Asia and, in particular, oil and gas reserves, the potential of transit and communication routes have led to a new round of interest of the leading world powers in the countries of the region. At the same time, for the People’s Republic of China, which is usually considered as the main “creditor” of the Central Asian countries, interaction with the states of the region in the field of security becomes a priority. This article identifies changes in the PRC’s approaches to ensuring security in the states of Central Asia by studying the rhetoric of officials representing the relevant Chinese departments, as well as taking into account the chronology of the signing of relevant agreements between the Chinese side and the countries of the region, establishing and changing interaction formats. In addition, the content and scope of China’s military and military-technical cooperation with the countries of Central Asia are analyzed from 2001 to 2023. Concerning the data presented, a conclusion is made about the main regional factors that influenced the evolution of the PRC’s policy in the region in the field of security. Based on the proposed logic of the work, the author identifies several stages of the PRC’s policy towards building interaction with the countries of Central Asia. At the initial stage of interaction, China’s policy in Central Asia was determined by the need to protect its own borders and limit the spread of the “three forces of evil” from Central Asia to Chinese territory. In 2009–2010 the PRC is becoming an important economic partner of the countries of Central Asia, and the basis for the goal setting of its security policy is the protection of its transport, energy, infrastructure (or generally economic) projects. In the future, most of these projects will be complemented and expanded as part of the implementation of the Belt and Road initiative in the region. Since 2019 the PRC has added to the format of interaction with the countries the component of bilateral anti-terrorist exercises, which it conducts under the auspices of its own campaign “Cooperation‑2019”. At the present stage, the interaction of the PRC with the Central Asian countries in the field of security is formed under the influence of the “China + Central Asia” format, where there are no external players like Russia or India and Pakistan.

Орталық Азия мемлекеттеріндегі азаматтық және саяси құқықтарды қамтамасыз ету және қорғау мәселесі

The article considers the main issues in the field of protection of civil and political rights in the countries of Central Asia. The study examined the historical development and current state of the problem of ensuring civil and political rights in the Central Asian states. In the course of the study, decisions of the United Nations treaty bodies and scientific literature on the topic of the study were examined. In the course of the study, the national legislation of the countries of Central Asia was examined. The study showed that the following civil and political rights and freedoms are seriously violated in the countries of Central Asia: freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and association, freedom of conscience and religion, the right to a fair trial and the right not to be subjected to torture and other cruel acts and forms of punishment. The study proposed a conclusion to consider amending national legislation and forming new mechanisms to ensure civil and political rights in order to protect and safeguard the right to freedom of expression and not to be subjected to torture or other cruel punishment in the countries of Central Asia.

A influência da cultura ocidental na ciência dos Estados da Ásia Central e do Cazaquistão

Abstract: The relevance of the study is due to the fact that the Central Asia’s culture is of great interest for modern sociological science as an object of study of intercultural interaction and as a multifaceted, complex, controversial, and dynamic phenomenon. The topic of the influence of Western culture and philosophy on the science of more Eastern regions, according to the authors, has been rather neglected. The purpose of the paper is to study the influence of Western culture on the Central Asian states and Kazakhstan’s science, including philosophical, historical and cultural direction. The comparative approach was used to study materials on the development of Western science and their distribution in the foreign countries’ cultures, as well as the analysis of these materials. As a result, a series of statements was deduced that confirms the influence of Western science on Kazakhstan’s and Central Asia’s countries’ science. It was concluded that democratic ideas, educational sentiments and revolutionary movements, in Russia, had a significant impact on Central Asia and Kazakhstan.

Орталық Азия мемлекеттеріндегі азаматтық және саяси құқықтарды қамтамасыз ету және қорғау мәселесі

The article considers the main issues in the field of protection of civil and political rights in the countries of Central Asia. The study examined the historical development and current state of the problem of ensuring civil and political rights in the Central Asian states. In the course of the study, decisions of the United Nations treaty bodies and scientific literature on the topic of the study were examined. In the course of the study, the national legislation of the countries of Central Asia was examined. The study showed that the following civil and political rights and freedoms are seriously violated in the countries of Central Asia: freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and association, freedom of conscience and religion, the right to a fair trial and the right not to be subjected to torture and other cruel acts and forms of punishment. The study proposed a conclusion to consider amending national legislation and forming new mechanisms to ensure civil and political rights in order to protect and safeguard the right to freedom of expression and not to be subjected to torture or other cruel punishment in the countries of Central Asia.

Новый этап в решении проблем трансграничных рек Центральной Азии (2016–2023 гг.)

The article constitutes a comprehensive analysis of diplomatic efforts undertaken from 2016 to 2023, aimed at resolving transboundary water resource issues in Central Asia. The article delves into attempts to address this issue, commencing from the period immediately following the dissolution of the USSR, while also scrutinizing potential reasons for unsuccessful endeavors. In the process of dissecting the reasons behind these failures, authors identify factors that may have complicated interstate relations in this sphere. Additionally, significant attention is paid to analyzing the current state of water resources and international relations within the region. To conduct a detailed and systemic analysis of the relationships among the Central Asian states, authors employ a retrospective method, examining the initial attempts at conflict resolution. The method offers a deeper understanding of the factors and events that have influenced the current state of water relations in the region. The chronological method aids in reconstructing the sequence of pertinent events, linking them together, and documenting crucial temporal changes. Official agreements, declarations, and initiatives undertaken by countries in pursuit of solutions to water-related issues are thoroughly examined. The analysis of official documents serves to confirm the dynamics of dialogue between countries and identifies potential areas of cooperation, such as collaborative resource utilization and the development and implementation of coordinated strategies for water resource management. As a result of the study, authors conclude that despite active political engagement in conflict resolution efforts, effectiveness has remained low due to the predominant inclination of Central Asian countries to protect their national interests exclusively. If each nation's national interest includes resolving issues related to the management and control of water resources, integration could emerge as one of the primary mechanisms for achieving this goal. Education of experts and diplomats in the field of water resource management can contribute to more effective problem-solving and foster better mutual understanding among the countries in the region. For instance, collaboration in the realm of educating specialists in water diplomacy, training qualified personnel, and evaluating the efficacy of international approaches to addressing this issue are considered essential components of a potential solution.

Экономическая стратегия ЕС в Центральной Азии: роль Франции

The article examines the strategy of France and the EU in Central Asia (CA) aimed at strengthening economic (including trade and investment) positions, primarily in the key countries of the region (Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan) against the background of geopolitical turbulence. Based on strategic documents of the European Union, conclusions are drawn about the increasing importance of the Central Asian region for the EU, as well as about the evolution of EU-Central Asia relations towards a more institutionalised dialogue, which, in particular, is demonstrated by the adoption of the ‘Joint Roadmap for Deepening Ties between the EU and Central Asia’ in 2023. Special attention is paid to the structure of trade and investment relations between the Central Asian states and the EU and France, the analysis of which also demonstrates an increasing mutual interest in cooperation. The article emphasizes the use of trade with Central Asia by the EU and France as a tool for diversifying imports of critical raw materials. The article also considers the directions of the investment strategy of European countries, mainly aimed at the development of transport corridors through the territory of Central Asian countries in the region as a whole and the strategy of French companies in Central Asia, especially in the energy sector. A growing interest in investing in the nuclear industry of Kazakhstan, the largest uranium producer in the world, against the backdrop of France’s declining influence in Africa, is highlighted. The authors explain Kazakhstan’s motivation in expanding cooperation in this area, which consists in the interest in obtaining French technologies for nuclear power plants. The activities of companies such as EDF and Orano, as well as TotalEnergies, which is developing renewable energy sources in the country, are cited as examples. France and the EU, by soft power and economic instruments strive to become a counterweight to the influence of Russia and China in the Region.

Legitimacy and Nationalism in the Central Asian States: A Case of Kazakhstan in the Context of the War in Ukraine

This paper aims to analyze selected mechanisms accompanying the processes of national revival in the Central Asian republics after the collapse of the Soviet Union. The idea is to investigate the authorities’ actions, which legitimized themselves by appealing to national issues and controlling the processes of building national consciousness. The paper also covers the changes in the nationalist narrative in Kazakhstan in the context of the war in Ukraine, showing the tensions over national identities and loyalties. Some Kazakhs supported Russian aggression against Ukraine, to the great disappointment of national patriots, which has sparked a debate about how the “us” vs. “them” division should be understood in the face of war and a possible threat from Russia. Some participants in the debate question the reliability of equating national identity with loyalty to the state. In doing so, they challenge the government’s primordial narrative, in which nationality legitimizes or naturalizes the current configuration of political power.

Combating terrorist threats in the Republic of Tajikistan

This study aims to analyze and evaluate the effectiveness of measures to combat terrorist threats in the Republic of Tajikistan. The article examines not only the problem of terrorism in the region, but also assesses its impact on the development and stability of the state and society as a whole. In the context of global trends related to international terrorism, extremism and drug trafficking, special attention is paid to their impact on Central Asia and the post-Soviet space. The region is becoming vulnerable to such threats, and therefore effective cooperation between States and international organizations in combating these problems is important. The current problems are analyzed, including the changing nature of global terrorism and its spread, especially in Afghanistan. The growth of extremist organizations and drug trafficking is also being revealed, which poses serious challenges to Tajikistan's national security. The study analyzed data obtained from various sources, which made it possible to identify significant challenges and threats to which the Central Asian states are exposed. Special attention is paid to global processes and their impact on the security of the region, as well as internal factors determining the socio-political situation in the Republic of Tajikistan. The novelty of this study lies in the importance of collective counteraction to terrorist threats and their impact on the stability and development of the Republic of Tajikistan. Considering the problem not only from the point of view of internal security, but also in the context of global trends, the study reveals the relationship between terrorism and other problems such as extremism and drug trafficking.This study highlights the important role of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan in ensuring the country's security and countering threats. The article also discusses issues of cooperation with neighboring states and international organizations in the field of combating terrorism, which is also a new and relevant aspect of the study. Special attention is paid to the relevance and importance of these issues for ensuring the stability and development of the states of the Central Asian region. In the context of the changing global situation and the increasing influence of terrorism and extremism, the article emphasizes the need to effectively respond to threats and take appropriate measures to ensure the security of the region as a whole.