Great Game Research Articles

Origins of the Great Game: The Ochakov Crisis of 1791 as an Allusion of History

Origins of the Great Game: The Ochakov Crisis of 1791 as an Allusion of History

The Great Game, or the Struggle for a New World

The Great Game, or the Struggle for a New World

Russia's Expanding Influence in the Arctic: A Comprehensive Analysis of the New Great Game in the North Pole

The undertaken research investigates the contemporary demonstration of the “Great Game” in the North Pole by considering Russia’s expanding pivot towards the region. In the last two decades, the Arctic region has undergone significant changes due to anthropogenic climate change. The rising global temperatures and the rapid ice-melting in the region are opening up new opportunities for the great powers including Russia and NATO members for maritime trade and economic opportunities. Unlike the NATO neighbours, the Russian involvement in the Arctic region both in terms of military and economic investment is unprecedented. By employing a theoretical framework based on the Realist School of International Relations, specifically the theory of geopolitics, this study analyzes the various dimensions of Russia's involvement in the Arctic. The research examines Russia's two major strategic objectives: balancing geopolitical competition with aspirations for cooperation and assessing its implications for economic, geopolitical, and security landscapes. By carrying out a comprehensive investigation of Russia's diplomatic initiatives, strategic manoeuvres and military presence, the study aims to explore the motivations behind its expansion to the Arctic region. Finally, the research investigates the consequences of the Russian rapid expansion towards the Arctic region for geopolitical affairs and regional stability by emphasizing the sustainable security architecture to prevent a geopolitical turf between Russia and its NATO neighbours.

The Great Game and the border issue in the Pamirs in the reports of Ralph Cobbold, 1898‒1899

The 1890s were a time of growing tension in Central Asia, stemming both from the geopolitical confrontation between the Russian and British empires and from the desire of Afghanistan and China to realise their own national interests and use the struggle of the dominant political forces to their own ends. One of the most difficult issues was the border dispute, i.e. fixing the border between Russia and Afghanistan, on the one hand, and Russia and China, on the other. Britain sought to exploit the differences on this issue to its own advantage, which could well have led to the outbreak of hostilities. The mechanism for identifying weaknesses in Russia’s position in the Pamirs comes out clearly in the 1898‒1899 reports of the British intelligence officer Ralph Cobbold, preserved in the National Archives of India. They characterise the actions of the Russian authorities in the Pamirs, the attitude of the local population to the opposing sides, and potential instruments of local influence that would allow Britain to bring the region under its control. The Russian diplomatic and military administrations were aware of the aspirations of the British Empire and used both the “stick” and the “carrot” to maintain the status quo in the region: in some issues they had to make concessions, in others the Russian side acted rigidly. Such an approach not only kept the Central Asian region in the frames of peaceful development, but also was one of the foundations of the conclusion of the Russian-British pact on the division of spheres of influence in the Middle East and Central Asia in 1907, which put an end to the Great Game and allowed the formation of the Triple Anglo-Franco-Russian alliance.

The Great Game of Space: Space Political Adventurism and Battle for Superpower Status Beyond the Horizons

Wars will not be fought on the grounds in future, but explosions will occur beyond horizons. The subject of advanced strategies of Great Powers, space militarization, and political adventurism of China, USA, and Russia has been extensively inscribed in this research paper. The paper mainly reflects the political stratagem and space arms race of Russia, China, and the USA, which are combating each other for power status in orbits of space. As China and Russia challenge USA dominance in space, the USA seeks to weaponize space to maintain its supremacy and counter these rivals. The evolving international structure and world order are steering warfare into new dimensions, with space militarization posing nontraditional security threats like spying, surveillance, space debris, and satellite destruction. Technology has advanced to the point where states have developed sophisticated spy satellites and anti-satellite weapons capable of targeting other satellites from space or the ground. Despite international legal efforts and multilateral cooperation, major powers continue to expand their space arsenals, creating national security concerns. The study argues that international institutions have failed to curb the space arms race due to their ineffectiveness. Thus, there is a need for a shift in focus to find common ground and resolve this space security conflict. The paper provides a theoretical overview of the role of international institutions and state behavior in the international system. Using qualitative research techniques, the study conducts in-depth exploration through secondary data gathered from various articles, journals, reports, vlogs, videos, and magazines. Descriptive and explanatory research approaches are employed to achieve the research objectives.

The Other Great Game: The Opening of Korea and the Birth of Modern East Asia

The Other Great Game: The Opening of Korea and the Birth of Modern East Asia

Colonial Ambitions and Afghan Sovereignty: Analyzing the First Anglo-Afghan War

In the 19th century, Russia and the United Kingdom fought one other diplomatically in an attempt to gain more influence in southern Asia. The Russians called it a "shadow tournament," but the British invented the phrase "Great Game." The ascent to prominence of Amir Dost Muhammad Khan was seen by the British as a danger to their interests in India. It was claimed that by using Amir, Russia was intruding on India's borders. Russia's ambitions for regional expansion coincided with the British invasion of Afghanistan. The British redirected their attention to Afghanistan as a result of this development. The British persevered even after they were unable to persuade Amir Dost Muhammad Khan to sign a treaty that would have ended Russian control. Russia continued to communicate with the Amir of Kabul during this time. Consequently, in 1839 the British launched an invasion of Afghanistan, which restored Shah Shuja to his former position. A long-lasting and deadly power battle between the Sadozais and the Barakzais, two sections of the Durrani tribe, took place in Afghanistan in the early 1800s. Dost Mohammad Khan was named the new Emir of Kabul after the Barakzais won the civil war. However, in the midst of the internal strife, Ranjit Singh, the ruler of the Sikh kingdom, took control of Peshawar. This led to a huge and irreversible conflict of interest between Afghanistan and the Sikh state. In addition to identifying the crucial person who made the choice that ultimately sparked hostilities, the essay aims to make clear how these factors interacted and contributed to the start of the conflict. This invasion was a major blow to the British, and it was a turning moment in modern history because it was the first time the Afghans and the British had faced off, which ultimately led to the British's defeat. For its inquiry and study, this article uses a descriptive research approach and technique.

(Un)forgotten: in the shadow of the Great Game, or East Asia in trans-imperial contexts

This article looks at the juxtaposition of empires, exploring how linkages between and across varied imperial phenomena might work. Through the career of Harry Smith Parkes (1828–85), British minister to China, Japan and Korea, as well as almost forgotten stories of the British occupation of Geomundo or the Port Hamilton Affair (1885–87) in Korea, it aims to understand the interconnectedness of geopolitical regions and the work of global processes in trans-imperial contexts. Parkes is a controversial figure who played a key role in the relations between East Asia and the West from the 1850s until the 1880s. After he died in Beijing in 1885, his bust was unveiled in the crypt of St Paul’s Cathedral. Meanwhile, in Shanghai, a bronze statue of Parkes was placed on its pedestal in 1890. While the monument to the British imperial past in China was removed by the Japanese during the Second World War, the white marble bust remains in metropolitan London, representing the imperial hero. British soldiers who died during the occupation and their gravesites in Korea, by contrast, have been largely forgotten in British imperial history. In the nineteenth century, Geomundo (Port Hamilton) was the international stage where five high-powered nations competed for political hegemony in East Asia. Now a British soldier cemetery in Geomundo History Park makes us consider the possibility of writing further trans- and inter-imperial histories beyond the silence.

A RECENTLY DISCOVERED LETTER FROM CAPTAIN ARTHUR CONOLLY

ABSTRACT This article publishes a recently discovered letter apparently written by the 19th-century British intelligence officer Arthur Conolly. Conolly is best known as the author of the term 'The Great Game' in connection with Anglo-Russian rivalry in Central Asia during the mid-19th century. The letter was written in April 1841 while Conolly stopped on the bank of the Amu Darya River, the northern boundary of Afghanistan en route to Bukhara. He was travelling partly in an attempt to rescue a fellow British officer, Lieutenant Colonel Charles Stoddart, who was detained there. The mission failed and both men were executed in Bukhara the following year. The letter is addressed to the Austrian general August Giacomo Jochmus, who was the commander of the combined forces of the Ottoman Empire, Britain and Austria during the Syrian War of 1839–1841. The letter was discovered by the authors in the Russian State Archive of Literature and Art in Moscow.

TURKIC SOURCES ABOUT THE PROTECTORATE OF THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE IN KASHGARIA (SECOND HALF OF THE 19TH CENTURY)

The article, based on information from the works of East Turkestan historians, examines the relationship of the Ottoman Empire with the state of Yakup Beg, which arose in Kashgaria in the second half of the 19th century. The purpose of the study is to conduct an in-depth study and conduct a source study, textual analysis of information from East Turkistan historians, which contain important and valuable information about the connections of the Ottoman Empire with Kashgaria and its neighbouring regions of Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, etc.). The study is based on conclusions formed during a comparative analysis of information from Turkic written sources with archival materials and data from unique scientific literature. In the course of preparing the article, to determine the completeness and reliability of the information provided, comparative-contrastive, comparative-historical and problem-chronological methods, methods of analysis, collection, and synthesis of information were also used. This technique was used to compare essential documents on the records management of the Ottoman and Russian Empires of the period under study, stored in the archives and funds of various countries, with information from local East Turkestan historians. It should be noted that relations between the two states developed in the context of the “Great Game” policy of the great powers towards Central Asia. The works of local East Turkestan historians provide extensive information on events related to the relationship between the Zhetyshar state (the state of Yakup-bek) and the Ottoman Sultanate. The authors describe these events with tremendous verve and enthusiasm. The unity of the Turkic-speaking peoples, who for centuries nourished each other with great faith and hope, is reflected in the works of historians.

Risks on the Belt and Road in Eurasia: Local Perspectives and Options

ABSTRACT A binary, geopolitical narrative of a new “Great Game” for power in Central Asia may be too simplistic. It remains unclear what regionalisation trends will become embedded in Central Asia, with the apparent rise of China. The paper examines potential for China's Belt and Road Initiative to build new Eurasian economic interdependence through connectivity infrastructure and to reduce dependency for some actors on Russia. A political risk and grounded theory approach is taken, utilising in-depth interviews with local experts and stakeholders to develop a risk/opportunity framework. Conclusions from the research indicate China is unlikely in the foreseeable future to replace Russia as regional hegemon, but is likely to drive greater economic integration. Empirical investigation of dynamics on the ground - including the spectrum of options available to actors - is recommended for realist understanding of economic and other international connectivity trends across Central Asia.

Khosrow I’s Foreign Policy and 6th century Yemen

In examining Khosrow I's expedition to Yemen, this paper looks at one of the pivotal fronts in the Great Game of Late Antiquity, the "cold war" between the Byzantine and Sassanian empires, the two superpowers of their age. It analyzes the King of King's decision to launch the mission from a mainly economic angle. It looks at southern Arabia's own intrinsic value, the geopolitical significance of Yemen in relation to the maratime Silk Road, and the rise of Mecca, a new commercial hub in neighbouring Hejaz. By doing this, the author hopes to exhibit the central importance which southern Arabia played in the geopolitics and commerce of Late Antiquity.

The Predicament of Security: Tracing Two Years of Taliban Rule

The paper is an overall assessment of the security situation in Afghanistan that includes both traditional and non-traditional aspects. The paper highlights the deteriorating internal security that is bolstering Pashtunisation in Afghanistan and causing the forced displacement of non-Pashtuns. The implication of this grim development in India’s neighbourhood has severely impacted the peace and security of the Central Asian Region, Russia, China, Iran, India and Pakistan. The victory of the Taliban has resuscitated myriad terrorist groups who want to establish Islamic Caliphate in neighbouring countries, therefore leading to the gradual Talibanisation of the Asian region. The paper also delves into how the departure of foreign forces has created a power vacuum in Afghanistan that has led to the revival of a New Great Game with the addition of regional actors.

The "Great Game" of World Powers and the social base of antagonisms

The article substantiates the separation of the concepts of the unity of purpose of the strategy (including the strategy of responsibility of the "circular review") and the variability of the main and main enemy. The authors believe that the main opponent of the West at the moment is Russia, and the main opponent for a long strategic period is China. The inconsistency of the West's simultaneous opposition to these antagonists is argued. The authors analyze the reasons for the variability of the "Big Game" of the world powers. The "globalist" layers are identified and systematized. The groups of antagonists within Russia itself are also highlighted. The variants of conflicts that can provoke these groups and the possibilities of their union and political advancement are considered. The main types of Westernism are also revealed.

The dynamics of academic interest in the Great Game in foreign historical science in the second half of the XX — early XXI centuries.

The dynamics of academic interest in the Great Game in foreign historical science in the second half of the XX — early XXI centuries.

The Other Great Game: The Opening of Korea and the Birth of Modern East Asia, written by Sheila Miyoshi Jager

The Other Great Game: The Opening of Korea and the Birth of Modern East Asia, written by Sheila Miyoshi Jager

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

A British Colonizer in Pages of ‘Le Petit Journal’ Newspaper

The article is dedicated to the study of the image of the “Other” colonizer, the British, who were rivals of France in the colonial race. The methodology proposed by Edward Said is used. For the first time in the history of the study of colonial empires, research is based on the construction and analysis of the image of the rival in colonial expansion, based on materials from the French press. One of the most popular newspapers of the Third Republic of the late 19th century, “Le Petit Journal”, served as material for the study. Notes devoted to British presence in India, the Anglo-Egyptian War of 1882, the Fashoda Crisis, the Anglo-Boer Wars, the “Great Game”, influence in China, and others are considered. The concepts that formed the image of the “Other” colonizer for France are analyzed. The article describes the notions of “exploitation” and “cruelty of colonization”, the image of the “noble savage”, opposition “civilization — barbarism”, subjectivity, as well as personal qualities of the “Other” colonizer, such as British rejection of human rights and private property, which formed the construct of the “Other” colonizer. In conclusion, it is concluded that creating this image of the “Other” colonizer contributed to promoting France’s own ideas of colonization.

Understanding the essence of the “Great game” by representatives of Anglo-Saxon geopolitical schools

Understanding the essence of the “Great game” by representatives of Anglo-Saxon geopolitical schools

Pawns of Empire: Unraveling the Role of Dashnaktsutyun in British Geopolitical Strategy (1890-1922)

This paper examines the instrumental role of Dashnaktsutyun, also known as the Armenian Revolutionary Federation, in the geopolitical strategies of the British Empire during the early 20th century. Initially emerging as a nationalist movement within the Ottoman Empire, Dashnaktsutyun was co-opted by external powers, particularly Britain, to serve broader imperial interests in the Eurasian region. The study delves into the organization’s activities in the Ottoman, Russian, and Iranian territories, highlighting how its operations, under the guise of Armenian nationalism, were significantly influenced by British geopolitical objectives. The paper also explores the complex interplay between nationalist movements and international power politics, particularly in the context of the Great Game between the British and Russian Empires. A critical analysis of Dashnaktsutyun’s role during key historical events, such as the Soviet invasion of Armenia in 1920, reveals a prioritization of foreign directives over national resistance, impacting the trajectory of Armenian history and reflecting the broader dynamics of early 20th-century imperialism. This study serves as a cautionary tale of how nationalist movements can be redirected by external influences, often at the expense of their foundational principles and the welfare of their people. Keywords: Dashnaktsutyun, Armenian Revolutionary Federation, British Geopolitical Strategy, Armenian Nationalism, Imperialism, Soviet Invasion of Armenia, Great Game, Pan-Islamism, Pan-Turanism