After the fall of the Soviet empire, the Central Asian Republics, i.e. Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Krygyzstan, Kazakshtan and Tajikistan were born in 1991. Ever since its formation, the USA, apparently the winner of the Cold War, had its eye set on the region.
The British always wanted a presence in the region whereas the Russian empire has traditionally seen the region as strategic to fend off future security challenges. This is what led to “The Great Game” between the Russian & the British empires.
The enormous wealth of the region in terms of critical minerals and energy resources, had made the region a natural sphere of influence for Moscow & Beijing. Washington wanted its presence in the region to control the heart of Asia.
It started with investments in energy exploration and infrastructure. Post 9/11 and the US invasion of Afghanistan, the region became all the more important for the West to prevent the spread of extremism in the region.
USA tried to integrate the countries of the region with the countries of South Asia, primarily because the region’s northern, eastern and western neigbours were Washington’s geopolitical adversaries, namely Russia, China and Iran respectively.
The idea of TAPI pipeline (Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India) was America’s plan to stabilise the region by connecting it as an energy grid. Afghanistan & Pakistan were supposed to get the transit fees as well as cheap energy while Turkmenistan was to get energy consuming markets. India was to get cheap Turkmen gas as well as stability in its periphery.
The idea failed to conceptualise due to the lawlessness and militancy across the Af-Pak border. America’s failure over 20 years in Afghanistan left the region with more uncertainties with the widespread extremism and presence of Islamic State. China and Russia had anticipated security issues emanating out of the region. The two joined hands to form the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).
All in all, the region is a hotbed. Geographically, placed at the heart of Asia with converging spheres of influences for traditional powers like Russia & China. Resourcefully, the region is witnessing the “New Great Game” between USA, Russia and China.
