ABSTRACT
Eurasia, herein defined as Northeast and Central Asia, has been ravaged by historical and current conflicts of both a military and a political nature, such as Japan or Russia’s occupation of their neighbours, border disputes, etc. This has created an environment where there is a chronic lack of trust among the regional actors and relations are often seen as a zero-sum game, or in relative gains. From an international perspective, it is symptomatic that there is very little cooperation in the military and political fields. For instance, Northeast Asia has no institutionalized regional organization that deals with political and military conflicts whereas transregional organizations that include cooperation between Northeast Asian and Central Asian states are limited to only exercises against terrorism.1 There have been several organizations initiated in Central Asia working on cooperation but their viability is limited. This is due to limited political support from the respective Central Asia governments and also because of the intraregional rivalry between the five Central Asian states.2 Thus, these organizations remain relatively weak and their future prospects uncertain. In order to have conflict management and resolution frameworks in place, and to establish greater trust between the different actors, these organizations would need to integrate deeper into the region, politically and economically. Since the end of the Cold War, Central Asia has emerged as a newly
defined, separate geopolitical space. Its abundant raw materials, particularly oil and gas, and its unique geographic location give the region its importance. Nevertheless, the region was until recently as much geographically as strategically distant and indifferent to the United States and Europe. The events of 9/11 have catapulted the region into the world’s spotlight and it has grown in strategic importance. Since then, the United States has been activated as a major geopolitical
player in Central Asia, in addition to Russia and China. Europe is deeply concerned and involved in the region and has the potential to become a fourth power. Turkey and Iran, having particular interests and influence thanks to historical vantages, should be seen as lesser powers in the region. As can India and Japan, who are quietly penetrating Central Asia in the economic sphere.
