Russian Policy toward Central Asia and the Transcaucasus

The basic objectives of Russian policy toward Central Asia and the Transcaucasus were established very early after the demise of the Soviet Union and have remained essentially constant. Russia’s ability to achieve these goals, however, has evolved, thus eliciting changes in its regional strategy. The Islamic factor, especially the fear of Islamic extremism and its destabilizing potential, has played a key role in shaping Russian policies toward these regions, particularly Central Asia.