ABSTRACT
Professor Henry Kissinger taught us that in foreign affairs the crucial variables are capability and will. We will argue here that although under the presidency of Vladimir Putin Russia had the will to dominate its neighbors and may still be inclined to do so, its capability to achieve such a goal has greatly diminished since Soviet days. While its military power far exceeds that of neighbors, some of them are becoming stronger and more confident regarding their independence. This is especially true of the countries of Central Asia. Moreover, Russia’s influence throughout the Central Eurasian region is being effectively challenged by China and the West.
