Choice Reviews Online · 2002 · 96 citations · 0 references
Social SciencesArea StudiesInternational RelationsInternational SecuritySecurity GovernanceSecurity StudiesCentral Asian StudiesHomeland SecurityNational SecurityRegional Security ArrangementsSecurity OrganizationsTransnational Security GovernanceCentral Asia PolicyCentral Asian GeopoliticsGlobal Security GovernanceInternational Security InstitutionsInternational Security Regimes
Central Asia is undergoing a strategic reconfiguration as Russia disengages and the region forges new ties, with abundant Caspian energy resources and internal ethnic, resource, and religious tensions that could spark cooperation or rivalry. The study seeks to identify emerging patterns that will shape future security cooperation in Central Asia, while noting uncertainty about the emergence of a new regional security system or institutions. A team of specialists from Europe, the US, Russia, and China analyzes internal security challenges—ethnic diversity, resource scarcity, Islamic revival—and the security policy dynamics between Central Asian states and major powers such as Russia, China, Iran, Turkey, and the United States.
This volume is the first comprehensive scholarly analysis of the strategic reconfiguration of Central Asia as Russia has become more disengaged from the nations in the region and as these nations have developed new relations to the south, east, and west. The international implications are enormous because of the rich energy sources --oil and natural gas --located in the Caspian Sea area. The authors assess a variety of internal security policy challenges confronting these states --for example, the potential for conflict arising from such factors as a mixed ethnic population, resource scarcity, particularly in relation to water management, and an Islamic revival. They also examine the security policy content of relations between the Central Asian states and regional and international powers --specifically the stakes, interests, and policies of Russia, China, Iran, Turkey, and the United States. These internal challenges and the evolution of relations with external powers may result in new cooperative relationships, but they may also lead to destabilizing rivalry and interstate enmity in Central Asia. It is important to identify new patterns of relevance for future security cooperation in the region, but the potential for a new security system or for new institutions to manage security in the region remains uncertain. These issues are explored by a team of prominent specialists from Western Europe, the United States, Russia and China.