Abstract

TZILI-APANGO, Eduardo  and  PALACIOS-CABRERA, Eduardo. Reactive Multilateralism in Central Asia Versus China and Russia. Foro int [online]. 2018, vol.58, n.3, pp.459-492. ISSN 0185-013X.  https://doi.org/10.24201/fi.58i3.2463.

It is well known that Central Asia is one of the zones in which geopolitics acquires great importance in current international relations either because of its strategic natural resources or because it is the route that connects East Asia with West Asia and Europe. In spite of this, Central Asia has been tagged as one of the most conflictive zones given the convergence and the correlation of regional and extra-regional forces. In this line of thinking, it is argued that power imbalances caused by extra-regional powers and non-state actors have driven an institutionalization and multilateralization process executed by the regional actors since the nineties. This reactive multilateralism is an answer to extra-regional and inter-regional aftermath actions in Central Asia. Nevertheless, it also promotes the consolidation of the regional powers’ interests in the area, especially due to secure the supply of energy resources and to consolidate trade routes. In this process, China and Russia have played an important role, although without being able to establish a regional hegemony both because of the divergence in politics and interests between them and because of the presence of other actors with significant regional influence.

Keywords : Central Asia; China; Russia; Multilateralism; Silk Route.