Abstract
Central Asia, the hub of natural resources, has been the
battleground of international power politics among the big
powers since long. In order to have influence in the region, the
Russian and the British Empires indulge in the “Great Game”.
However, it ended with the collapse of the Russian empire. The
collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 created an unexpected
power vacuum in Central Asia followed by a fierce competition
between the big three, Russia, China and US. This competition is
commonly known as “The New Great Game” in the present day
international politics. The rich energy resources are usually
considered the main reason of the renewed interests in the
region and provide principal motivation for Russia, China and
US. However, the role of energy resources is usually overstated.
This paper will identify which other factors along with energy
resources should be considered in order to have a broader and
comprehensive understanding of the present Geo-political
scenario in the Central Asia. Using the Neo-Realist approach,
this paper will first analyze the significance of the Central Asian
states, how they provoke strategic competition between great
powers and how pipeline politics translate it. Finally, the paper
will analyses the competing interests of Russia, China and US
and the strategies adopted by each for the achievements of its
objectives. It will be concluded by stating that how Russia,
China and US struggle to attain, keep and enhance power and
that energy resources are just a mean to this supreme objective.
It will also conclude by asserting that although the great powers
behave aggressively and self-interestedly they may find a
minimum degree of cooperation to tackle common concerns such
as a growing radical Islamism.
Musharaf Iqbal , Manzoor Khan Afridi. (2017) New Great Game in Central Asia: Conflicts, Interests and Strategies of Russia, China and United States, The Dialogue, Volume 12, Issue 3.
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