The decline of the United States’ influence in Eurasia and Russia’s aggression against Ukraine have thrust the smaller nations of Central Asia into the global spotlight.

Russia-China competition and an expanded membership have turned the Eurasian security grouping into little more than a talking shop.

China’s growing attention to Central Asia is perceived as a harbinger of tectonic shifts in regional geopolitics.

Beijing’s refusal to take part does not mean it wants to keep its distance from the Ukraine war. Instead, it will look for allies in the Global South.

The serious snag in relations between Moscow and Dushanbe is further prompting other Central Asian governments to rethink their approach to Russia and their own security.

The suspected shooters in the Crocus City attack were Tajiks, which has caused a backlash against labor migrants in Russia. Relations between Tajikistan and Russia, however, are unlikely to be impacted.

Russia has its Eurasian Economic Union, and China has its Belt and Road Initiative. For both projects, Central Asia is important.

Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, there is growing belief that Beijing is on the verge of supplanting Moscow as the dominant power in Central Asia.

In order to explore the complexities of our rapidly changing world, the Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center will examine pressing global issues through four engaging panel discussions in a one-day event, under the collective title, “The World in Focus: Uncertainty and the Global Outlook for 2024.”

How far has Central Asia come in being independent from Russia and what are some of the ties that still bind the region to its former colonizer? Joining host Bruce Pannier to discuss the ebb and flow of Central Asia’s relations with Russia in the last two years are guests Johan Engvall, Navbahor Imamova, and Temur Umarov.