Regional Cooperation in Central Asia: Improving the Western Track Record

{
  "authors": [
    "Martha Brill Olcott"
  ],
  "type": "legacyinthemedia",
  "centerAffiliationAll": "dc",
  "centers": [
    "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace"
  ],
  "collections": [],
  "englishNewsletterAll": "ctw",
  "nonEnglishNewsletterAll": "",
  "primaryCenter": "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace",
  "programAffiliation": "russia",
  "programs": [
    "Russia and Eurasia"
  ],
  "projects": [],
  "regions": [
    "North America",
    "United States",
    "Central Asia",
    "Western Europe"
  ],
  "topics": [
    "Economy",
    "Foreign Policy"
  ]
}

In The Media

Regional Cooperation in Central Asia: Improving the Western Track Record

As the twentieth anniversary of the independence of the Central Asia states approaches, the international community's track record in Central Asia is mixed at best. The adoption of new strategies offers Western institutions a chance to achieve some measurable successes in the region.

By Martha Brill Olcott

Published on Aug 25, 2009

Source: International Issues & Slovak Foreign Policy Affairs 18

Regional Cooperation in Central Asia: Improving th As the twentieth anniversary of the independence of states of Central Asia approaches, it is appropriate to review what the international community has learned about the efficacy of regional cooperation in responding to the challenges that the Central Asian region has faced. The article attempts to answer the question why the international community; particularly western defined or dominated institutions, have only been partially successful in working with the countries of the region to work towards the amelioration of these issues, and regional cooperation, cooperation between the five Central Asian states, has been disappointing.

About the Author

Martha Brill Olcott

Former Senior Associate, Russia and Eurasia Program and, Co-director, al-Farabi Carnegie Program on Central Asia

Olcott is professor emerita at Colgate University, having taught political science there from 1974 to 2002. Prior to her work at the endowment, Olcott served as a special consultant to former secretary of state Lawrence Eagleburger.

Recent Work

In The Media
After Crimea: Will Kazakhstan be Next in Putin’s Reintegration Project?
- Martha Brill Olcott
Article
China’s Unmatched Influence in Central Asia
- Martha Brill Olcott

Economy Foreign Policy North America United States Central Asia Western Europe

Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

More Work from Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center

Commentary
Carnegie Politika
Could Migrants From India and Africa Solve Russia’s Labor Shortage?
The demands of the Kremlin’s war in Ukraine, demographic problems, and public hostility toward Central Asians mean Russia does not have enough workers.
Salavat Abylkalikov
Commentary
Carnegie Politika
Russian Market Sours for Belarusian State Companies
Minsk’s faith in the future of its larger neighbor’s economy is fading as Belarusian firms in Russia see record losses.
Olga Loiko
Commentary
Carnegie Politika
Did Putin Return From China Empty-Handed?
With no key agreement signed on the Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline, there is a risk that the window of opportunity for Russia will close if Chinese power generation becomes so green that new gas sources are no longer of any interest to Beijing.
Alexander Gabuev
Commentary
Carnegie Politika
What Does Central Europe’s Post-Orban Russia Policy Look Like?
Though Orban is gone, Putin can still count on some like-minded individuals in Central and Eastern Europe. However, they will seek to avoid open confrontation with EU institutions over Ukraine and their ties with Moscow.

Dimitar Bechev
Commentary
Carnegie Politika
Are Russia-Japan Relations Really Warming Up?
The truth is that Japan’s government is seeking a degree of reengagement but at a vastly reduced level than under Abe. Most significantly, Japan has shown no willingness to ease sanctions.
James D.J. Brown

More Work from Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center

Commentary

Carnegie Politika

Could Migrants From India and Africa Solve Russia’s Labor Shortage?

The demands of the Kremlin’s war in Ukraine, demographic problems, and public hostility toward Central Asians mean Russia does not have enough workers.

Salavat Abylkalikov

Commentary

Carnegie Politika

Russian Market Sours for Belarusian State Companies

Minsk’s faith in the future of its larger neighbor’s economy is fading as Belarusian firms in Russia see record losses.

Olga Loiko

Commentary

Carnegie Politika

Did Putin Return From China Empty-Handed?

With no key agreement signed on the Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline, there is a risk that the window of opportunity for Russia will close if Chinese power generation becomes so green that new gas sources are no longer of any interest to Beijing.

Alexander Gabuev

Commentary

Carnegie Politika

What Does Central Europe’s Post-Orban Russia Policy Look Like?

Though Orban is gone, Putin can still count on some like-minded individuals in Central and Eastern Europe. However, they will seek to avoid open confrontation with EU institutions over Ukraine and their ties with Moscow.

Dimitar Bechev

Commentary

Carnegie Politika

Are Russia-Japan Relations Really Warming Up?

The truth is that Japan’s government is seeking a degree of reengagement but at a vastly reduced level than under Abe. Most significantly, Japan has shown no willingness to ease sanctions.

James D.J. Brown