Central Asia: Region’s Potential and New Challenges

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Abstract

Traditionally, Central Asia is associated with a favorable geographical location and significant natural resources. These factors are of interests for the West, Russia, and China in the region. Meanwhile, the potential of Central Asian countries leaves many questions unanswered, as they face many regional challenges. The aim of the study is to identify the geopolitical and economic potential of the Central Asian countries, as well as to identify the challenges that the states have faced in recent years. A special attention is paid to the water and energy issue, which remains the most pressing problem for the whole region. In the conclusion, the author identified two of them: the persistence of economic difficulties in the development of Central Asian countries, which to a certain extent act as economic competitors, as well as the increased influence of extra- regional actors on the countries of the region.

About the authors

Sergey S. Zhiltsov

The Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia

Author for correspondence.
Email: Serg.serg56@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-4898-2627
SPIN-code: 4297-7880

Doctor of Political Science, professor, head of the Department of Political
Science and Political Philosophy,

Moscow, Russian Federation

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