Russia's Involvement in Central Asia

The region of Central Asia constitutes of Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan countries. Many of these countries in the Central Asia region were part of the Soviet Union. However, after the collapse of the Union of the Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), Russia has continued to provide military support to these Central Asian countries so as to advance their stability for economic prosperity.

The main theme coming out the Central Asia region is the issue of “expanding influence.” Russia has been showing increased commitment to improving their investment on issues related to security in the Central Asian region has an approach of spreading its political influence. Owing to the fact that the Central Asian countries border Russia to the south, Russia has interested in regaining control over the region. Russia is focused on increasing its political territory and exercise dominant power that influence decision-making processes to establish policies that favor it. The intention of Russia to increase its involvement in establishing a good relationship with the Central Asian countries and strengthen the military services in the region. However, this involvement is not only seeking to improve the security situation in Central but also to protect the interests of Russia in terms expanding political influence Jackson (112-113).

The topic of “Russia involvement in bolstering the military situation in Central Asia” is important because it reduces the growing threat of terrorist and extremist groups. There is increased prevalence of Islamic Extremism in Central Asia, which to a huge extent consequently serves to promote terrorism. Therefore, the bolstering of military services in the Central Asian is a measure of trying to limit the spread and effects of terrorist activities (Abdurasulov 02). Any attack in the Central Asian region threatens the security situation in Russia because of the possibility to penetrate the Russian border territory.

Works Cited

Abdurasulov, Adbdujalil. “CIS Summit: Russia to bolster Central Asia Military.” BBC World Service, 2018, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-34538051.

Jackson, Nicole J. "The role of external factors in advancing non-liberal democratic forms of political rule: a case study of Russia's influence on Central Asian regimes."Contemporary Politics 16.1 (2010): 101-118.