The west, Russia and China in Central Asia: What Kind of Game is being played in the region?

Abstract

Over the last decade, international commentary on Central Asia often turned to the imagery of the Great Game. In its classic 19th century version, the Game was primarily a rivalry between the two major colonial powers - the British and Russian empires — for control over Central Eurasia.1 The present-day interpretations of the Great Game tend to expand the number of players — bringing in such regional heavyweights as China, as well as the key outside power, the United States — but retain the Game's main characteristic feature - namely, the big powers jockeying for position in Central Asia2 The latest conceptualization sees the Game as being largely driven by the desire of Russ/a and China to squeeze the United States out of Central Asia and establish their exclusive control over the strategically located and energy-rich region.3