Bibliographical Information
Summary
More than ten years after the breakup of the Soviet Union, none of the major powers,
including Russia, has developed a cohesive geopolitical strategy for dealing with
the countries and regions that once made up the USSR. Even after September 11 and
the sudden importance of Central Asia in the struggle against global terrorism,
the United States continues to deal with the region in fragmented and incomplete
ways. Thinking Strategically, the first volume in a series focusing on security
challenges posed by the former Soviet Union, addresses the economic, political,
and security interests at stake in Kazakhstan for Russia, the United States, China,
Europe, and Japan.
Kazakhstan presents an interesting case study both because of its role as a pivot
point between Russia and the world beyond and because of its position in Central
Asia. The contributors to this book call it variously a buffer, a meeting place,
a bridge, a gateway, and a strategic arena. Because of its internal problems—which
include great economic uncertainty despite vast oil wealth, a disintegrating infrastructure,
and the potential for internal instability—and its geopolitical position, Kazakhstan
and the region of Central Asia present a complex set of opportunities and dangers
for the major powers.
The authors, who come from Russia, the United States, China, the United Kingdom,
Japan, and Kazakhstan, address the security challenges posed by Kazakhstan and Central
Asia from the point of view of their respective countries or regions.
This volume is edited by Robert Legvold, professor of political science at Columbia
University. Funding for Thinking Strategically and other volumes in this
series was provided by a generous grant from the Carnegie Corporation of New York.
Endorsements
“This is an important and original book on one of the least-studied regions of the
world. By placing Kazakhstan in the center of ‘Inner Asia’ and then examining Great
Power perspectives, it forces the reaser to think about the area in new and rather
unconventional ways.” -Coit Blacker, Senior Fellow and Deputy Director, Institute
for International Studies, Stanford University
“Central Asia in general and Kazakhstan in particular is an area of the world in
which the United States has very recently and precipitously become more deeply involved.
Our policy in Central Asia has no benefited from much debate or contribution from
experts outside of the government. This volume provides necessary thinking on the
topic and is likely to generate important discussion of U.S. policy.” -Marshall
Shulman, Adlai E. Stevenson Professor of International Relations Emeritus, and Founding
Director of the Harriman Institute, Columbia University.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Great Power Stakes in Central Asia (download pdf)
Robert Legvold
Chapter 1
Russian Policy Toward Kazakhstan
Vitaly Naumkin
Chapter 2
U.S. Policy Toward Kazakhstan
Robert Legvold
Chapter 3
China's Foreign Policy Toward Kazakhstan
Xing Guangcheng
Chapter 4
European Strategy Toward Kazakhstan
Neil MacFarlane
Chapter 5
Japanese Policies in Relation to Kazakhstan: Is There a "Strategy"? (
download pdf
Uyama Tomohiko
Chapter 6
Great Power Policies and Interests in Kazakhstan
Bulat Sultanov and Leila Muzaparova
Conclusion
The Strategic Challenge of Kazakhstan and Inner Asia (download pdf)
Sherman Garnett
Index (download pdf)
Other Titles
The American Academy Studies in Global Security book series is edited by Carl Kaysen
(MIT), Martin Malin (American Academy), and John Steinbruner (University of Maryland),
and published by The MIT Press. This volume is one of five that consider international
security in the post-Soviet region. More information is available on
the Global Security Series and
the Academy's Program in Science,
Technology, and Global Security.
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