Artem Dankov

As Eurasia is increasingly defined by an integrated network of ties and partnerships taking shape throughout the continent, it is the humanitarian dimension of this interstate cooperation that is coming into focus. Adil Kaukenov explores the cultural, scientific, and educational aspects of Eurasia’s emerging connectivity, highlighting their key role in forging links across the region.

The concept of “responsible neighbourhood” best describes the emerging structure of Russian-Central Asian relations, Shamil Yenikeyeff writes. Its analytical features are quite specific: security as an indivisible category; natural resources as a common development platform and an integral part of the regional security architecture; and the sovereignty of each participant as a value enhanced by partnership, not replaced by it.

The political and socioeconomic situation in Central Asia is dynamic: today’s economic underdogs can surge ahead tomorrow, seemingly stable regimes can collapse in a matter of days, loyal security officials turn out to be the main conspirators, and various ethnic groups who were dining in the same cafe yesterday are now involved in communal clashes and unrest, Artem Dankov writes. The current development challenges facing the Central Asian countries are rooted in four key contradictions.