The Russia-Ukraine War and Its Implications on Central Asia - (Contemporary Central Asia: Societies, Politics, and Cultures) (Hardcover)

About the Book

Exploring the profound impacts of the Russia-Ukraine war, this book delves into Central Asia's geopolitical shifts, societal transformations, and media dynamics, revealing a region navigating between change and tradition, resilience, and identity, on its path to a more significant global role.

Book Synopsis

The Russia-Ukraine War and its Implications for Central Asia: Resilience, Connectivity, and Decolonization embarks on a comprehensive exploration of the profound impacts of the Ukraine conflict on Central Asia, viewed through the prism of the region's scholars. This book assesses the geopolitical transformation, economic shifts, and the evolving narratives of national and regional identities, underpinned by thirty years of nation-building and current socio-economic realities. This collection critically navigates between the dual forces of emerging expectations for change, decolonization, and the strong undercurrents of path dependence and local socio-economic constraints. Furthermore, it provides a nuanced examination of the intricate relationships between state, society, and media, illustrating how these dynamics are reshaped in the face of the war's ongoing impact. Through a balanced perspective, this volume unveils an emerging vision of Central Asia, marked by resilience and a strategic quest for a more pronounced role in global affairs. This work stands as a crucial resource for understanding the multifaceted consequences of the Ukraine-Russia conflict on Central Asia, enriched by authentic, regional voices.

Review Quotes

""Anyone seeking a better understanding of the wider impact of the Russia-Ukraine War should read this excellent volume. Using the novel 'Global International Relations' (Global IR) perspective, it highlights the impact of the war on Central Asia's historical, political, cultural and strategic framework and more importantly, its resilience to the shocks of war."" --Amitav Acharya, American University

""The first book on how Central Asian countries reacted to the Russian-Ukrainian War and which gives the floor to Central Asian voices to formulate their perceptions of the conflict and its implications for the region. A must read for all those interested in Central Asia and the whole Eurasia region's transformation."" --Marlene Laruelle, George Washington University

""This timely volume represents a pioneering attempt to express voices of local Central Asian scholars on the impact of Russia's war against Ukraine on their own region. The Central Asian countries, especially Kazakhstan, which has a long border with Russia, are experiencing survival anxiety. However, the war has also become an opportunity for them to attract the attention of great powers, enhance their importance as hubs of Eurasian connectivity, and reinvigorate their nation-building process. The authors offer valuable and diverse insights into the challenges of decolonization, the multifaceted and ambiguous influence of Russia, China, and the West on Central Asia, and the striking differences in the perception and effects of the war among the countries of the region. This book will interest anyone who wants to learn more about the dynamic political and economic changes in Eurasia and the survival strategies of small states in the face of great power rivalry."" --Tomohiko Uyama, Hokkaido University

""This book is an enlightening exploration of how the war in Ukraine is playing a catalytic role in the continuous re-shaping of Central Asia. For those interested in this region, it constitutes an essential and, importantly, nuanced read to better understand the resilience and actorness of the region. In addition, it substantially contributes to the ongoing efforts to 'globalize' IR and regionalism studies"." --Philippe De Lombaerde, United Nations University

"This book is a valuable contribution to the field of Central Asian studies, giving much-needed emphasis on perspectives and voices from the region itself. It provides an enriching multidimensional study of the implications of the Ukraine-Russia war on Central Asia and Central Asians, and highlights the resilience and adaptability of this increasingly important, distinct and autonomous region in global affairs." --Paradorn Rangsimaporn, Thai Diplomat and Independent Researcher

""The Ukraine-Russia war will definitely have far-reaching implications for the entire 1/6th of Earth that comprises former Soviet space, including Central Asia where the ongoing overall geopolitical transformation is entering the new and more sophisticated phase in the context of this war. The young scholars from this region discuss these would-be implications from the perspectives of resilience, connectivity and decolonization of these countries. This collection of papers will definitely contribute significantly to the broad Central Asian Studies branch of IR which is currently rapidly developing by tackling multiple academic and political challenges."" --Farkhod Tolipov, American Webster University

"Anyone seeking a better understanding of the wider impact of the Russia-Ukraine War should read this excellent volume. Using the novel 'Global International Relations' (Global IR) perspective, it highlights the impact of the war on Central Asia's historical, political, cultural and strategic framework and more importantly, its resilience to the shocks of war."

"The first book on how Central Asian countries reacted to the Russian-Ukrainian War and which gives the floor to Central Asian voices to formulate their perceptions of the conflict and its implications for the region. A must read for all those interested in Central Asia and the whole Eurasia region's transformation."

"The Ukraine-Russia war will definitely have far-reaching implications for the entire 1/6th of Earth that comprises former Soviet space, including Central Asia where the ongoing overall geopolitical transformation is entering the new and more sophisticated phase in the context of this war. The young scholars from this region discuss these would-be implications from the perspectives of resilience, connectivity and decolonization of these countries. This collection of papers will definitely contribute significantly to the broad Central Asian Studies branch of IR which is currently rapidly developing by tackling multiple academic and political challenges."

"This book is a valuable contribution to the field of Central Asian studies, giving much-needed emphasis on perspectives and voices from the region itself. It provides an enriching multidimensional study of the implications of the Ukraine-Russia war on Central Asia and Central Asians, and highlights the resilience and adaptability of this increasingly important, distinct and autonomous region in global affairs."

"This book is an enlightening exploration of how the war in Ukraine is playing a catalytic role in the continuous re-shaping of Central Asia. For those interested in this region, it constitutes an essential and, importantly, nuanced read to better understand the resilience and actorness of the region. In addition, it substantially contributes to the ongoing efforts to 'globalize' IR and regionalism studies".

"This timely volume represents a pioneering attempt to express voices of local Central Asian scholars on the impact of Russia's war against Ukraine on their own region. The Central Asian countries, especially Kazakhstan, which has a long border with Russia, are experiencing survival anxiety. However, the war has also become an opportunity for them to attract the attention of great powers, enhance their importance as hubs of Eurasian connectivity, and reinvigorate their nation-building process. The authors offer valuable and diverse insights into the challenges of decolonization, the multifaceted and ambiguous influence of Russia, China, and the West on Central Asia, and the striking differences in the perception and effects of the war among the countries of the region. This book will interest anyone who wants to learn more about the dynamic political and economic changes in Eurasia and the survival strategies of small states in the face of great power rivalry."

About the Author

Assylzat Karabayeva is assistant professor at KIMEP University.

Ikboljon Qoraboyev is professor of international relations at the International School of Economics of Maqsut Narikbayev University, and associate research fellow at UNU-CRIS.