Central Asia grew in importance after the fall of the Soviet Union. Islamist insurgents are challenging the weak authoritarian governments in the region.
The United States, China and Russia share a common interest in defeating Islamic militants and developing the regional economy. However, they are unable to agree on the best strategy to do so resulting in wary short-term cooperation and economic developments over access to natural resources deepen rivalries.
Currently, three great powers are engaging in a game of wary cooperation. The Central Asian states Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Afghanistan, understand this situation, and often take advantage of the competition by playing off the three Great Powers. Terrorism is the immediate raison d’etat for interventions, but all parties know that the great parties are seeking footholds in the region for later use. In addition the triangular competition by the great powers prevents any single nation from dominating. This makes this the Modern Great Game.
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