Once dusty outposts of the Soviet Union, the five states of Central Asia are under reconstruction. New roads, railways and pipelines are reconnecting the region to the outside world.
Along with investments in infrastructure, external powers are bringing their own visions of state-building and regional order: China is promoting its New Silk Road initiative, also known as One Belt, One Road; Russia advances a Moscow-centric ‘Greater Eurasia’; while Western states push for open markets and political reform.
