Central Asia

Examining the region’s domestic developments and foreign policy hedging between Russia, China, and the West.

Many believed that Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine would give the five Central Asian states the chance to break free from Russia’s overweening influence. In fact, Moscow’s economic clout in the region has increased, partly as it has reversed gas export flows from west to east, but also because the region has been transformed into a channel for sanctions evasion. Some states do intermittently resist Moscow’s pressure for greater integration: Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have declined full membership in BRICS.  

All of the key external powers are interested in the region’s natural resources, but it is China that leads in developing regional infrastructure projects. 


The Russia and Eurasia Programme has experts with decades of experience in the region, working across the private sector, civil society and international organizations. The programme also provides country briefings for industry, government, and international organizations.