Paper short abstract:

The paper studies the representation of Central Asia in Russian foreign policy discourse from a critical geopolitical perspective. It finds that while Central Asian states are systematically narrated as Russia’s key partners, Moscow’s perception about the region continues to have a “colonial core”.

Paper long abstract:

Russia, considering itself a great power, has for long seen the post-Soviet space as its legitimate sphere of influence. This paper studies the representations of Central Asian states and populations in Russian foreign policy discourse from a critical geopolitical perspective, asking whether the changes within Russia, in Central Asia, and in the international system at large have prompted a shift in Moscow’s perception about the region. Drawing from the analysis of written and spoken texts of prominent Russian foreign policy analysists, the paper finds that while Central Asian states are systematically narrated as Russia’s key partners, Moscow’s perception about the region continues to have a “colonial core”. Moreover, since the realist view of the international order dominates Russian expert discourse, Central Asian countries as seen as weak entities with limited de facto sovereignty, because small states’ independence depends on the goodwill of great powers like China, the United States, and Russia. Given the US withdrawal from Afghanistan and of the prevalence of Sinophobia in Central Asia, there is a consensus within Russian expert community that both Central Asian governments and populations prefer Russia as the dominant actor in the region. Maintaining and strengthening relations with Russia in the spheres of economy and security is narrated as Central Asia’s interest as a means of balancing with the rising of China and the distant “West”. In contrast, anti-Russian sentiment is constructed as a marginal and irrational phenomenon, although some analysts argue that it is rising due to local politicians’ lenience.