No. 169: Pivot to Asia

Author(s): Artyom Lukin, Gilbert Rozman, Alica Kizekova
Editor(s): Stephen Aris, Matthias Neumann, Robert Orttung, Jeronim Perovic, Heiko Pleines, Hans-Henning Schröder, Aglaya Snetkov
Series: Russian Analytical Digest (RAD)
Issue: 169
Publisher(s): Center for Security Studies (CSS), ETH Zurich; Research Centre for East European Studies, University of Bremen; Institute for European, Russian and Eurasian Studies, George Washington University
Publication Year: 2015

This edition considers Russia's 'pivot' to Asia. Firstly, Artyom Lukin outlines how Moscow is expanding its relations with North Korea, Mongolia, Vietnam, and Pakistan, as well as deepening its partnership with China, noting that a question remains: will Russia's growing economic dependence on China eventually translate into a junior status in the politico-strategic realm. Secondly, Gilbert Rozman details how Russia's Eurasian Economic Union and China's Silk Road Economic Belt intersect in Central Asia, arguing that while Russian and Chinese national interests do not coincide in this respect, currently there is more overlap in their national identities around counteracting the West. Thirdly, Alica Kizekova focuses on the efforts to develop joint economic projects and coordinated operations against transnational crime between Russia and certain Southeast Asian countries, suggesting that the extent of these relations will depend on greater funding and future developments in their respective core regions.

Download:

English (PDF)

RAD subscription service