US and China Competition for Influence in Central Asia - A Comparative Analysis

Abstract

Central Asia has become the forefront of US and Chinese foreign policy since its independence in 1991. The US foreign policy toward Central Asia focuses on security, economics and energy and has not changed since its development in the mid 1990's. China's foreign/regional policy toward Central Asia has developed over the past decade focusing on security of its western border to energy development and economic investment. Both countries strive for a strategic advantage in the region in order to obtain energy resources. The purpose of this monograph is to examine US and China policies toward Central Asia and provide a comparative analysis of these policies using the national instruments of power. This monograph will show that China has surpassed US influence in the region with the development and implementation of its 'grand strategy' that encompasses bilateral and multilateral relations. In order to close this apparentstrategic gap on China, the US should consider a review of it policy priorities and maximize existing relations within multilateral organization such as NATO and regional powers within Central Asia.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 01, 2007
Accession Number
ADA470863

Entities

People

  • Charlie L. Pelham

Organizations

  • United States Army Command and General Staff College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Counter WMD
  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Central Asia
  • Civil Rights
  • Commerce
  • Department Of State
  • Environmental Protection
  • Ethnic Groups
  • Foreign Policy
  • Foreign Relations
  • Governments
  • Intergovernmental Organizations
  • International Organizations
  • Investments
  • National Politics
  • National Security
  • Terrorism
  • Terrorists
  • War Colleges

Fields of Study

  • Political science

Readers

  • East Asian Political and Security Studies within the Soviet Union