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Description

Since the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) called upon the United States to commit to withdraw its military personnel from Central Asia at its July 2005 summit, the SCO has acquired the reputation as a significant obstacle to U.S. policy. However, this reputation obscures the real state of affairs. Notwithstanding press reports about the challenge posed by the SCO to U.S. policy in Central Asia, a close look at the organization, the behavior of its members, their motivations, and the practical impact of their declarations suggests that the SCO’s challenge to U.S. interests and policies in Central Asia is less than meets the eye.

Document Type

Policy Brief

Region(s)

Asia, Central Asia, Eurasia

Topic(s)

Strategic Competition, Chinese Military, National Security

Publication Date

11-2006

Publication

Strategic Forum

Publisher

National Defense University Press

City

Washington, DC

Keywords

China-Russia power balance Central Asia, Influence competition in Central Asia, Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), Sino-Russian strategic cooperation, Moscow an Beijing Central Asia policy, Central Asia great power rivalry, U.S. interests in Central Asia, Eurasian security dynamics, Regional security and power relations, China and Russia foreign policy

China, Russia and the Balance of Power in Central Asia

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