Shanghai Cooperation Organization: paper tiger or regional powerhouse

Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan formed the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in 2001. The inclusion of India, Pakistan, and Iran in 2005 renewed speculation over a new "Great Game" in Central Asia. While this notion is superficially attractive, this thesis delves deeper into what is driving Russian and Chinese interests in Central Asia, and thus, the SCO. The results are contradictory. For Russia, participation in the SCO reflects an identity driven interest. Russia views its membership in the SCO as the means by which it may regain super power status. China's participation in the SCO is driven by its energy concerns as a means to achieve long-term economic security. Though the American presence in Central Asia after September 11, 2001 has complicated both Russia's and China's pursuit of these interests, the SCO should not be viewed as a defensive alliance against the U.S. Instead, the SCO resembles a dysfunctional international regime created in order to avert the threat of revolutionary upheaval in the Central Asian on the one hand and to pursue common interest in. long-term economic growth through increased cooperation and collaboration.

Department dc:contributor.department

National Security Affairs (NSA)

Grantor dc:publisher

Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School

Year dc:date.issued

2005

Author dc:creator

• Turner, Jefferson E.

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Clunan, Anne L.
• Twomey, Christopher P.

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/10945/10051

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:calhoun.nps.edu:10945/10051