Shanghai Cooperation Organization: paper tiger or regional powerhouse
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Authors
Turner, Jefferson E.
Subjects
Shanghai Cooperation Organization
SCO
Shanghai-Five
Central Asia
Sino-Russian Relations
U.S.-Russia Relations
Sino-U.S. Relations
U.S.-Central Asia Relations
"Great Game"
Collective Security Treaty Organization
CSTO
Commonwealth of Independent States
CIS
SCO
Shanghai-Five
Central Asia
Sino-Russian Relations
U.S.-Russia Relations
Sino-U.S. Relations
U.S.-Central Asia Relations
"Great Game"
Collective Security Treaty Organization
CSTO
Commonwealth of Independent States
CIS
Advisors
Clunan, Anne L.
Twomey, Christopher P.
Date of Issue
2005-09
Date
September 2005
Publisher
Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
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.
Type
Description
Series/Report No
Department
Department of National Security Affairs.
Organization
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Funder
Format
x, 134 p. ; 28 cm.
Citation
Distribution Statement
Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.