Central Asia and the Indo-Pacific: bridging the divide in an age of great power rivalry

You must know about the special section in the July 2025 issue of International Affairs titled „Central Asia and the Indo-Pacific: bridging the divide in an age of great power rivalry.“ This collection addresses how prevailing Indo-Pacific strategies mostly focus on maritime domains, often sidelining continental Eurasia and central Asia’s strategic importance. This section explains how China views Central Asia as pivotal for its Eurasian ambitions, particularly under its Belt and Road Initiative, while other Indo-Pacific countries respond differently. Importantly, Central Asian states are seen as active agents employing hedging, diversification, and omni-enmeshment strategies to balance relations with China, Russia, and Indo-Pacific actors. This reframes how policymakers and analysts should view the Indo-Pacific and Central Asia jointly rather than separately, reflecting complex geopolitical realities. You can read more on this important synthesis at the official publication here: Central Asia and the Indo-Pacific special section.Central Asia and the Indo-Pacific special section.