Features of Ensuring Regional Security in Central Asia: An Analysis of the Geopolitical Situation

Abstract
With the continuation of the Russia-Ukraine war and the seizure of power in Afghanistan by the radical Taliban movement, the issue of ensuring countries’ security has taken a new dimension. These occurrences directly influence the global situation. This research aims to examine the primary security issues in Central Asia and identify regional threats within the evolving geopolitical context. To address the research objectives, various methods of cognition were employed, including historical, structural and functional, institutional, comparative, forecasting, political and legal analysis, classification, analogy, abstraction, analysis, and generalisation. The main results of this study include characterising the specifics of Central Asia and external threats to regional security, analysing the policies of the governments in the region to combat religious extremism and international terrorism, determining the prospects for establishing a collective defence organisation to develop mechanisms for countering these threats, and outlining the main activities of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and the Collective Security Treaty Organisation in maintaining regional stability and addressing the distribution of water and energy resources. The study also considered such security threats as cybercrime, human trafficking, separatism, interethnic conflicts, illegal migration, arms smuggling, and drug trafficking. This research's findings and materials have theoretical and practical applications. They may be helpful for researchers whose interests include the problems of national and regional security, political processes in post-Soviet Central Asia, and ethno-confessional conflicts in this area.
Keywords
Religious Extremism, Fight Against Terrorism, Political Conflict, Threat to Territorial Integrity, Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, Sustainable Development, Central Asia
Author Biography
Nurgul Akkozhina
The author is a PhD Student at the Department of Regional Studies, L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, Astana, Republic of Kazakhstan
References
- Akhatov, U.A., Bekturova, A.G., Madaliyeva, A.A., Sharipov, S.M., & Tursynkulova, D.A. (2018). Harmonization of environmental legislation. Journal of Legal, Ethical and Regulatory Issues, 21(1), 1–6. https://www.abacademies.org/articles/Harmonization-of-environmental-legislation-1544-0044-21-1-127.pdf
- Alkuwaiti, M. (2020). The importance of the Central Asian region in energy security at the global level: A review. Journal of Public Affairs, 22(3), e2427. https://doi.org/10.1002/pa.2427
- Amanbekova, S. (2019). Afghan drug traffic and regional security problems in Central Asia. Post-Soviet Studies, 2(3), 1103–1110. https://doi.org/10.24411/2618-7426-2019-00027
- Apakhayev, N., Madiyarova, A.S., Aigarinova, G., Ryskaliyev, D.U., Buribayev, Y.A., & Khamzina, Z.A. (2017). Current trends of legal regulation of relationships in the social protection sphere. Man in India, 97(11), 22–231. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/318778539_Current_trends_of_legal_regulation_of_relationships_in_the_social_protection_sphere
- Aryan, S. (2022). Afghanistan and the countries of Central Asia in the context ensuring regional security. International Relationships, 3, 45–59. https://doi.org/10.7256/2454-0641.2022.3.27472
- Azemi, E. (2025). Drug Trafficking in the Ferizaj region of Kosovo in the period 2018-2022. Dialogues in Humanities and Social Sciences, 3(1), 73–79. https://doi.org/10.71261/dhss/3.1.73.79
- Badovskis, M., Briede, J., Danovskis, E., Dupate, K., Karkliņa, A., Ketners, K., Liholaja, V., Rodiņa, A., & Strada-Rozenberga, K. (2017). Public law. In T. Kerikmäe, K. Joamets, J. Pleps, A. Rodiņa, T. Berkmanas, & E. Gruodytė (Eds.), The Law of the Baltic States (pp. 191–275). Springer: Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-54478-6_5
- Bayanbayeva, A., Makhmadinov, D., Myrzatayev, N., Niyetalina, G., Narbayeva, G., Suleimenova, S., & Altynbassov, B. (2023). The Transformational Role of Entrepreneurial Universities in Fostering Tourism Sector of Kazakhstan: Legal Documentary Analysis. Journal of Environmental Management and Tourism, 14(4), 2046–2055. https://doi.org/10.14505/jemt.v14.4(68).16
- Bazarova, M. (2021). The role of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in the development of the countries of Central Asian transport and logistics potential. Political Studies, 62, 9–29. https://doi.org/10.33896/spolit2021.62.1
- Central Asian Bureau for Analytical Reporting (2021). Central Asian countries are not ready to accept refugees from Afghanistan. https://cabar.asia/ru/strany-tsentralnoj-azii-ne-gotovy-prinimat-bezhentsev-iz-afganistana#:~:text=Countries%20central%20Asia%2C%20za%20exclusion,only%20ethnic%20kyrgyz%20and%20kazakh
- Collective Security Treaty. (1992). https://docs.cntd.ru/document/1900489
- Dauren, A. (2019). Regional security in Central Asia: Addressing existing and potential threats and challenges. Eurasian Research Journal, 1(1), 51–65. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/333319921_Regional_Security_in_Central_Asia_Addressing_Existing_and_Potential_Threats_and_Challenges
- Densmaa, O., & Suren, B. (2023). Regional security: The current situation and future trends in central Asia. International Journal of Innovative Technologies in Social Science, 4(40), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.31435/rsglobal_ijitss/30122023/8095
- Doroshkevich, A.S., Lyubchyk, A.I., Islamov, A.K., Turchenko, V.A., Glazunova, V.A., Yu. Zelenyak, T., Burkhovetskiy, V.V., Shylo, A.V., Balasoiu, M., Saprykina, A.V., Ohmura, S., Lygina, O.S., Lyubchyk S.I., Konstantinova, T.E., Lakusta, M.V., Bodnarchuk, V.I., Lyubchyk, S.B., Bacherikov, Y.Y., Aliyeva, Y., & Kholmurodov, K.T. (2017). Nonequilibrium chemo-electronic conversion of water on the nanosized YSZ: Experiment and Molecular Dynamics modelling problem formulation. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 848(1), 012021. https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/848/1/012021
- Dzhantaleeva, M. (2019). The role of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in providing regional security in Central Asia. The Caspian Region: Politics, Economics, Culture, 1(58), 95–98. https://kaspy.asu.edu.ru/storage/archive/1(58)/95-98.pdf
- Garbuzarova, E. (2021). The role of the SCO in the Process of neutralizing regional challenges and threats. Post-Soviet Issues, 8(4), 425–436. https://doi.org/10.24975/2313-8920-2021-8-4-425-436
- Harpviken, K., & Tadjbakhsh, S. (2016). A rock between hard places: Afghanistan as an arena of regional insecurity. Oxford: Oxford University Press. https://www.idsa.in/system/files/jds/jds_11_4_2017_rock-between-hard-places-afghanistan-as-an-arena-of-regional-insecurity.pdf
- Hynek, O. (2020). Geopolitics of Central Asia: Between the Russian bear and the Chinese dragon. Central European Journal of Politics, 6(2), 73–93. https://doi.org/10.24132/cejop_2020_4
- Jeong, M.-J., Seok, J.-O., Han, W.-S., Seon, S.-H., & Chung, J.-K. (2022). A righteous war: comparing Milton's external revolution and Bunyan's internal struggle. Astra Salvensis, 2022(1), 217–228. https://www.ceeol.com/search/article-detail?id=1048654
- Kalaganov, B., Madiyarova, A.S., Sartayeva, K.R., Kim, E.P., Apakhayev, N., & Buribayev, Y.A. (2018). Legal fundamentals of the Kazakhstan’s environmental international cooperation: New vectors of legislative reforms. Journal of Environmental Management and Tourism, 9(7), 1525–1538. https://doi.org/10.14505/jemt.v9.7(31).16
- Kassymzhanova, A.A., Usseinova, G.R., Baimakhanova, D.M., Ibrayeva, A.S., & Ibrayev, N.S. (2022). Legal framework for external security of the Republic of Kazakhstan. International Journal of Electronic Security and Digital Forensics, 14(2), 209–222. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJESDF.2022.121180
- Kaszuba, M. (2019). The Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) in the foreign policy of the Russian Federation. The Copernicus Journal of Political Studies, 1, 141–153. https://doi.org/10.12775/CJPS.2019.008
- Khamzin, A.S., Khamzina, Z.A., Buribayev, Y.A., Tileubergenov, Y.M., Ibraimov, D.A., & Yermekov, A.T. (2016). International legal aspects of exercising refugees’ rights in Central Asia. Journal of Advanced Research in Law and Economics, 7(4), 835–841. https://doi.org/10.14505/jarle.v7.4(18).15
- Khan, N. (2023). Homelessness and suicidality: How new emigrants confront the dilemma? Evidence from existing research conducted in Canada. Scientific Studios on Social and Political Psychology, 29(2), 47–52. https://doi.org/10.61727/sssppj/2.2023.47
- Khanaliyev, N.U. (2020). Regional security through the prism of historic relations between Central Asia and the Middle East. Russia and the Modern World, 2020, 166–174. https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/regionalnaya-bezopasnost-skvoz-prizmu-istoricheskih-svyazey-tsentralnoy-azii-i-blizhnego-vostoka/viewer
- Kocatepe, Ö. F., & Şahin, M. (2024). Post-Soviet regional security complex revisited: Is Central Asia still a subcomplex? Bilig, 110, 135–156. https://doi.org/10.12995/bilig.11006
- Kokoshin, A., & Kokoshina, Z. (2022). The main vectors of the US foreign policy strategy in Central Asia. Nature Public Health Emergency Collection, 92(7), 581–588. https://doi.org/10.1134/S1019331622130056
- Kongyratbay, T.A. (2021). The ethnic nature of the Kazakh heroic epic Alpamys. Eposovedenie, 21(1), 14–29. https://doi.org/10.25587/w4013-1717-6780-j
- Kongyratbay, T.A. (2023). The ethnic character of the Kazakh epic Koblandy Batyr. Eposovedenie, 2023(1), 61–71. https://doi.org/10.25587/SVFU.2023.46.85.006
- Konieczny, M. (2023). Features of the current geopolitical situation and foreign policy of independent Ukraine. Foreign Affairs, 33(6), 22–29. https://doi.org/10.46493/2663-2675.33(6).2023.22-29
- Koshkinbaeva, A.S., Shaigaliyev, M.G., Buribayev, Y.A., Khamzina, Z.A., & Khamzina, S.S. (2019). International legal regulation of environmental safety: In focus – Kazakhstan. Rivista di Studi sulla Sostenibilita, 1, 121–142. https://doi.org/10.3280/RISS2019-001008
- Kovach, D., Kullolli, B., Djaparova, S., Mikhnevych, L., & Myskovets, I. (2024). Legal aspects of environmental sustainability and climate change: the role of international and national legislation. Journal of Environmental Law and Policy, 4(2), 149–179. https://doi.org/10.33002/jelp040206
- Kullolli, B. (2024). Hacker Attacks on Electronic Election and Vote Counting Systems: Estimation of Damages and Methods of Protection. Pakistan Journal of Criminology, 16(3), 31–44. https://doi.org/10.62271/pjc.16.3.31.44
- Kurylo, V., Karaman, O., Bader, S., Pochinkova, M., & Stepanenko, V. (2023). Critical thinking as an information security factor in the modern world. Social and Legal Studios, 6(3), 67–74. https://doi.org/10.32518/sals3.2023.67
- Lemon, E. (2018). Critical approaches to security in Central Asia: An introduction. Central Asian Survey, 37(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1080/02634937.2018.1435760
- Marat, E., & Botoeva, G. (2022). Drug trafficking, violence and corruption in Central Asia. Birmingham: University of Birmingham. https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/documents/college-social-sciences/government-society/publications/drug-trafficking-violence-and-corruption-in-central-asia-research-paper.pdf
- Maulenov, K.S., Kudubayeva, S.A., & Uvaliyeva, A.A. (2021). Studying a Face Search Method Based on the Idea of Sparse Data Representation by Generating Random Points. In SIST 2021 - 2021 IEEE International Conference on Smart Information Systems and Technologies (p. 9465986). Nur-Sultan: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. https://doi.org/10.1109/SIST50301.2021.9465986
- Mayer, S. (2021). Cooperation from outside: Security regionalism in Central Asia and its limits. Central Asian Affairs, 8(2), 203–228. https://doi.org/10.30965/22142290-bja10017
- Mingazutdinov, I., & Mingazutdinova, H. (2017). Security challenges and threats for Central Asian states in light of the Russian annexation of Crimea in 2014. Actual Problems of International Relations, 130, 13–23. https://doi.org/10.17721/apmv.2017.130.0.13-23
- Mykytchuk, N. (2022). Central Asia countries: Participation in international organizations, problems of collective security systems and regional integration. Regional Studies, 28, 103–107. https://doi.org/10.32782/2663-6170/2022.28.19
- Nakonechna, K.V., & Samsonova, V.V. (2021). Government support of agricultural production given the natural climatic conditions and the production environment of Ukraine. Science and Innovation, 17(2), 3–14. https://doi.org/10.15407/scine17.02.003
- NGO Working Group on Women, Peace and Security. (2022). Gender analysis of the situation in Ukraine. https://www.un.org/sexualviolenceinconflict/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/report/gender-analysis-of-the-situation-in-ukraine/Gender-Analysis-of-the-Situation-in-Ukraine-April-2022.pdf
- Nicharapova, J. (2019). Shanghai Cooperation Organization: A realist approach. World of Ideas and Politics, 18, 11–24. https://www.ukw.edu.pl/download/56137/01._Jildiz_Nicharapova.pdf
- Nurgaliuly, A., & Kazbekova, L. (2021). Economic security of Kazakhstan: Applying foreign experience. Central Asian Economic Review, 3, 53–65. https://doi.org/10.52821/2224-5561-2021-3-53-65
- Nurtazina, R., & Toktushakov, A. (2017). Internal migration in central Asia: Social risks (case studies of Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan). Central Asia and the Caucasus, 18(4), 46–56. https://ca-c.org/CAC/index.php/cac/article/view/1397
- Olimov, A. (2022). Central Asia region: A threat to its security sources and measures to fight against them. International Scientific Journal “Science and Innovation”, 1(6), 214–219. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7179818
- Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. (2020). The use and management of water resources in Central Asia: A consultation on future directions. https://www.oecd.org/content/dam/oecd/en/about/programmes/water-energy-land-use-linkages/policy-perspectives-use-management-water-resources-central-asia.pdf
- Paduraru, M., & Voicu, C.I. (2020). Security risk analysis perspectives on Central Asia dynamics. In Transformation and Development (pp. 51–65). Cham: Springer Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-42775-7_4
- Pavlysh, A. (2022). Response to Moscow’s move: Kazakhstan wants to transport oil to Europe bypassing the Russian Federation. https://www.epravda.com.ua/rus/news/2022/07/7/688954/
- Pietkiewicz, M. (2017). Borders of the Central Asian countries under the international law. New Eastern Policy, 4(15), 30–42. https://czasopisma.marszalek.com.pl/images/pliki/npw/15/npw2017402.pdf
- Preobrazhensky, I. (2022). Central Asia without Russia – Time to make a choice. https://www.dw.com/ru/kommentarij-centralnaa-azia-bez-rossii-vrema-delat-vybor/a-63844872
- Rasoulinezhad, E., Sung, J., Talipova, A., & Taghizadeh-Hesary, F. (2022). Analysing energy trade policy in Central Asia using the intercountry trade force approach. Economic Analysis and Policy, 73, 441–454. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eap.2021.12.003
- Reuters. (2022). Kazakhstan does not recognize Russia-led referendums in Ukraine. https://www.golosameriki.com/a/kazakhstan-does-not-recognize-russia-led-referenda-in-ukraine/6763406.html
- Rikhsiev, S. (2021). Ecological problems of Central Asia and Uzbekistan. International Scientific Journal “Science and Education”, 2(1), 143–147. https://ecogosfond.kz/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/C.A.D.527.Jekologicheskie-problemy-centralnoj-azii-i-uzbekistana.pdf
- Romanchuk, L., Fedonyuk, T., Pazych, V., Fedonyuk, R., Khant, G., & Petruk, A. (2018). Assessment of the stability of aquatic ecosystems development on the basis of indicators of the macrophytes fluctuating asymmetry. Eastern-European Journal of Enterprise Technologies, 4(10-94), 54–61. https://doi.org/10.15587/1729-4061.2018.141055
- Scepanovic, J. (2022). Russia and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization: A question of the commitment capacity. European Politics and Society, 23(5), 712–734. https://doi.org/10.1080/23745118.2021.1932081
- Serikzhanova, A., Nurtazina, R., Serikzhanova, I., Bukharbay, B., & Taitorina, B. (2024). Evolving Political Cultures in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan: Trends and New Paradigms. Journal of Ethnic and Cultural Studies, 11(3), 1–24. https://doi.org/10.29333/ejecs/1914
- Sheryazdanova, G., Nurtazina, R., Byulegenova, B., Serikzhanova, A., & Dzhunusova, A. (2024). Socioeconomic and Political Causes of Youth Radicalization during the January 2022 Events in Kazakhstan. Global Perspectives, 5(1), 120495. https://doi.org/10.1525/gp.2024.120495
- Somzhurek, B., Yessengaliyeva, A., Medeubayeva, Z., & Makangali, B. (2018). Central Asia and regional security. Communist and Post-Communist Studies, 51(2), 161–171. https://www.jstor.org/stable/48610522
- Spytska, L. (2024). Consumer psychology and the effectiveness of marketing campaigns: The influence of psychological factors on consumer preferences and purchases. Economics of Development, 23(4), 48–59. https://doi.org/10.57111/econ/4.2024.48
- Sullivan, C.J. (2022). Afghanistan in anarchy: America’s withdrawal, Taliban rule and regional implications for Central Asia. Journal of Asian Security and International Affairs, 9(3), 513–530. https://doi.org/10.1177/23477970221129908
- Toktomushev, K. (2018). Understanding cross-border conflict in post-Soviet Central Asia: The case Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. Connections: The Quarterly Journal, 17(1), 21–41. https://connections-qj.org/article/understanding-cross-border-conflict-post-soviet-central-asia-case-kyrgyzstan-and-tajikistan
- Tutinova, N., Baigozhina, G., & Shukusheva, E. (2018). Ethno-territorial problems of regional security in Central Asia. Eurasian Journal of Religious Studies, 3(15), 20–27. https://bulletin-religious.kaznu.kz/index.php/relig/article/download/178/164/488
- Umarov, A. (2020). Central Asia: Construction of the new regional security complex? The Journal of Cross-Regional Dialogues, Special Issue, 69–82. https://doi.org/10.25518/2593-9483.135
- Umbetbayeva, Z.B., Akhatov, U.A., Kuandykov, B.Z., Umbetov, M.N., & Kalkashev, N.B. (2016). International legal aspects of the environment protection in modern conditions. Journal of Advanced Research in Law and Economics, 7(6), 1528–1538. https://doi.org/10.14505/jarle.v7.6(20).34
- Umyshev, D.R., Dostiyarov, A.M., Duisenbek, Z.S., Tyutebayeva, G.M., Yamanbekova, A.K., Bakhtyar, B.T., & Hristov, J. (2020). Effects of different fuel supply types on combustion characteristics behind group of V-gutter flame holders: Experimental and numerical study. Thermal Science, 24, 379–391. https://doi.org/10.2298/TSCI191115471U
- United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. (2021). World Drug Report 2021. https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/3931425?v=pdf
- United Nations Security Council. (2023). Ukraine: Civilian casualties mount as war enters second winter. https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/11/1143852
- Usenov, A. (2021). Turkey in Central Asia: Influence and limits. https://www.caa-network.org/archives/21989/turcziya-v-czentralnoj-azii-vliyanie-i-limity
- Vasa, L., & Nurimbetov, R. (2022). The Shanghai Cooperation Organization in a Changing Central Asian geopolitical context. Academic and Applied Research in Military and Public Management Science, 20(2), 27–38. https://doi.org/10.32565/aarms.2021.2.3
- Vilks, A., Kipane, A., & Krivins, A. (2024). Preventing international threats in the context of improving the legal framework for national and regional security. Social and Legal Studios, 7(1), 97–105. https://doi.org/10.32518/sals1.2024.97
- Vinokurov, E., Ahunbaev, A., Babajanyan, V., Berdigulova, A., Zaboev, A., Kuznetsov, A., Malakhov, A., Pereboev, V., Usmanov, N., Fedorov, K., & Kharitonchik, A. (2022). The economy of Central Asia: A fresh perspective. Reports and Working Papers, 22(3), 104. https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/Delivery.cfm/SSRN_ID4274081_code2506820.pdf?abstractid=4274081&mirid=1&type=2
- Xue, Y., & Makengo, B. (2021). Twenty years of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization: Achievements, challenges and prospects. Open Journal of Social Sciences, 9(10), 184–200. https://doi.org/10.4236/jss.2021.910014
- Yevseiev, S., Hryshchuk, R., Molodetska, K., Nazarkevych, M., Hrytsyk, V., Milov, O., et al. (2022). Modeling of security systems for critical infrastructure facilities. In Modeling of Security Systems for Critical Infrastructure Facilities (pp. 1–181). Kharkiv: Technology Center. https://doi.org/10.15587/978-617-7319-57-2
- Yurong, C. (2015). Cooperation in the sphere of regional security strengthening – Priority task of SCO. International Analytics, 2(15), 27–29. https://doi.org/10.46272/2587-8476-2015-0-2-27-29
- Zaitseva, Y.A. (2019). Security issues of the Central Asian region on the modern stage of regional cooperation implementation. Post-Soviet Studies, 2(5), 1241–1248. https://scholarspace.library.gwu.edu/downloads/1n79h5041?disposition=attachment&locale=en