🌏 Almost a year and a half after the crisis in relations between Russia and the West entered its phase of military-political confrontation in Ukraine, we can state that the impact of the European tragedy on the situation in the rest of Eurasia turned out to be less dramatic than one might think.

There are several main factors of stability in this space, with the exception of the South Caucasus.

1️⃣ First, most of this vast region is geographically remote from the main theatres of confrontation between the major powers. In other words, Greater Eurasia avoids what the science of the past decades likes to call “rifts” precisely because there is no one in particular to break the space between states.

2️⃣ Second, the internal political systems of the countries of Eurasia are still much more resistant to the temptations of radicalisation of their behaviour than was previously believed. We do not know exactly how the situation in individual countries will develop in the future, but right now they are demonstrating enviable stability.

3️⃣ Third, the international institutions created in the region turned out to be not subject to the destructive factors that operate in Europe. Organisations like the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) or the Eurasian Economic Union look less well-groomed than their ancient European counterparts. However, they have turned out to be more stable, which is undoubtedly good news for their participants.

Greater Eurasia is under the influence of challenges and threats of both internal and external origin, therefore peace and stability there are not guaranteed. However, one should not lose sight of the objective factors that make Greater Eurasia a more stable region in modern circumstances than would be predicted by an established view of the nature of international politics in its regional dimension, writes Valdai Club Programme Director Timofei Bordachev.

https://valdaiclub.com/a/highlights/factors-of-stability-in-greater-eurasia/

#Asia_and_Eurasia #GreaterEurasia

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🇷🇺🌏 It is now extremely important for Russia to build a strategy in Eurasia and beyond, regardless of how quickly the goals of the Special Military Operation in Ukraine are achieved, as well as the general objectives in the field of European security formulated officially at the end of 2021. 

Russia's Greater Eurasia’s strategy is formed under the influence of several basic factors.

1️⃣ First, it cannot develop in isolation from how Moscow sees a new, fairer international order. It is based on respect for international law and the sovereign equality of states, and does not allow exclusive opportunities for one state or group. Greater Eurasia, due to its geopolitical position, is the strongest material foundation of this order, since the states located there naturally consider the security of their neighbours as part of their own.

2️⃣ Second, cooperation in Greater Eurasia inevitably relies on the global structures of the new international order, among which the central place is occupied by BRICS, the expansion of which has become the most important international event of 2023. During its chairmanship of the group, Russia will have to consider, as a whole, issues related to the development of BRICS and the strengthening of international cooperation in Greater Eurasia.

3️⃣ Third, the movement of Greater Eurasia towards more intense internal integrity cannot and will never be able to be carried out within the framework of the leadership model characteristic of all international institutions of the past. In Greater Eurasia, three of the four most important powers of the modern world are located – Russia, India and China, each of which balances the others, which is a guarantee against the formation of an unequal model of relations.

4️⃣ Finally, painstaking work on the practical “interconnection” of different forms of institutional and informal interaction between the countries of the region will remain important for Russian policy in Greater Eurasia. The process of cooperation between the Eurasian Economic Union and China, which is promoting the Belt and Road initiative, still continues, the SCO agenda is becoming more diverse, and the Collective Security Treaty Organisation is occupying its unique niche. The task that will inevitably be present in the activities of Russian diplomacy is the “conjugation” of their national interests and the dynamics of the development of structured forms of international cooperation in a huge region.

It is important for Russian foreign policy to be adaptive and able to benefit not only itself, but also the future of Eurasia, as a space of equal strategic cooperation between sovereign states, writes Timofei Bordachev, Programme Director of the Valdai Discussion Club.

https://valdaiclub.com/a/highlights/russia-greater-eurasia-and-modern-international/

#WiderEurasia #Eurasia #WorldOrder #GreaterEurasia #WorldMajority

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🧊 The Arctic is becoming one of the centres of international relations due to the dynamic changes taking place in the region.

The Arctic region has long been a subject of interest, primarily among the eight Arctic states — the United States of America, Canada, Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Finland and Sweden. However, in recent years, non-Arctic states, primarily India and China, have increasingly been paying attention to this region.

The Arctic region is so attractive because it has significant oil and gas reserves, estimated at up to 90 billion barrels of oil and 1.7 trillion cubic meters of natural gas. These resources are becoming increasingly important as global energy demand increases. In addition to oil and gas, the Arctic also provides opportunities for infrastructure development, mining and tourism.

The region has an extensive transport network, including one of the most promising shipping routes — the Northern Sea Route, which is currently actively developing. As the Arctic ice melts, it is attracting the attention of an increasing number of international actors. As a result, the diversification of international logistics is leading to the construction of new ports and pipelines, and the region’s mineral resources, including rare earth metals and diamonds, are opening up opportunities for investment in the mining industry.

The Arctic and Eurasia are closely interconnected, since, on the one hand, the key participants in international interaction in the Arctic region historically have been countries geographically located on the Eurasian continent, and, on the other hand, the Arctic itself is of great importance for ensuring the security and well-being of the Eurasian powers, Irina Strelnikova writes.

https://valdaiclub.com/a/highlights/the-eurasian-aspect-of-arctic-cooperation/

#GreaterEurasia #Eurasia #Arctic

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