China and other major powers in Central Asia: strategies, initiatives, and partnerships in a changing security landscape

This special issue examines how the regional order in Central Asia is being reshaped amid major geopolitical transformations, particularly following the Russia – Ukraine war. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, the region has faced persistent instability rooted in Soviet legacies, uneven resource distribution, and increasing external engagement by major powers. The war has intensified geopolitical competition and reshaped debates over regional order and the role of external actors. This volume brings nine articles that analyze these dynamics through three analytical layers. The first layer focuses on intra-regional relations among the five Central Asian states, including economic and logistical linkages as well as environmental challenges such as climate change and water resources. The second layer examines interactions with neighboring powers, especially China and Russia, highlighting economic integration, security cooperation, and digital governance. The third layer addresses broader geopolitical relations, particularly the evolving Sino-Russian partnership. These studies demonstrate that Central Asia cannot be understood solely as a site of great-power competition. Regional transformations predate the Russia – Ukraine war, while developments such as the Taliban’s return to power remain equally significant. Overall, Central Asia emerges as a complex and dynamic space shaped by global pressures and overlapping forms of cooperation.