The situation in Central Asia has grown so complicated that
it almost defies description. It is a truly a new and more complex version of
the 19th century Great Game. Except this time the stakes are bigger
are there are more players.
Overlapping interests coupled with political and economic
spheres have created a kaleidoscope of relationships that are hard to keep
track of.
The stronger powers... Russia, China and the United States are all vying for control.
Lesser powers... Turkey, India, Pakistan and Iran are also involved and each for their own reasons which sometimes correspond with the interests and agendas of the larger powers.
Then there are the Central Asia nations or 'stans'
themselves. Each is trying to maintain a level of autonomy and self-determination
but at the same time needs access to markets and is looking for powerful
friends. Each nation has its internal struggles and threats ranging from ethnic
tension to Islamism.
The borders themselves are fictitious creations of two
empires...the Russian and Soviet. Even demographic statistics have been
politicized.
These clashes are frequent and yet often unreported. Only
the websites and publications specifically focused on the region are really
paying attention.
Why does it matter?
There are small groups of Biblical Christians in these lands
and they are caught up in the middle of all this. We need to pray for them as
they are caught in geopolitical realm of growing tension, authoritarianism and
violent fanaticism.
And, as not a few geopolitical strategists have argued, this
region is actually critical to understanding the power and resource struggles
of the 21st Century. There's a prize to be won and part of the
'spoils' is blocking the aspirations of rival powers.
Events like the one mentioned in the link are just part of
the confusing mess. Who knows what's random and what's orchestrated? There are
schemers, spies and provocateurs everywhere.
The US has had a keen eye on this region since the late
1990s. Afghanistan was all but abandoned after 1989, but within the decade strategists
had realized their error vis-à-vis the larger region, and moves were being made
to bring the US back and in a more determined way. After 2001 they had the
excuse they needed.
Today, it's more complicated than ever. The US is not
leaving the region but is in the process of trying to adjust. A few troops, political
and economic proxies are preferred but the instability of Afghanistan threatens
the whole region. The US was happy to deal with the Taliban in the late 1990s.
They are doing so again but a brutal and largely failed occupation has only
complicated matters and destabilized both Central Asia and the politics of the
Subcontinent.
Eventually larger issues will arise and trouble will erupt.
And like Vietnam in the 1960's this area of the world (beyond Afghanistan) is
relatively unknown. Americans will be unfamiliar with the region and the issues
and therefore will be susceptible to US government propaganda.
There's no need to master the intricacies. What's needed is
a general awareness of the region and the nature of the ongoing struggle and
the likelihood of escalation.
