Domestic and Foreign Policy of the Central Asian Countries

Master 2026/2027

ID 1115510

Type: Elective course (Modern Asian and MENA studies)

Delivered by: School of Asian Studies

Where: Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs

When: 1 year, 4 module

Open to: students of one campus

Instructors: Damir Islamov

Language: English

ECTS credits: 3

Contact hours: 36

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Abstract

The domestic and foreign policies of the Central Asian countries (Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan) are shaped by their unique historical, geopolitical, and economic contexts. Since gaining independence following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, these states have navigated complex challenges in state-building, economic development, and regional integration. The governments of Central Asian countries emphasize national identity and cultural heritage, often promoting traditional values alongside modernization. Social issues such as youth unemployment, rural-urban disparities, and migration (both internal and external) are significant concerns. Resource-rich countries like Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan have leveraged their oil, gas, and mineral wealth to drive economic growth. However, their reliance on extractive industries has made them vulnerable to fluctuations in global commodity prices. Economic diversification, investment in infrastructure, and the development of sectors such as agriculture, technology, and tourism are key domestic priorities for these nations. The foreign policies of Central Asian states reflect a complex interplay of regional cooperation, great power relations, and national interests in the post-Soviet space. These countries have developed distinct diplomatic approaches while sharing common regional challenges and opportunities.

Learning Objectives

To provide an understanding of the fundamental principles of the domestic and foreign policies of the Central Asian states
• To obtain basic knowledge of the current political, economic, and social situation in Central Asia
• To equip students for both theoretical and applied research in the field of domestic and foreign policy of the Central Asian states
• To practice professional oral presentation of research
• To provide an understanding of the challenges in the relations between Russia and the Central Asian states

Expected Learning Outcomes

Identify and examine the principal directions of Kazakhstan’s domestic and foreign policy
Identify and evaluate Central Asia as a dynamic subsystem within the broader framework of international relations.
Identify and examine the principal directions of Uzbekistan’s domestic and foreign policy
Identify and examine the principal directions of Kyrgyzstan’s domestic and foreign policy
Identify and examine the principal directions of Tadjikistan’s domestic and foreign policy
Identify and examine the principal directions of Turkmenistan’s domestic and foreign policy
To examine and evaluate the role of external actors in Central Asia and their influence on the region’s political, economic, social, and security landscape
Identify and evaluate Central Asia within the system of international relations

Course Contents

Central Asia in the System of International Relations
Kazakhstan: Key Directions of Domestic and Foreign Policy
Uzbekistan: Key Directions of Domestic and Foreign Policy
Kyrgyzstan: Key Directions of Domestic and Foreign Policy
Tajikistan: Key Directions of Domestic and Foreign Policy
Turkmenistan: Key Directions of Domestic and Foreign Policy
The Influence of External Actors in Central Asia

Assessment Elements

Final exam in a form of discussion
During the exam, students answer orally the questions from their exam ticket. They have 10 minutes to prepare, and no reference materials are allowed.
Project
Students work in small groups to prepare presentations lasting 15-20 minutes. The presentation topic is assigned by the lecturer.
Midterm Assessment
The written assingment includes 1 open-ended question, with 45 minutes allocated for student responses. This format proves effective in assessing a thorough understanding of the material.
Active participation in seminar discussions
Students are required to participate in discussions and complete written assignments during seminar sessions

Interim Assessment

2026/2027 4th module
0.3 * Active participation in seminar discussions + 0.2 * Project + 0.2 * Midterm Assessment + 0.3 * Final exam in a form of discussion

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

34968 - Центральная Азия: От века империй до наших дней - А.Халид - Альпина нон-фикшн - 9785002233298 - 2024 - https://hse.alpinadigital.ru/book/34968 - Alpina
Central Asia and the Caucasus : at the crossroads of Eurasia in the 21st century, , 2011
Ethnicity, authority, and power in Central Asia : new games great and small, , 2014
The European Union, China and Central Asia : global and regional cooperation in a new era, , 2022
Гарбузарова, Е. Г. Центральная Азия в современных мирополитических процессах : монография / Е. Г. Гарбузарова. — Москва : Аспект Пресс, 2020. — 192 с. — ISBN 978–5–7567–1056–4. — Текст : электронный // Лань : электронно-библиотечная система. — URL: https://e.lanbook.com/book/144102 (дата обращения: 00.00.0000). — Режим доступа: для авториз. пользователей.
Центральная Азия как формирующаяся подсистема международных отношений, , 2024
Цыряпкина, Ю. Н. Центральная Азия в 1990–2010-е годы: основные тенденции внутренней и внешней политики : учебное пособие / Ю. Н. Цыряпкина. — Барнаул : АлтГПУ, 2015. — 267 с. — ISBN 978-5-88210-796-2. — Текст : электронный // Лань : электронно-библиотечная система. — URL: https://e.lanbook.com/book/112234 (дата обращения: 00.00.0000). — Режим доступа: для авториз. пользователей.

Recommended Additional Bibliography

Гарбузарова, Е. Г. Центральная Азия во внешней политике Турции и Ирана : монография / Е. Г. Гарбузарова. — Москва : Аспект Пресс, 2022. — 160 с. — ISBN 978-5-7567-1211-7. — Текст : электронный // Лань : электронно-библиотечная система. — URL: https://e.lanbook.com/book/266249 (дата обращения: 00.00.0000). — Режим доступа: для авториз. пользователей.
Звягельская, И. Д. Ближний Восток и Центральная Азия: Глобальные тренды в региональном исполнении : монография / И. Д. Звягельская. — Москва : Аспект Пресс, 2018. — 224 с. — ISBN 978–5–7567–0990–2. — Текст : электронный // Лань : электронно-библиотечная система. — URL: https://e.lanbook.com/book/115621 (дата обращения: 00.00.0000). — Режим доступа: для авториз. пользователей.

Authors

Islamov Damir Rimovich

Course Syllabus