GEOPOLITICAL SITUATION IN CENTRAL ASIA AND RUSSIA’S POLICY

The article analyzes the political realities prevailing in the post-Soviet Central Asian countries and in the regional international relations over the past two decades. The situation in the Central Asian region can greatly affect the geopolitical balance of powerin Eurasia andsecurity spherein the considered unstable region. Particular attention is paid to the conflict potential of Central Asia, security issues, foreign policy resources of such countries as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan, as well as the influence of the external factors on the political and socio-economic processes in the region. In the context of the integration processes within the CIS the author considers the Russian policy in Central Asia, defines its goals and objectives, examines the mechanisms and features of its implementation, that has not only theoretical but also practical significance. The region is a part of Russia’straditional sphere of national interests. In the acute competition with major international actors it retains its influence here.