The Quiet Rise of the Middle Powers in Central Asia and the South Caucasus: The "Middle Corridor"

The "Steppe Youth" of Central Asia is growing up and redefining the world order of the 21st century.

The era when global affairs focused only on major powers is about to end. This is not due to a dramatic event, but rather due to a steady, quiet reallocation of power around the world. This shift is most evident and unexpected in Central Asia. For years, Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan) has been seen as a chessboard, a flyover zone, and an edge region. Now, it is undergoing a complete transformation - a group of middle powers that have gained autonomy.

The rise of middle powers in Central Asia forces us to rethink the meaning of "great power competition." The five countries in the region - each in their own way - are shaping regional dynamics rather than being shaped by them. They no longer see or define themselves through the interests of major powers like Russia, but instead pursue bilateral and coordinated regional agendas that prioritize their own interests.

The Maturity of Central Asia

Each country in the region practices a "multi-dimensional" diplomacy, maintaining open communication channels with major global countries including Washington, Moscow, Beijing, Brussels, Ankara, and Tehran. They regularly hold forums that attract global attention to key regional issues, including cybersecurity, security, water resource management, and environmental security. They see themselves as maturing.

After Russia's second invasion of Ukraine, the resulting international sanctions mechanism effectively cut off the transport corridor from the northern part of the Russian territory to Central Asia. This led to a significant deviation in most of the region's trade. The resulting economic turmoil forced Central Asian leaders to make tough decisions, readjust business strategies, and adjust foreign policies.

The five Central Asian countries, along with Azerbaijan and Georgia, have worked together to quickly develop alternative trade routes, improve infrastructure, and establish cooperation mechanisms to accelerate freight transportation. The resulting "Middle Corridor" is a rapidly developing trans-Caspian route connecting China and Europe through Central Asia, the Caspian Sea, and the Caucasus region.

"Middle Corridor" Infrastructure Strategy

Four years ago, the initial logistics adjustments evolved into strategic adjustments. Now, Central Asia connecting the Caspian and Black Seas has become an energy and transportation hub in the center of Eurasia. The capitals of Central Asian countries are using their central geographical positions to turn the situation around against their neighbors who try to control regional transportation and thus control the economy of this vast steppe.

However, by directly accessing global markets through the "Middle Corridor," the region's economies are building independent supply chains and economic entities - they conduct some trade with Beijing and Moscow, but follow their own principles. These countries no longer see themselves as vulnerable competitors, but as emerging arbiters of competition.

Central Asian countries have cooperated with their South Caucasus neighbors, the United States, Europe, and Turkey to coordinate customs reforms, build ports, achieve trade digitization, and directly connect Europe and the Indian Ocean-Pacific region. The "Middle Corridor" is no longer just a trade route; it is becoming a corridor of sovereignty - symbolizing how middle powers use infrastructure as a strategic tool. By attracting substantial global investment to improve market access, Astana, Tashkent, and other capital cities in the region recognize that connectivity is power.

Source: The National Interest

Date: October 24

Author: Eric Rudenshiold

Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1846954836035596/

Statement: The article represents the views of the author himself.