The Value of Alternatives: Why the EU is Indispensable to Central Asian Security

Abstract

The security risks of post-Soviet Central Asia are pronounced and therefore present on the agendas of most international actors, including the US, Russia, and China. The EU is also concerned, although it has hitherto not been known for political success in the region, especially in terms of security. Indeed, the EU's approach to the region - oriented toward transformation, liberalization, and democratization - has been largely labeled a failure, with minimal impact and progress. Against this background, this article will review and discuss the nature of the threats to Central Asia's security, establish the extent of the EU’s actual "failure" by examining the distinct characteristics of the EU's security approach, and, finally, reflct on how European policy can have an impact on the local security situation in the future.