Traditions, calculations, functions - Russia's return to Central Asia

After the disintegration of the Soviet Union, Central Asia played no role in Russia's foreign policy. During Putin's second term of office, this has changed. Russia once again has the financial means and instruments to play a major role there. Central Asia has become an important stage where Russia can pursue its security policy and economic interests and compete for power with China and the United States. In the process, it is able to fall back on Soviet networks and practices. Putin's role model and Russia's "managed democracy" play to the interests of the authoritarian rulers of Central Asia. However, they are hardly willing to submit to Moscow's dictate.