Author name:
انصاف طالب محمد عبيد
Supervisor name:
اسامة مرتضى باقر السعيدي
Abstract:
Russia found itself on the impact of the disintegration of the Soviet Union in late 1991, before the independence of a number of its republics after it had been under the control of the center in - MOSCOW. It then became republics - independent - bordering Russia, not even trying to get out of the Russian link circle through conducting of foreign policies and engaging in relations with regional and international powers. The region of - Central Asia - make up an essential part in the vital area of Russian geopolitical, and has been for previous periods locations ahead of South actors western and southern empire Russian Tsarist and then Soviet later, so it is natural to become a foreign policy priority line is to keep the foundations of influence and try to strengthen them. And Central Asia are of great importance and vitality in economic terms, it includes rich countries in natural resources and wealth as (oil, gas, coal, rare metals) with a well - developed economic, scientific and technical capabilities. With the arrival of the Russian president (Vladimir Putin) to power in 2000, a change in Russian foreign trends, headed toward the beginning of a new phase after it was adopting policies that are compatible and consistent with Western trends in general, where President Putin has worked to strengthen cooperation and relations with the Central Asia republics as a priority to its principles, as well as the adoption of policies based on the balancing to achieve greater economic and security benefits to Russia, especially with Russia as a major continental country that intends to achieve regional and international goals by using various diplomatic, military and economic means, particularly since the new orientations of President Putin is focusing on restore Russia's international prestige. The importance of study : The choice of the Central Asian region in the Russian external political behavior backs its importance for the following reasons : 1. Russian national security : for many the Central Asian region is considered as a soft underbelly of Russia, and must create a buffer zone to ensure the security of Russia and ensure its geopolitical interests.2. Economic factor of energy sources and routes of pipelines for oil and natural gas.3. Reflections of 9/11 events and the war on terrorism.4. The US military presence in the region.5. Illegal drug trade.6. Existence of large Russian communities in these republics.7. Shared economic interests.8. Ensuring the stability of the region to avoid ethnic tensions and defend its interests and the interests of minorities in these republics.9. Exert a lot of efforts to prevent the domination of any other countries on the Central Asian region and to contain and dismantle the influence of the United States of America.Study Dilemma : The disintegration of the Soviet Union and the emergence of republics that became independent from him, led Russia to become in front of the new republics which was the vital area and influence to its former USSR ,That’s drive Russia to pursue a conduct that designed to strengthen and enhancing cooperation between Russia and the republics. Study dilemma runs from the following questions : 1. What is the Russian external political behavior? And what are the variables that affect the external political behavior? 2. What is the meaning of the Central Asian region? And what is its importance?3. What are the internal variables are instrumental in the Russian external perception towards Central Asia?4. Who are the regional and international powers that compete on the Central Asian region?5. What is the nature of Russia's relations with the republics of Central Asia? And what is the future of Russia's external political behavior towards these republicsStudy Hypothesis : The study starts from the premise that : the Russian external political behavior toward the Central Asia took a turn continued dominance , influence , acquisitions and the strengthening of relations with these republics that adequate with Russia's interests , objectives and aspirations.Study structure : The Structural of study is divided, in addition to the introduction and conclusion into four chapters, the first chapter deals with theoretical conceptual framework contains two sections ; first section deals with the nature of political behavior, while the second section focusing on the definition of Central Asian region geographically and its importance. The second chapter deals with the study of the internal variables affecting the Russian external perception towards Central Asia, as it has been divided into two sections chapter dealing with the first topic : self variables associated with the character of the decision maker, while taking second topic : the internal variables affecting the Russian external perception towards Central Asia. The Third Chapter; studying the acting foreign competing forces in the Russian external perception toward Central Asia. This chapter also divided into two sections, the first deals with regional powers, while the second section deals with international powers. The fourth and final chapter has singled out the outputs of Russian external political behavior towards the Central Asia. As this chapter has been divided into two sections the first dealt with : the nature of Russia's relations with the republics of Central Asia, while the second addressing : the future possibilities of Russian external political behavior toward the Central Asia.Conclusions and outcomes : A long history the Central Asian region formed a significance and strategy importance. The importance of this region in the Russian political behavior Have been influenced by variables that have occurred on the impact of the disintegration of the Soviet Union in 1991, Especially with the emergence of group of independent republics that led to the enhancing of regional competition among (Turkey , Iran, china , Israel , India and Pakistan), as well as open the door to international competition (United States and the European Union), and in return, Russia remained trying to maintain a strong and effective influence in these republics by restructuring its relations with these republics on the basis of ensuring its political independence with keeping in the form of a security belt under the dominance of the Russian Federation class basis. However; the Russian external political behavior towards these republics aims to make more cooperation and strengthening of relations between Russia and the republics of Central Asia.Conclusions : According to this study, the Russian external political behavior towards Central Asia after 2000 can be concluded to : 1. The external political behavior toward the Islamic Russian republics is a vital and important part of Russian public policy that cannot be compromised by the part.2. The energy resources (oil and natural gas) , which is rich in its Central Asian republics are considered as a central vital objective of Russia in these republics, something which will bring great benefits to Russia, especially if Russia in the future become an energy importer.3. The Central vital interests of the Asia - Pacific region for Russia in accordance to its political, security and economic importance that cannot be for Russia to ignore it.4. The arrival of (Vladimir Putin) to power in Russia in 2000, it has significantly affected the Russian external political behavior towards the Central Asia by working to strengthen cooperation and relations with these republics. 5. The events of 9/11 and its consequences create an opportunity for Russia to the existence of actual influence in Central Asia , as well as the restoration of part of its influence by declaring Russian leaders their refusal and readiness to fight international terrorism in every way.6. Russia's external political behavior in the president (Putin) period , seeking to play an active role in Central Asia in order to achieve its national interests and restore its position in the international arena.7. Putin's first term was devoted to the advancement of Russia from economic tyranny and strengthen its military capabilities, as well as to achieve political consensus and end the state of polarization between the communist and nationalist forces on the one hand and the Liberalist forces on the other hand, with the employment of foreign policy to serve domestic priorities.8. The President Putin period is an important stage in the introduction of reforms to the military operation.9. Russia was able to exploit regional conflicts in the Central Asian region in order to preserve the Russian military presence in the region.10. The creation of the Eurasian federation project between Russia, Kazakhstan and the Republic of Belarus at the beginning of 2015 is an important step to build strong ties and positive alliances with these republics
