Kyrgyzstan's strategic culture and its impact on the balancing policy between Russia and the US

The article explores the strategic culture of Kyrgyzstan and its influence on the policy of balancing between Russia and the United States from 1991 to 2024. The historical roots of strategic culture, its key elements, and their impact on the country's foreign policy behavior are analyzed. The main instruments of balancing—diplomatic, economic, and military—as well as their effects on the maintenance of sovereignty, economic development, and military security are considered. The article also reveals the limitations and risks of balancing strategies, including dependence on external actors and the need for flexible adaptation. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of Kyrgyzstan's foreign policy and may be useful for analyzing the behavior of small states in the context of great power competition.