The Role of Central Asian States in Modern Heartland Geopolitics

Abstract The Heartland Theory by Halford Mackinder identifies the massive land mass of Eurasia (which includes Central Asia) as the key area of global power because of the vast resource base and strategic depth of this area. In contrast, the current paper is an overview of how Central Asian countries (Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan) have evolved in terms of their role in the contemporary Heartland geopolitics of a multi-polar world system. Based on research articles published recently, the paper analyzes the relevance of these five Central Asian countries as part of various energy corridors, as well as, the influence of the Great Power competition between the U.S., China and Russia in Central Asia and the regional stability efforts in the region. Overall, the paper asserts that the five countries of Central Asia are important buffer states and bridge states in the context of the global supply chain and global security dynamics. Nevertheless, they face many challenges, such as climate change, and internal governance. Thus, the inclusion of Central Asia in the new Heartland approaches to globalization, demonstrates a transition from an isolated state of affairs to a highly interconnected multi-polar international system.