Eurasian Democracy Concerns Russia
Two weeks ago, the people of land-locked Kyrgyzstan revolted and overthrew the corrupt government of President Askar Akayev. Labeled the “Tulip Revolution,” the Kyrgyzstan revolt could prove to be the first of a number of democratic revolutions in Central Asia. “The outcome [of the new Kyrgyzstan government] is critically important for people living in the Central Eurasian region from Belarus to Uzbekistan who hope for a democratic future” (Wall Street Journal, March 29). If the Kyrgyzstan revolution proves succesful, it is likely that further democratic revolutions could occur in surrounding nations.
Any democratic transformation in a Central Asian nation, particularly one that leads to the establishment of a pro-Western government, will be embraced by both Europe and America.
Russia, however, is approaching governmental changes in Central Asia more pessimistically. With the election of pro-European governments in both Ukraine and Georgia, Russia has seen the European Union’s sphere of influence expand to within a few hundred miles of its capital city, Moscow. As Western Europe’s influence in Eastern Europe has increased, so too has America’s. U.S. military bases have been established throughout Eastern Europe and Central Asia—including Kyrgyzstan. The way Moscow sees it, Russia is being surrounded by both of its traditional enemies!
It is sure that Russian President Vladimir Putin will wrestle against the establishment of any pro-Western democracy in Central Asia. Putin’s conduct during the Ukrainian elections proves that he will not idly sit by and casually observe the establishment of any nearby pro-Western democracy. Watch for Putin to try to solidify Russian ties with Central Asian nations. Moscow’s diplomatic rhetoric with these nations is sure to intensify in the coming weeks and months.
If further democratic revolutions occur in Central Asia, and pro-Western governments are established, President Putin will respond by seeking alternate allies and strengthening his present alliances. This is where China and the rest of Asia enter the equation.
As Europe and America continue to influence and even control the nations on Russia’s western and southern borders, Moscow will continue to establish closer relations with its eastern neighbors. This trend is already occurring, but it will grow stronger.
President Putin’s Russia is under intense pressure. The treaties and economic ties Moscow currently has with Europe are nothing more than mutually beneficial, short-term agreements. Russia has been involved in two world wars against a German-led European alliance. Neither Russia nor Germany has forgotten the ferocious history between these two nations.
You can be sure that Russia is concerned about the establishment of pro-Western democracies in Central Asia. Unless any new governments serve his agenda, Putin will do his best to thwart these attempts. On top of this, Putin will augment his alliance with China and the rest of Asia. For more information about this Sino-Soviet alliance, see our booklet Russia and China in Prophecy.
