Central Asia’s republics are no longer the chess pieces of empires

When people speak of the Great Game, they usually mean the 19th-century rivalry between the British and Russian empires for influence over Central Asia. It conjures up images of spies crossing deserts, mountain fortresses and imperial intrigue – an era vividly brought to life in Peter Hopkirk’s books, which first awakened my fascination with the region.A century and a half after the Great Game, another contest is unfolding across the same region. To the north is Russia, the region’s traditional political and security partner. To the east is China, its largest trading partner and an increasingly important investor. Turkey, the European Union and the United States are also seeking a greater presence.Yet this new Great Game is being played by different rules. Central Asian republics are no longer prizes to be won. They have become increasingly confident players in their own right.