Three powers, three visions: Eurasian economic union, new silk road initiative, and silk road economic belt

Abstract

The three world powers such as Russia, the United States, and China have their own
visions of integration in Central Asia. The article analyzes the creation, and development of the
Eurasian Economic Union led by Russia, The New Silk Road Initiative led by the United States,
and the Silk Road Economic Belt proposed by China, and then the possible positive and negative
effects on Central Asia. The article attempts to answer the question: Can these three processes
exist and flourish side by side in Central Asia and which one will prevail in the long term? Since
the economic and political relations between Russia and China have never been so good and
Chinese influence over Central Asia is purely economic rather than political, Eurasian Economic
Union and Silk Road Economic Belt initiative might coexist and prosper side by side. On the
other hand, The New Silk Road Initiative will have a negative effect since the United States is
withdrawing from the region and not committing enough funds to make the initiative sustainable.
One part of the article analyzes the two main trends in international relations, globalization,
and regionalization, and sketches the relations between these two. The second part explores the
integration and integration theories. The third part describes the integration processes, such as
Eurasian Economic Union and Silk Road Economic Belt, their history, structure, and institutions.
The fourth section compares these two processes and concludes that they can coexist at the same
time.