From Buffer to Bridge: The Wakhan Corridor and the Return of Russia and China to Eurasia

As the United States reassesses its global commitments, the opening of Afghanistan’s Wakhan Corridor creates a new trade artery between China, Central Asia and South Asia — giving Russia and China new openings to reshape the Eurasian order.

The Changing Global Balance of Power

Since the recent foreign policy changes and subsequent actions of the West (especially the US) are becoming increasingly disadvantageous to many of their former ‘allies’, Moscow and Beijing have gained an opportunity to strengthen their multilateral relations and reduce the overall dependence on the West. Rather than confronting Western powers directly, both countries are seeking greater influence through regional diplomacy in their own hemispheres. Eurasian order is changing, and world power is now shifting towards China and Russia.

The Vacuum America Has Left Behind

The United States has begun reassessing aspects of its overseas military posture amid escalating Middle Eastern tensions and growing debate over its global commitments. There have been big changes in the number of troops deployed in Europe, which has raised questions about the promises Washington made to Europe in terms of the security it would provide. This has created a vacuum in Eurasia, which can now easily be filled by regional powers like Russia and China. Russia has the opportunity to take advantage of this situation to restructure the security alignment of the region and enhance its role in what once was the Soviet bloc. Similarly, for China, it may provide more room to extend its influence in Asia, specifically in Central Asia. The key geopolitical challenge is how changes in........

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