This study explores the geopolitical transformation of Central Asia amid intensifying competition among global and regional actors for influence over this strategically important Eurasian space. The analysis focuses on the foreign policy strategies of Russia, China, the United States, the European Union, Turkey, India, and Iran, as well as the responses of Central Asian states to growing external pressures and shifting international dynamics. The author examines the institutional, economic, and normative mechanisms of influence employed by these powers, alongside the adaptive strategies and political maneuvering of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and others. Particular attention is given to the emergence of a new model of regional agency characterized by multi-vector diplomacy, selective integration, rejection of rigid dependencies, and pragmatic institutional behavior. The methodological framework integrates neorealism, regionalism theory, the concept of soft power, and comparative political and institutional analysis. The scientific novelty of the paper lies in the development and theoretical grounding of the concept of “soft regional resistance,” which reflects the ability of Central Asian countries to preserve strategic autonomy, reduce the risks of asymmetric dependence, and selectively incorporate external initiatives in line with national priorities. The study shows that these states are moving beyond the role of passive recipients of external influence, instead building a stable framework of agency through institutional flexibility and interest-based pragmatism. It concludes that soft forms of adaptation such as avoiding direct confrontation, limiting participation in international projects, and diversifying partnerships—are becoming the dominant strategy in a multipolar world. This research contributes to the advancement of international relations theory by enriching the conceptual tools used to study the behavior of peripheral and semi-peripheral actors.
Hanyu Zhao (Fri,) studied this question.