The struggle: "This region perseveres in the shadow of Western dominance"
Explore "The Great Balancing Act: Greater Eurasia’s Path to Stability" for an in-depth analysis of the region's dynamics. Read the full article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
**The Great Balancing Act: Greater Eurasia’s Path to Stability**
In Greater Eurasia, we observe a prominent clash between two essential models of interstate relations: cooperation, showcased through regional institutions and platforms, and competition, fueled by a global economy and political landscape still influenced heavily by the West. This dynamic shapes the opportunities and challenges that confront Russia’s policies in this region as we move toward 2025.
In the coming years, the region will strive to balance its inherent desire for collective development with the disruptive consequences of global disintegration processes. Two key factors influence this equilibrium. First, states in Greater Eurasia are dedicated to fulfilling their national development goals. Secondly, the region’s central role in international politics and economics ties its development to overarching global trends.
As the international order progresses toward a state of comparative equilibrium, states in Greater Eurasia will inevitably face challenges and tests. Nonetheless, the long-term impact of this shift could be beneficial, potentially creating an environment where cooperation emerges as the prevailing trend in interstate relations. Despite current difficulties, there is cautious optimism for the future of this region.
**Cooperation in Greater Eurasia**
Cooperation within Greater Eurasia is evident through initiatives and organizations that intentionally resist domination by a single nation or a small coalition of states. Over the past decades, the establishment of such institutions has marked a significant achievement, reflecting a collective commitment to security and stability through collaboration with neighboring countries.
In contrast to other regions of the world, Greater Eurasia does not feature distinct separating lines between economic or military-political blocs. The Shanghai Cooperation Organization, led by China and Russia, stands out as a notably ambitious and inclusive platform. It serves as a foundation for building a relatively balanced regional order in the long term.
**The Role of Competition**
However, the realities of global competition complicate these cooperative objectives. Many states in Greater Eurasia are deeply woven into the existing global economic framework. While this integration bolsters their development, it also renders them vulnerable to systemic risks, including economic inequalities, the politicization of economic processes, and increasing rivalry for scarce global resources.
This scenario creates a paradox: as countries in Greater Eurasia strive to collaborate, they simultaneously engage in competition within a global system dominated by the West. This tension impacts both small nations and major powers, such as China and India. Thus, the region vividly exemplifies a rivalry between the two models of interstate relations—cooperation within regional frameworks and competition on global stages.
**Challenges to Regional Integration**
Practical cooperation among states in Greater Eurasia is impeded by the lack of a unifying leader or institution. Unlike the West, which functions under U.S. leadership, Greater Eurasia does not have a corresponding central authority. Although China may appear to be a candidate for such a role, it lacks the political will and resources necessary for regional dominance. Furthermore, China’s initiatives are effectively counterbalanced by Russia, India, and smaller nations that pursue autonomous foreign policies.
Consequently, Greater Eurasia cannot establish its regional order around a singular institution or framework with authoritative mandates. However, it is noteworthy that no major country in the region has sacrificed cooperation with neighboring states in favor of extra-regional alliances. India, for instance, maintains its relations with Eurasian neighbors despite strengthening ties with Washington. This is illustrated by how India and China navigate their bilateral relations independently of their global affiliations.
**Peripheral Instabilities**
Recent developments on the fringes of Greater Eurasia, particularly in the Middle East and Southeast Asia, add layers of complexity to the region's evolution. In the Middle East, the shifting balance of power, especially due to Israel’s military and diplomatic pressures on Arab states and Iran—backed by the West—is causing instability that could impact significant regional players and potentially spill into Greater Eurasia.
In Southeast Asia, the diminishing influence of ASEAN and the escalating rivalry between China and the Philippines underscore the growing instability in the region. Similarly, Northeast Asia is experiencing heightened tensions, with Japan and South Korea acting as partners of U.S. influence. These peripheral areas increasingly contribute to destabilization, complicating the internal stabilization efforts of Greater Eurasia, yet they are also interlinked with the region through geography, economic ties, and human networks.
**Looking Ahead**
The challenges facing Greater Eurasia underscore the complexities of pursuing a cohesive regional strategy. Nonetheless, states within the region have thus far managed to navigate these intricacies without relinquishing cooperation. This cautious optimism reflects the resilience of institutions like the SCO and the commitment of Eurasian states to maintaining stability.
As Russia looks toward 2025, it must contemplate how to enhance its influence in Greater Eurasia while addressing the repercussions of global and peripheral instabilities. The future of this expansive region will hinge on its capacity to balance cooperation and competition amid profound global transformations.
Aarav Patel contributed to this report for TROIB News
In Greater Eurasia, we observe a prominent clash between two essential models of interstate relations: cooperation, showcased through regional institutions and platforms, and competition, fueled by a global economy and political landscape still influenced heavily by the West. This dynamic shapes the opportunities and challenges that confront Russia’s policies in this region as we move toward 2025.
In the coming years, the region will strive to balance its inherent desire for collective development with the disruptive consequences of global disintegration processes. Two key factors influence this equilibrium. First, states in Greater Eurasia are dedicated to fulfilling their national development goals. Secondly, the region’s central role in international politics and economics ties its development to overarching global trends.
As the international order progresses toward a state of comparative equilibrium, states in Greater Eurasia will inevitably face challenges and tests. Nonetheless, the long-term impact of this shift could be beneficial, potentially creating an environment where cooperation emerges as the prevailing trend in interstate relations. Despite current difficulties, there is cautious optimism for the future of this region.
**Cooperation in Greater Eurasia**
Cooperation within Greater Eurasia is evident through initiatives and organizations that intentionally resist domination by a single nation or a small coalition of states. Over the past decades, the establishment of such institutions has marked a significant achievement, reflecting a collective commitment to security and stability through collaboration with neighboring countries.
In contrast to other regions of the world, Greater Eurasia does not feature distinct separating lines between economic or military-political blocs. The Shanghai Cooperation Organization, led by China and Russia, stands out as a notably ambitious and inclusive platform. It serves as a foundation for building a relatively balanced regional order in the long term.
**The Role of Competition**
However, the realities of global competition complicate these cooperative objectives. Many states in Greater Eurasia are deeply woven into the existing global economic framework. While this integration bolsters their development, it also renders them vulnerable to systemic risks, including economic inequalities, the politicization of economic processes, and increasing rivalry for scarce global resources.
This scenario creates a paradox: as countries in Greater Eurasia strive to collaborate, they simultaneously engage in competition within a global system dominated by the West. This tension impacts both small nations and major powers, such as China and India. Thus, the region vividly exemplifies a rivalry between the two models of interstate relations—cooperation within regional frameworks and competition on global stages.
**Challenges to Regional Integration**
Practical cooperation among states in Greater Eurasia is impeded by the lack of a unifying leader or institution. Unlike the West, which functions under U.S. leadership, Greater Eurasia does not have a corresponding central authority. Although China may appear to be a candidate for such a role, it lacks the political will and resources necessary for regional dominance. Furthermore, China’s initiatives are effectively counterbalanced by Russia, India, and smaller nations that pursue autonomous foreign policies.
Consequently, Greater Eurasia cannot establish its regional order around a singular institution or framework with authoritative mandates. However, it is noteworthy that no major country in the region has sacrificed cooperation with neighboring states in favor of extra-regional alliances. India, for instance, maintains its relations with Eurasian neighbors despite strengthening ties with Washington. This is illustrated by how India and China navigate their bilateral relations independently of their global affiliations.
**Peripheral Instabilities**
Recent developments on the fringes of Greater Eurasia, particularly in the Middle East and Southeast Asia, add layers of complexity to the region's evolution. In the Middle East, the shifting balance of power, especially due to Israel’s military and diplomatic pressures on Arab states and Iran—backed by the West—is causing instability that could impact significant regional players and potentially spill into Greater Eurasia.
In Southeast Asia, the diminishing influence of ASEAN and the escalating rivalry between China and the Philippines underscore the growing instability in the region. Similarly, Northeast Asia is experiencing heightened tensions, with Japan and South Korea acting as partners of U.S. influence. These peripheral areas increasingly contribute to destabilization, complicating the internal stabilization efforts of Greater Eurasia, yet they are also interlinked with the region through geography, economic ties, and human networks.
**Looking Ahead**
The challenges facing Greater Eurasia underscore the complexities of pursuing a cohesive regional strategy. Nonetheless, states within the region have thus far managed to navigate these intricacies without relinquishing cooperation. This cautious optimism reflects the resilience of institutions like the SCO and the commitment of Eurasian states to maintaining stability.
As Russia looks toward 2025, it must contemplate how to enhance its influence in Greater Eurasia while addressing the repercussions of global and peripheral instabilities. The future of this expansive region will hinge on its capacity to balance cooperation and competition amid profound global transformations.
Aarav Patel contributed to this report for TROIB News
