Get 20M+ Full-Text Papers For Less Than $1.50/day. Start a 14-Day Trial for You or Your Team.

Learn More →

The Istanbul Process: prospects for regional connectivity in the heart of Asia

The Istanbul Process: prospects for regional connectivity in the heart of Asia In 2014, Afghanistan will confront profoundly significant challenges: international troops will withdraw and a pivotal presidential election is scheduled in April. In anticipation, the USA has outlined the ‘New Silk Road’ vision, as part of an attempt to move away from military solutions towards a notion of regional connectivity in South Central Asia. This vision has been the target of extensive criticisms, especially in terms of a perceived gap between rhetoric and reality, yet it is striking that a major segment of the region has begun to take ownership and move in new directions. A key manifestation of this shift is ‘The Istanbul Process on Regional Security for a Secure and Stable Afghanistan’ (IP) launched in 2011. This article evaluates what has been achieved thus far and the obstacles which may undermine a full realisation of the process. The IP’s focus is on ‘connectivity’, engaging the landlocked nation of Afghanistan and safeguarding it from the isolation which fomented extremism and conflict in the past. Expanded connections must also take account of divisions between participating nations, the potency of the insurgency, the weaknesses of the Afghan state and issues without direct linkage with Afghanistan such as the ongoing conflict in Syria. If the process enjoys even a modicum of success, further regional crises might be averted, and new opportunities for sustainable development will be uncovered. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Asia Europe Journal Springer Journals

The Istanbul Process: prospects for regional connectivity in the heart of Asia

Quie, Marissa
Asia Europe Journal , Volume 12 (3) – Apr 13, 2014
Download PDF
16 pages

Loading next page...
 
/lp/springer-journals/the-istanbul-process-prospects-for-regional-connectivity-in-the-heart-rKI0g3RXmG
Publisher
Springer Journals
Copyright
Copyright © 2014 by The Author(s)
Subject
Social Sciences, general; Social Sciences, general; International Economics
ISSN
1610-2932
eISSN
1612-1031
DOI
10.1007/s10308-014-0385-7
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

In 2014, Afghanistan will confront profoundly significant challenges: international troops will withdraw and a pivotal presidential election is scheduled in April. In anticipation, the USA has outlined the ‘New Silk Road’ vision, as part of an attempt to move away from military solutions towards a notion of regional connectivity in South Central Asia. This vision has been the target of extensive criticisms, especially in terms of a perceived gap between rhetoric and reality, yet it is striking that a major segment of the region has begun to take ownership and move in new directions. A key manifestation of this shift is ‘The Istanbul Process on Regional Security for a Secure and Stable Afghanistan’ (IP) launched in 2011. This article evaluates what has been achieved thus far and the obstacles which may undermine a full realisation of the process. The IP’s focus is on ‘connectivity’, engaging the landlocked nation of Afghanistan and safeguarding it from the isolation which fomented extremism and conflict in the past. Expanded connections must also take account of divisions between participating nations, the potency of the insurgency, the weaknesses of the Afghan state and issues without direct linkage with Afghanistan such as the ongoing conflict in Syria. If the process enjoys even a modicum of success, further regional crises might be averted, and new opportunities for sustainable development will be uncovered.

Journal

Asia Europe Journal – Springer Journals

Published: Apr 13, 2014

References

  • Security communities
  • Securitization theory: how security problems emerge and dissolve
    Balzacq, T
  • The Bottom billion
    Collier, P
  • Great games, local rules: the new great power contest in Central Asia
    Cooley, A
  • The little mermaid's silent security dilemma and the absence of gender in the Copenhagen School
    Hansen, L
  • Caught in the middle? Regional perspectives on Afghanistan
    Harpviken, KB
  • Building security in the new states of Eurasia: subregional cooperation in the former Soviet Space
    Herzig, E
  • Post-soviet political order, conflict and state-building
    Rubin, BR
  • Is a regional strategy viable for Afghanistan?