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Systematical Field Survey in South Uzbekistan
Tušlová, Petra ; Stančo, Ladislav (advisor) ; Mařík, Jan (referee)
The following thesis summarizes two years investigation conducted in Sherabad District in South Uzbekistan. The research was focused on systematic field survey in immediate vicinity of tepas, artificial mounds created by centuries of a human inhabitation. Five different areas were examined in order to follow the settlement extant and chronology. The work was conducted by using satellite imageries in combination with topographical maps. The information collected on the fields were marked in PDA running GIS application and evaluated in computer. The results of the field prospection were verified by using complementary methods of the test pits and of the total pickups. Key words: Central Asia, South Uzbekistan, Sherabad District, topographical maps, satellite imagery, systematic field survey, test pits, total pickups, GIS application.
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Role of selected regional IGO in Russian foreign policy towards Central Asia countries.
Rejzková, Lenka ; Romancov, Michael (advisor) ; Kučerová, Irah (referee)
Bacalor thesis bearing a name "Role of selected regional international organizations in foreign policy of Russian federation towards states of Central Asia" explores position of Russian federation in post-Soviet area, namely in Central Asia. Thesis focuses on Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), Eurasian Economic Community (EurAsEC) and Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), three selected international organizations founded during Vladimir Putin's first presidential term. Shanghai Cooperation Organisation institucionalized chinese interest in the region. American deployment in Afghanistan was an impuls which brought Central Asia to USA's attention. There are also other actors interested in collaboration with states of Central Asia. This bacalor thesis is comparation analyzing impact of SCO, EurAsEC and CSTO on position of Russia in Central Asia. Thesis evaluates their paralel existence since their foundation till termination of EurAsEC in 2014. Comparative analysis is followed by evaluation of Russian position and aspects which limit its influence.
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Geopolitical orientation of foreign policy Turkey : possibilities and perspectives
Dimelis, Konstantinos ; Barša, Pavel (advisor) ; Slačálek, Ondřej (referee)
1 Abstract The aim of this thesis is to analyze the contemporary Turkish foreign policy and to determine whether it is becoming increasingly distant from the West. To answer this question, the thesis maps and analyzes the Turkish international relations with the three main geopolitical regions of the Turkish foreign policy direction: the European Union, central Asia and the Muslim world, especially the Middle East. The direction of the Turkish foreign policy is also illustrated by the empiric part of the thesis - a quantitative event data analysis of the second half of 2012. The analysis leads to the conclusions that negotiations for accession to the European Union gives the impression that Turkey is not being invited. In central Asia Turkey promotes itself in the economic and culture areas only. The contemporary Turkish foreign policy, when Turkey increasingly identifies itself with an Islamic identity, is becoming more independent and its main focus is on the Middle East region. Turkey's ambition is to represent the whole Muslim world. Despite this fact, it cannot be said that Turkey is completely breaking away from the West. On the contrary, Turkey is now closer to the West, facing the increasing influence of Iran.
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Chinese Economic Statecraft in Central Asia: the Case of Kyrgyzstan
Michalová, Anežka ; Horák, Slavomír (advisor) ; Šír, Jan (referee)
This work delves into the modalities of Chinese economic incentives and their reception in Kyrgyzstan. After tracing the rise of China as the main economic power in Central Asia since 2000, it uses Blanchard's and Ripsman's theory of economic statecraft to evaluate Kyrgyzstan's level of stateness and its susceptibility to economic inducements during president Atambayev's era. The objective is to address the issue of economic statecraft from the perspective of the target state and explain why Kyrgyzstan's co-operation with China has been less successful than in the case of other Central Asian countries. Kyrgyzstan's overall level of stateness was low but it did not result in compliance with Chinese demands. Instead, the low level of stateness prevented the government from overcoming domestic resistance to Chinese projects and implementing compliant behavior. Developmental aid and investment designed to favor the expansion of Chinese enterprises failed to gain the support of public opinion and contributed to the rise of anti-Chinese sentiment due to their involvement in corruption affairs and public scandals. Russia as a third-party actor represented an alternative for Kyrgyz policymakers and might have supported the resistance to Chinese endeavors.
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Chinese development assistance in Central Asia
Mlíková, Anna ; Ficek, František (advisor) ; Horálek, Adam (referee)
This bachelor thesis examines Chinese development assistance in Central Asia, specifically in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan. Over the past few years China has become the largest donor in the region, which contributes to China's growing influence. This thesis sets out to explain political motives of Chinese development assistance and analyse Chinese projects in the countries. In this thesis I explain the traditional concepts of development aid and the Chinese alternative, I also describe the development of foreign relations of the People's Republic of China with the countries of Central Asia, and Chinese activities and interests in the region. In my own analysis, I examine the allocation of Chinese development assistance by sector, and total amount of funding distributed according to traditional and Chinese definitions of development cooperation. The main result of this thesis is that the provision of Chinese development assistance in the region is determined primarily by China's own strategic and political interests, rather than altruistic interest in economic growth and improvement of living conditions in the countries of interest. Key words: development assistance, China, Central Asia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, political influence, Belt and Road Initiative
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Presidential Clans in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan: status and development
Jordanová, Anna ; Horák, Slavomír (advisor) ; Šír, Jan (referee)
The thesis deals with the topic of the development of presidential political clans in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. It covers the entire rule of the first two presidents (Nursultan Nazarbayev and Islam Karimov) from their ascension to their posts shortly after the dissolution of the Soviet Union and declarations of independence of both states, and also the current rule of their respective successors (Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Shavkat Mirziyoyev). It predominantly focuses on the power and social status of their closest relatives in these clan- based structures. Special attention was paid to their potential roles in state affairs after the resignation (or death) of their patrons.
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Bandwagoning with the Belt and Road: Russia's changing attitude towards the Chinese presence in Central Asia post-Crimea
Bill, Simon ; Šír, Jan (advisor) ; Horák, Slavomír (referee) ; Duncan, Peter John Stuart (referee)
BILL, Simon. Bandwagoning with the Belt and Road: Russia's changing attitude towards the Chinese presence in Central Asia post-Crimea. Praha, 2019. 78 pages. Master's thesis (Mgr.). Charles University, Faculty of Social Sciences, Institute of International Studies. Department of Russian and East European Studies. Supervisor Prof. Jan Šír, Ph.D. Abstract Since the fall of the Soviet Union, Russia has considered the Central Asian states to be a part of its exclusive sphere of influence. In recent years, however, China has also increased its presence in the region, investing heavily in the energy and transportation sectors. This is exemplified by its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), specifically its Silk Road Economic Belt (SREB) component, which was launched in September 2013. As China increased its presence in the region, and Russia launched its own initiative, the Eurasian Economic Union (EaEU), the two powers seemed to be on a collision course. However, relations between the two never deteriorated as predicted. Instead, the opposite has happened. In 2015, Russia found itself internationally isolated due to its controversial actions in Ukraine and embraced China's initiative. This dissertation will seek to explain Russia's increasingly accommodating attitude towards China's growing investment and influence...
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Transformations of the Central Asian Regional Energy Security Complex after 1991: The Case of the Turkmenistan - China Gas Pipeline
Lídl, Václav ; Šír, Jan (advisor) ; Kaczmarski, Marcin (referee) ; Tichý, Lukáš (referee)
The presented doctoral thesis analyses energy security in the Central Asia region, with an emphasis on the natural gas sector. The research sought to answer the question of whether individual state actors in Central Asia are more inclined towards a strategic-oriented or market-oriented approach to energy policy in the formulation of their respective energy policy. Answering this research question aimed at better understanding the approach of individual state actors to large infrastructure projects, such as the construction of the Central Asia-China Gas Pipeline. A regional energy security complex of Central Asia was constructed for work purposes. In addition to the five Central Asian states, it also includes Russia and China as two major natural gas importers from the region. Based on theoretical literature, a model for assessing the natural gas sector in terms of the formulation of energy policy by individual state actors was developed. This model was subsequently applied to three case studies of key state actors within the Central Asian regional energy security complex. These are case studies on Turkmenistan, Russia and China. Applying the model's criteria to individual cases, the research concluded that for all three players in the Central Asian regional energy security complex, a...
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Personalism Theory in Foreign Policy. Case of Turkmenistan relations towards Afghanistan under the president Berdimuhamedow
Čechová, Diana ; Horák, Slavomír (advisor) ; Šír, Jan (referee)
This work focuses on the adaptation of personalism to foreign policy, which is analysed on a case study of foreign policy of Turkmenistan towards Afghanistan under president Berdimuhamedow's rule. The adaptation is based on the deduction from the basic attributes of personalism, which were obtained through the synthesis of the theories of neopatrimonialism, personalism and patronal presidentialism. The main characteristic of foreign policy of personalist regimes is the leader's undivided power over it, which can be observed on the fact that foreign policy follows and supports the leader's internal policies and goals. The adaptation of personalism to foreign policy making and these characteristics are confirmed by Turkmenistan's foreign policy towards Afghanistan, in which Berdimuhamedow plays a key role. The main foreign policy objective in the political sphere is to maintain friendly relations with both the Afghan government and the Taliban to avoid potential spill over of the Afghan conflict into Turkmenistan, which could undermine Berdimuhamedow's power and patron- client network. The foreign trade policy aims to diversify the Turkmen exports, to loosen dependency on traditional partners and raise money to sustain the regime and president's client network. Concerning the security issues, there...
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Central Asian Foreign Fighters in Syria
Nováková, Sabina ; Bureš, Oldřich (advisor) ; Záhora, Jakub (referee)
This thesis deals with the phenomenon of Central Asian foreign fighters in Syria, 2011- 2017. It analyzes their radicalization, recruitment, and travel patterns. Special emphasis is placed on tracking the home states' responses, including elements of de-radicalization and counter-radicalization. The thesis has found that there is arguably no single factor explaining the Central Asian fighters' radicalization; nor is there a typical profile of a Central Asian fighter. Available data suggest that radicalization and extremist recruitment most often occur in Russia. Furthermore, the analysis of travel patterns has shown that the majority of Central Asian fighters traveled to Syria either indirectly via multiple countries (again, most often Russia) or directly from their country of origin, and then crossed the border from Turkey. The thesis concludes that all five Central Asian states have adopted policies to address the perceived security threat of returning foreign fighters, whereas the hard, restrictive and punitive approach has been prevalent all across the region.
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