The eagle, the bear, and the yurt evaluating Kyrgyzstan's foreign policy behavior with the United States and Russia in the post-9/11 security environment

• Main Author: Bernard, Andrew T.
• Other Authors: Clunan, Anne L.
• Format: Others
• Published: Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School 2012
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10945/2185

The U.S.-led War on Terrorism necessitated engagement strategies with several small states. The policy motivations of small states, however, are often overlooked. Kyrgyzstan is an interesting case as it offered an airbase for the U.S.-led campaign in Afghanistan, but also offered a similar arrangement to Russia. Thus, the motivation of the small state, Kyrgyzstan, is being evaluated in its engagement with two larger powers. This thesis argues that small state motivation revolves around how the state perceives the world it lives in. If the small state perceives a realist world, its behavior is commensurate with the capacity of small states in realist worlds. This leads to bandwagon behavior with larger powers, or balancing with larger powers against internal threats. If the small state views a complex interdependent world, then it uses what power it does have, like offering access to airbases, to leverage other benefits. Insight into small state perceptions allows U.S. policy makers to make realistic goals when formulating strategies with smaller countries. The data suggests Kyrgyzstan perceives itself to be in a moderate realist world, pursing policies to solidify its relationship with Russia while opportunistically reaping any short-term benefits from the United States.