For Russia, Central Asia (CA) is a strategic region. And not only because it affects the stability and security of its southern borders. The economic potential of Central Asia, its rich mineral resources and labor resources are also of great importance for the Russian Federation. Finally, we should not ignore the fact that for many decades we have lived in the same state. First in Russia, then in the Soviet Union.

The monograph by G. I. Chufrin, Doctor of Economics, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Almaty, 2010) is devoted to the most important problems of the development of relations between Russia and the Central Asian countries in the period after the collapse of the USSR. The author identifies three major blocks of questions.

The section dealing with regional security issues examines modern non-traditional security threats such as religious extremism, terrorism, drug trafficking, and illegal migration. There is no doubt that the main reason for the emergence of these threats is the socio-economic instability in the countries of the region, the high poverty threshold and the critical level of social stratification of the population. The author also highlights another very important problem that threatens the stability of Central Asia - permanent disagreements between the states of the region.

Speaking about the fight against these threats, G. A. Chufrin pays special attention to the fight against terrorism and drug trafficking. It is in these two areas that very serious work is being done not only by the Central Asian countries themselves, but also in the framework of their bilateral and multilateral cooperation with regional and global centers of influence - Russia, the United States, China, and NATO member countries.

Pointing out that this cooperation is closely intertwined with the rivalry and confrontation of interests of the largest actors in the region, G. I. Chufrin examines in detail the American and Russian military-political and strategic interests in Central Asia, as well as the measures taken by these countries to strengthen their positions. The article analyzes Washington's plans to deploy its own mobile forces in the region, establish control over the military contingents of the Caspian and Central Asian states, and provide various military and military-technical assistance. At the same time, it is quite natural to conclude that if these plans were implemented, "Russia's national interests in the sphere of regional and global security would be difficult to repair due to the inevitable loss of Moscow's influence in Central Asia" (p.35).

One of the main instruments of Russian policy in the region is the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). Speaking about the goals and tasks that this organization sets for itself, the author believes that its further evolution will be influenced not only by external factors, but also by internal ones, "caused by the continuing contradictions between the CSTO members themselves" (p. 46).

It is emphasized that, despite all the differences between Russia and the United States in assessing the desirable prospects for the development of the situation in post-Soviet Central Asia, these countries cannot but cooperate on security issues. First of all, this is due to the situation in Afghanistan and possible destabilization in the entire region. It is rightly noted that under the influence of endogenous and exogenous factors in the current international political situation and the existence of crisis phenomena in the global economy that affect the strategic interests of both countries, conditions may appear for activating Russian-American cooperation, although limited in scope.

The second set of questions is devoted to economic cooperation between Russia and the Central Asian states. The author speaks about two trends in trade and financial cooperation with the region: a significant increase in trade turnover in 2000-2008 and its faster growth rates compared to other CIS countries.

Bilateral cooperation remains the main form of economic cooperation between Russia and Central Asian countries. As for multilateral cooperation, it has been stalling for almost twenty years. And this is despite the fact that the implementation of most major projects - infrastructure, hydropower and others-is possible only on a multilateral basis. The monograph attempts to analyze this state of affairs on the example of the activity of the European Union.-

the Eurasian Economic Community (EurAsEC) and the Customs Union of Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus that is being created on its basis.

The paper addresses such an important issue for all countries as the regulation of migration flows from Central Asia to Russia. According to G. A. Chufrin, the long-term economic interests of Russia "do not meet the massive reduction in the number of labor migrants from Central Asian countries." In addition, the mass return of labor migrants to their homeland can lead to a destabilization of the socio-political situation in these countries, which will seriously affect both Russian political and security interests. Finally, "how the problems of labor migration from the Central Asian republics will be solved and what role Russia will play in this will significantly depend on its authority and influence in the Central Asian region" (p. 92).

The water management problem in the region has become one of the most complex, periodically causing serious tension in interstate relations. Water use problems cannot be solved independently by any Central Asian state. Moreover, such actions can lead to the destabilization of the entire region. Russia can really help these states to overcome their differences on water issues. The monograph offers suggestions for overcoming this crisis by providing them with financial and technical assistance in the transition to resource conservation.

Considering the issues of cooperation in the field of transport and communications, the author focuses on the analysis of pipeline infrastructure and current trends in its diversification towards Asian countries-China, Iran and through Azerbaijan to Europe.

Of particular interest is the chapter devoted to Russian-Kazakh economic cooperation. It contains extensive material on bilateral economic cooperation between our countries in all major areas: financial, banking and investment, scientific and technical, mutual trade, nuclear energy, fuel and energy complex, and agriculture.

The third set of questions is an analysis of cooperation between Russia and Central Asian countries within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). It is in this part of the monograph that the growing Chinese influence in Central Asia is considered in sufficient detail. In fact, we are talking about the overlapping national interests of Russia and China in the region.

Cooperation within this organization is most effectively developing in security issues, since the interests of all countries in the region coincide here: maintaining stability in Afghanistan, fighting extremism and drug trafficking. The two countries managed to create an international legal framework for cooperation in the fight against terrorism and to start conducting military exercises of an anti-terrorist nature. At the same time, the Central Asian members of the SCO are ambivalent about the strengthening of the military component of the organization initiated by Russia. This is due to their desire to " maintain maximum freedom of maneuver in ensuring their national security." In this regard, the Central Asian countries are supported by China (p. 166).

At the same time, all SCO members support Russia's position on combating terrorism, drug trafficking and cross-border crime, as well as the need to maintain dialogue and close cooperation with other interested international associations and States.

Cooperation in the economic sphere is developing much more slowly and more difficult within the organization. The monograph expresses the opinion that timely and successful implementation of at least the already agreed program of multilateral trade and economic cooperation would have a positive impact on the state of the economy of all SCO member states.

I would like to focus on the following conclusions presented by G. I. Chufrin about the possibilities of developing economic cooperation within the Organization. First, despite the existing difficulties, the SCO has a truly unique potential for multilateral cooperation in a number of areas. These include energy, transport, a number of industries, and the agricultural sector.

Secondly, there is a need to urgently address issues related to the nature of relations between the SCO and the EurAsEC. Their unresolved nature has a certain impact on Russia's relations with the countries of the region and their relations with China.

Third, there is a need to correct Russia's position on multilateral projects, taking into account the sharp increase in China's external financial activity during the global crisis.

And, finally, fourth, cooperation within the SCO should be such that it contributes not only to the overall acceleration of the economic growth rates of the organization's members and structural transformations of national economies, but also to the implementation of joint large-scale programs.

In fact, G. I. Chufrin in his monograph covered the entire spectrum of problems existing in relations between Russia and the Central Asian countries. All of them are extremely relevant not only for our countries, but also for other states that have serious political, strategic and economic interests in the region. One of the advantages of the monograph is that it discusses, among other things, possible solutions to them.

E. M. KUZMINA, Candidate of Political Sciences

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