Influence but not Power (Yet): Decolonial developments in the Caucasus, Central and North Asia
Co-Principal Investigator: Azamat Junisbai, Pitzer College and Erica Marat, National Defense University
Co-Investigators: Erich Steinman, Pitzer College
Years of Award: 2024-2026
Managing Service Agency: Air Force Office of Scientific Research
Project Description:
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine set in motion unprecedented developments in societies with history of Russian rule. Previously marginalized decolonial discussions and practices in the countries formerly under Moscow’s control, non-Slavic parts of modern Russia, and diaspora communities outside Russia spilled into the mainstream. Decolonial perspectives challenging Russian imperial legacy and Russia’s image as a benevolent power are flourishing in academic, activist, business, and political groups. These developments have the potential to profoundly reshape Russia’s influence in societies it has long sought to dominate. Yet, to date, we lack a full understanding of the scope and character of the decolonial changes in the Caucasus, Central and North Asia. How extensive are these developments among the general population? Obtaining a nuanced understanding of this emerging phenomenon is essential for those working to formulate new diplomatic and security approaches to non-Slavic parts of the former USSR, including Russia itself. To obtain a comprehensive view of this emerging reality, we will use a mixed methods approach combining nationally representative surveys with in-depth interviews and focus groups with decolonial activists and academics in Central Asia, Caucasus, and North Asia. Academically, our project will contribute to post-colonial studies, secondary effects of contemporary imperial wars, and IR theorization on transnational power and influence.