The ‘Great Game’ in the South Caucasus and Central Asia. An Expert Discussion

Valdai Discussion Club Conference Hall, Tsvetnoy Boulevard 16/1, Moscow, Russia

On March 26, the Valdai Club hosted an expert discussion titled “Ghosts of the ’Great Game’: Could the South Caucasus and Central Asia Become a Space for Great Power Rivalry?” How do events in the Middle East affect the states of the South Caucasus and Central Asia? What internal development challenges do they face today? What is the potential for internal conflicts and international cooperation in the region?

Materials

Club events

Polycentricity and Diversity

The New Dynamics of the ‘Great Game’ in Central Asia and the South Caucasus

On 26 March, a discussion entitled “Ghosts of the ‘Great Game’: Could the South Caucasus and Central Asia Become a Space for Great Power Rivalry?” was held at the Moscow venue of the Valdai Discussion Club. The session was moderated by Anton Bespalov, Programme Director of the Valdai Club.

26.03.2026

Opinions

Eurasian Perspective

Eurasia’s Ghosts of the Great Game

Timofei Bordachev, Programme Director of the Valdai Discussion Club, dispels myths of great power rivalry in Central Asia, highlighting that sober, coequal engagement with the region will do Russia more good than a competition-centric approach ever could. Despite the fears, worries, and rhetoric, a new Great Game is not in sight.

Timofei Bordachev

25.03.2026

Announcements

Polycentricity and Diversity

Valdai Club to Discuss the ‘Great Game’ in the South Caucasus and Central Asia

On March 26 at 11:00 Moscow Time (GMT+3), the Valdai Club will host an expert discussion titled “Ghosts of the ’Great Game’: Could the South Caucasus and Central Asia Become a Space for Great Power Rivalry?”

24.03.2026

Photo

Photo Gallery: Ghosts of the ’Great Game’: Could the South Caucasus and Central Asia Become a Space for Great Power Rivalry? An Expert Discussion

26.03.2026

Video

Ghosts of the ’Great Game’: Could the South Caucasus and Central Asia Become a Space for Great Power Rivalry? An Expert Discussion

26.03.2026

Add to blog

Add to blog.

Copy code:

                                <div style="background:#fff; padding:15px 15px; border:1px solid #D3D3D3;"><div style="float:left; width:140px;"><a href="https://valdaiclub.com" style="display:block; margin-bottom:10px;"><img style="width: 140px;" alt="Valdai Club" src="https://valdaiclub.com/local/templates/valdaiclub-18/img/logo-small-en.gif"></a><a style="display:block;" href="https://valdaiclub.com/events/own/the-great-game-in-south-caucasus-and-central-asia/"><img style="width: 140px;" src="https://valdaiclub.com/upload/resize_cache/iblock/bbd/295_185_2/i1wkg2mx49fbjkw8y79x90efq7j00urp.jpg" alt="The ‘Great Game’ in the South Caucasus and Central Asia. An Expert Discussion" title="The ‘Great Game’ in the South Caucasus and Central Asia. An Expert Discussion"></a><div style="font:normal 14px Helvetica; margin:5px 0;">24.03.2026</div></div><div style="margin-left:160px;font:bold 16px Helvetica;"><a href="https://valdaiclub.com/events/own/the-great-game-in-south-caucasus-and-central-asia/" target="_blank" style="display:block; text-decoration:none; padding:3px 0;"><span style="color:#000; font:bold 16px Helvetica;">The ‘Great Game’ in the South Caucasus and Central Asia. An Expert Discussion</span></a><div style="color:#1caadb;font:bold 14px Helvetica;margin-bottom: 5px;"></div><a href="https://valdaiclub.com/events/own/the-great-game-in-south-caucasus-and-central-asia/" style="text-decoration:none;color:#000; font:normal 14px Helvetica; padding:5px 0;">On March 26, the Valdai Club hosted an expert discussion titled “Ghosts of the ’Great Game’: Could the South Caucasus and Central Asia Become a Space for Great Power Rivalry?”</a></div> <div style="clear:both;"></div></div>

Preview:

24.03.2026

The ‘Great Game’ in the South Caucasus and Central Asia. An Expert Discussion

On March 26, the Valdai Club hosted an expert discussion titled “Ghosts of the ’Great Game’: Could the South Caucasus and Central Asia Become a Space for Great Power Rivalry?”