Moscow searches for ways to oppose US global domination, writes Mona Khalil While Washington enthusiastically pursues its strategy of global domination, the patience of other world powers seems to be running thin. Since 11 September, the international community has watched United States attempts to establish a new mono-polar world order with its centre in Washington. However, as US influence, skillfully wrapped in "colour revolution" packages, started to spread throughout Eurasia, the main states of the continent began to worry. The Georgian Revolution of Roses in 2003 and the Ukrainian Orange Revolution in 2004 saw American financing and political manouevring succeed in overthrowing existing political regimes, bringing to power young and ambitious Western- oriented leaders. These events were bitter lessons for Russian officials, who perceived the post-Soviet states as a zone of its traditional geopolitical influence. Yet, it was only the beginning: another "colour revolution" in the name of democracy and freedom followed in Kyrgyzstan, resulting in a coup d'etat. The latest attempt to overthrow an existing regime was made in Uzbekistan. However, Uzbek President Islam Karimov, unlike his former colleagues from CIS countries, did not hesitate to use force against the US-backed rebels. As a result, the coup was suppressed and Uzbekistan became the first country to hold "democratisation" at bay. After the events in Uzbekistan, Moscow was no longer alone in expressing concern over US plans to change regimes in sovereign central Asian states. China has made clear it is seriously worried about the destabilisation of the region. July saw an unprecedented session of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) convened, bringing together heads of SCO member states -- China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, who were joined by the leaders of Mongolia, India, Pakistan and Iran -- countries acquiring observer status at the SCO this year. The SCO was set up in 1996 as an organisation to handle regional security issues, uniting countries bordering China. The SCO was later joined by Uzbekistan, making it something larger than just a security organisation of China and bordering states. Economic cooperation today is becoming a significant part of SCO's activity. The SCO summit held in the Kazakh capital, Astana, clearly demonstrated that it was the most powerful Eurasian organisation. According to Kazakhstan's president, Nursultan Nazarbayev, state leaders who gathered at the SCO session represented half the world's population. It also became clear that the SCO is steadily turning into a means of opposing US domination in the region. The SCO final declaration directly targeted Washington, requesting the end of the use of Kyrgyz and Uzbek military bases from which to launch "anti-terror" operations into Afghanistan. This was no less than a clear demand for the US to leave the region. The most radical comments were voiced by Uzbek President Islam Karimov. Until recently, his country was considered Washington's main ally in the region, but after June revolts in the Uzbek city of Andijan sought to overthrow Karimov, his attitude towards American strategy drastically changed. "The events, which took place in the region not long ago are only a partial manifestation of a big strategic plan. Its final aim is to change political and economic forces in its favour, and domination in central Asia," Karimov stressed. In response, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice insisted that US troops were still needed in central Asia: "There is still a fight going on in Afghanistan. The US and others are training Afghan forces. The Afghan army is coming along. Its numbers are coming along. Its capability is coming along. We're training them in counter-terrorism matters," Rice said. "But there are still a lot of terrorist activities in Afghanistan. It is our understanding that the people of Afghanistan want and need the help of US armed forces," she stressed. Last month, leaders of the two Eurasian giants -- China and Russia -- conducted meetings in Moscow which resulted in bilateral agreements in different fields. Yet, the most symbolic document signed by Putin and Jintao, titled Declaration of the 21st Century stated that the countries of the world should strictly observe the principles of mutual respect for each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non- aggression, non-interference in each other's internal affairs, equality, mutual benefit, and peaceful co- existence. "Differences and disputes must be settled peacefully without the adoption of unilateral action and coercive policy and without resort to the threat of force or the use of force. The peoples of all countries should be allowed to decide the affairs of their own countries, and world affairs should be decided through dialogue and consultation on a multilateral and collective basis. The international community should thoroughly renounce the mentality of confrontation and alignment, should not pursue the right to monopolise or dominate world affairs, and should not divide countries into a leading camp and a subordinate camp," the declaration read. The main addressee of the declaration appeared to be the US. The path of Russian foreign policy after the collapse of the USSR has not been easy. Under Russia's former president, Boris Yeltsin, the country's Foreign Ministry had only one orientation -- towards the US. Vladimir Putin seriously revised the country's foreign policy by being more pragmatic and by diversifying Russian geopolitical orientations. In his first presidential term, Putin did his utmost to consolidate former Soviet republics around Russia, perhaps trying to restore greatness to the former empire, but in a new shape. Serious consideration is also being given to the possibility of creating strategic partnership with China and India. It was the prominent Russian politician, former prime minister Yevgeni Primakov, who originally voiced the idea of creating a multi- polar world and building a strategic triangle alliance between Moscow- Delhi-Beijing. At the same time, Russian foreign policy is seeking to establish trustworthy relations with Latin American countries. The Western hemisphere has traditionally been considered a zone of US geopolitical influence, with no other country attempting to access it. Recently, President Putin became the first Russian leader to pay an official visit to Chile and Brazil. Leaders of major Latin American countries, including the presidents of Mexico and Venezuela, have visited Moscow to promote cooperation with Russia. Russian-Arab relations are also improving. Russia recently acquired the status of observer at the Organisation of Islamic Conference, an event that will bring Russia, with its 20 million Muslims, closer to other Islamic nations. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that being a great Eurasian power, located at the crossroads of the Christian and Muslim worlds, could allow Russia to significantly contribute to cooperation, the development of a practical partnership, and dialogue between civilisations.
