This book offers a comprehensive overview of international law in the
light of contemporary challenges facing Central Asian States.
The Central Asian States (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan,
Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan) are increasingly gaining in significance as
international players. During the Soviet period, they were only
nominally sovereign States but since 1991, they became full-fledged
members of the international community, and have, ever since, been
constructing their respective schools of international law.
Unresolved border disputes, regional migration, drug trafficking, human
trafficking, disputes over water, the rise of terrorism are just a few
challenges, which require Central Asian States´ cooperation among
themselves, and with other States. The competing interests of especially
China, Russia, the United States, and the European Union in the region
are adding to the complex mosaic of regional dynamics.
This study shows the relevance and utility of international law in
resolving those issues, in the interdisciplinary context of
international relations, international institutions, and sociology of
law. From a pedagogical perspective, the book identifies challenges to
teaching international law in Central Asia, including curricular issues,
independence of higher education institutions, language issues,
influence of various foreign schools of international law doctrine,
etc., and explores ways to integrate the Central Asian schools of
international law in a broader Asian and international picture.
