CHALLENGES OF THE SILK ROAD – YESTERDAY AND TODAY

Rainer Feldbacher

ABSTRACT

Today more than ever, the Silk Road is the political and economic main focus, arousing hopes on the one hand, and distrust on the other, especially against the People’s Republic of China, which officially revived the Silk Road and made it one of the leading topics and goals in recent years. Its leadership wins countries around the world interested in integration, from South and Southeast Asia over Central Asia to the western end of the Eurasian continent – Europe. The resuscitation, primarily taken up by Asian countries, is currently overshadowed by COVID-19, adding to further tension between “East” and “West”, moreover now by the Ukraine conflict and general inflation. As part of the reconstruction – not least in relation to the renewal of the largest trade network as well as the recovery of the respective markets after the pandemic-related crisis that has already lasted almost two years – an intensification of the relations with states involved along the Silk Road is an option. Examples are given (Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Turkey) where conflicts have intensified in the course of the expansion of international relations, be it by the Silk Road or the European Union. Ultimately, however, the opportunities due to globalization will be highlighted as well.

Keywords: Silk Road, world economy, colonialism, Great Game, resources, economic corridor, conflict

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