The article explores the concept of “Post-Soviet East” in the context of geopolitical and economic transformations in the post-Soviet space. The dynamics of integration processes in the states of Central Asia and South Caucasus, as well as their growing rapprochement with the eastern centres of power, such as China, India and Turkey, are considered. Particular attention is paid to the differences in the development of the western and eastern parts of the post-Soviet space, where the former has lost the potential of an inter-country micro-subsystem, while the latter retains strong ties with Russia. It is concluded that the formation of the “Post-Soviet East” is not only an objective historical process, but also a strategically important direction of Russian policy aimed at creating a friendly micro-subsystem of international relations.
Post-Soviet East, Middle East, East-West dichotomy, West, Central Asia, South Caucasus, Transcaucasia.