The role and importance of Central Asia in national security of Russia

ABSTRACT Along with the changing world, there have been changes in the security perceptions of the countries. Thus, the military part of security has been expanded by adding meanings such as national security, environmental security and economic security. The Soviet Union, as the leader of eastern block in cold war, was able to influence the international security system. After the end of the bipolar world, as the heir of the USSR, the Russian Federation became the most affected by the developments in national security perceptions. Central Asia, at the heart of strategic competition and global conflict, is one of the most critical links in Russia's national security strategy. This study contains the documents which have affected Russia's national security formation altered by the effects of global and regional dynamics, from 1991 to this day. In addition, Russia's security politics and relations regarding Central Asia are issued based on the transformation of national security understanding. Keywords: Russia, Central Asia, Security, National Security, Putin