Scholar to Discuss Power Struggle Over Central Asia In Peters

On Thursday, Oct. 4 at 7 p.m., the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh and the Peters Township Public Library will welcome Dr. Alexander Cooley, one of America's most respected international relations scholars.

In his new book, Great Games, Local Rules: The New Great Power Contest in Central Asia, Cooley explores the dynamics of the new competition for control of the region since 9/11.

All three great powers have crafted strategies to increase their power in the area, which includes Afghanistan and the former Soviet republics of Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan.

Each nation is pursuing important goals: shipping materials/equipment rights for the U.S., access to natural resources for the Chinese and increased political influence for the Russians.

This struggle for power and influence in Central Asia reflects a new multi-polar order. With three of the world’s largest superpowers competing for influence, how will Central Asia come to define geopolitics in the 21st century?

Register in advance to attend this free program by emailing programs@ptlibrary.org, at the library circulation desk or call 724.941.9430.

Cooley is a professor of political science at Barnard College and an adjunct professor of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University.

He is also a Ph.D. advisor in Columbia University’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. Cooley has authored several books and he has published policy-related articles in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, International Herald Tribune, Foreign Affairs and Washington Quarterly.

Most recently, he has published an opinion piece in the New York Times.

The McMurray Veterans Foreign Wars Post 764 generously provides support for the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh International Program Series at the library.

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