Absorb and Conquer

Book excerpt: In recent years Russia and China have both embarked on ambitious projects to integrate the Eurasian landmass. Russia has established the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) in hopes of creating a Russian-dominated geopolitical bloc. In a very different approach, China has promoted the “One Belt, One Road” (OBOR, or New Silk Road) initiative that aims to use Chinese financial power to physically and economically integrate Eurasia, with China at its core. The two initiatives differ greatly and even clash in many respects, but they share one important trait: both prompt European policymakers to think more strategically about issues and territories outside their usual scope.