Russia's Inevitable Customs Union in Central Asia

Kyrgyzstan has officially applied to become the next member of the Russian-led Customs Union, an institution designed to entrench Russia's economic and political influence in its former Soviet territory. Although joining the union will harm the Kyrgyz economy in many respects, not joining could motivate Russia to use any of the several levers it has in Kyrgyzstan. Other Central Asian countries are watching Kyrgyzstan carefully, since its membership in the Customs Union likely will lead to their eventual membership.