In China, old history is often called to aid new doctrine.



At the same time, the interests of the two potential builders of Eurasia, China and Russia seem to have converged.



China's motive for reviving Pax Mongolica is clear.



Secular stagnation threatens the West, accompanied by rising protectionism. Although Chinese leaders know that they must rebalance the economy from investment and exports to consumption, doing so risks causing serious domestic problems for the ruling Communist party.



Russia, too, has an economic motive for developing Eurasia.



China offers a secure and expanding market for its energy exports.



It is a singular success for Western statesmanship to have brought two old rivals for power and influence in Central Asia to the point of jointly seeking to exclude the West from the region's future development.

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