BRI in the Middle East and Central Asia The case of Kazakhstan, Iran, and Turkey

This chapter studies the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in three selected countries in the Middle East and Central Asia (MECA), namely Kazakhstan, Iran, and Turkey (KIT). These three countries should be considered as laboratories for the BRI at the regional level. Each of them has a substantial population and/or considerable territory. Iran and Kazakhstan belong to the world’s key hydrocarbon-rich countries. Turkey and Iran have relatively diversified industries and are militarily active beyond their state borders. The diverse societies and economies as well as the external relations of Kazakhstan, Iran, and Turkey (among other countries involved in the BRI) have forced China to establish a regional network for cooperation on the BRI.