【明報文章】The geographic area stretching from the Black Sea to Central Asia has now emerged as a vital geopolitical space where much of the new world order is being shaped. Both Central Asia and South Caucasus have now turned into an increasingly congested geopolitical space where the US, European Union (EU), India, Japan, Iran, Turkey, Russia, China, and the Gulf States are vying for influence in one way or another. Some of these actors are more prominent in projecting their influence because of geographic proximity and actual military and economic potential, others are less powerful but nevertheless ambitious enough to have a say in regional matters. Yet the overall trend is about growing geopolitical competition in the heart of Eurasia for trade routes, soft power and ultimately the ability to shape the future world order.