Introduction
Uzbekistan, located at the heart of Central Asia, has witnessed significant shifts in its foreign policy over the years. As an independent nation since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Uzbekistan has navigated a multifaceted international arena, aiming to safeguard its national interests while balancing the interests of various global and regional actors. This article delves into the actors and factors, constants and variables influencing Uzbekistan's foreign policy decisions, with a focus on historical, geopolitical, economic, and cultural determinants.
We propose the hybrid methodology of realism and liberalism, which are generally taken as separate and autonomous schools of thought. Based on the analysis of numerous factors, actors, constants, and variables of foreign policy, we assume that the IR theory can be further developed, taking into account the experience of the Central Asian country, which is a relative newcomer in the system of world politics.
