As Russia and China become increasingly active in Central Asia, one country in particular could serve as a bellwether for their evolving dynamics: Kyrgyzstan. The small but strategically located country has been a focus of significant security and economic attention for both regional heavyweights. And while Moscow and Beijing have incentive to cooperate in Kyrgyzstan, given their shared economic opportunities and the growing instability in the region, their competing interests could lead to a more contentious relationship in the future. Securing Kyrgyzstan In recent weeks, both Russia and China have stepped up their security relationships with Kyrgyzstan. On June 22, Vladimir Shamanov, the head of the Russian State Duma's Defense and Security Committee, announced that Russia was in talks with Kyrgyzstan (as well as with Kazakhstan) to send troops to Syria as part of a peacekeeping force.