The Security Role of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization 1996-2013: Regional Cooperation or NATO's Balancing?

Abstract

This study examines the subject of the security role of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) 1996-2013. The study presented a historical background of this organization in terms of its establishment, members, targets, structure, and security interests that member states are trying to achieve. The study tried to analyze the nature of the security role of the SCO by dividing it into four historical stages: Stage of approachment among the member states (1991-1996), stage of confidence and security building (1996-2001), stage of institutionalization of regional security (2001-2004), and stage of practicing a global security role (2004-2013). It is based on the premise, that there is a positive correlation between the growing security role of the SCO and the members tendency for balancing possible threats that coming from the NATO. In this study, the researcher have opted for "an historical analytical Approach" as one of the methodological tools that best fit to the topic.The study concluded that the security role of the SCO has developed significantly through exercising a kind of "Soft Balancing" towards the policies of the United States and NATO. This type of balancing may develop into "Hard Balancing", if the member states - particularly China and Russia – could overcome the internal and external challenges they are facing.