VaŶ deŶ BosĐh, J., Linkage, Leverage and Gatekeeper Elites in Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, iŶ: AspeĐts of CoŶteŵpoƌaƌLJ Asia. Politics, law, media, WLJdaǁŶiĐtǁo Adaŵ Maƌszałek, Torun, 2015, pp. 134-154. (ISBN 978-83-8019-129-7) Linkage, Leverage and Gatekeeper Elites in Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan Mgr. Jeroen Van den Bosch Department of International Relations Adam Mickiewicz University jvdbosch@amu.edu.pl ABSTRACT: The author applies the Linkage-Leverage theory, updated by Jakob Tolstrup to three Central Asian Countries. The paper argues that the Central Asian countries have more or less successfully diversified their geopolitical and economic linkages with Russia, China and the U.S.A. since the end of the Cold War. This leads the author to believe that other forms of linkage, especially social and communication linkage will become more important over the next years. The question ƌeŵaiŶs hoǁ the Peoples ‘epuďliĐ of ChiŶa ǁill aĐt if ‘ussia ďeĐoŵes ŵoƌe asseƌtiǀe iŶ the ǁake of American withdrawal from the region, in particular since China only possesses economical linkage. KEYWORDS: Leverage, Linkage, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Geopolitics. This paper will analyze the relations of Russia, the US and the Peoples ‘epuďliĐ of ChiŶa toǁaƌds the three most powerful Central Asian countries (Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan). It will use the theoretical framework developed by S. Levitksy and L. Way, and updated by J. Tolstrup to assess, which external actors exercise most influence on which Central Asian (CA) countries, and how this influences democratization processes. In addition, the author would like to highlight that the three CA countries discussed, have not been mere passive players, but have actively tried to assert their autonomy in the post-Cold War era vis-à-vis external actors. The conclusion will summarize the findings of the Linkage-Leverage theory and point out which forms of linkage will become more salient in the coming years and what are the prospects for democratization. Starting with the theoretical framework; S. Levitsky and L. Way developed the Linkage-Leverage theory to analyze democracy promotion as a global phenomenon. Their main aim was to focus on the halted democratic transitions in the so-called hybrid regimes: authoritarian regimes with a democratic façade. Their model identifies actors promoting democracy and possessing various forms