Abstract
This article comparatively analyzes public perceptions of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) in Armenia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. Despite being invisible for most of its existence, the CSTO has recently garnered increased attention due to its (non)involvement in various crises in its member countries. Consequently, the publics are increasingly debating the CSTO and its (ir)relevance. This article delves into the substance of these debates, shifting the focus away from the dominant state-centric and Russia-centric perspectives. Original focus group data combined with secondary survey data revealed the prevalence of negative attitudes towards the CSTO. Yet, some focus group participants in Armenia, and, more visibly, in Kyrgyzstan still supported the preservation of their membership in the organization, whereas the intention to leave it was dominant in Kazakhstan. This variance is explained by (1) the degree of perceived external threat and (2) the perceived unavailability of alternative security arrangements in these countries.