THE “UZBEK MODEL” OF DEVELOPMENT: SLOW, STABLE AND SHOWING SUCCESS
By Andrew Buchman (1/28/2004 issue of the CACI Analyst)
BACKGROUND: In the dozen years following independence, critics have predicted little success for Karimov’s “zig-zag” development policies. Yet Uzbekistan has outperformed expectations. President Islam Karimov has made quite clear, in numerous elaborations of his government’s domestic and foreign policy, that Uzbekistan faces considerable security challenges that limit the degree and pace of liberalization his government can afford to pursue.TURKMENISTAN’S MILITARY INVESTMENTS: THE START OF AN ARMS RACE?
By Hooman Peimani (1/28/2004 issue of the CACI Analyst)
BACKGROUND: As the only two Caspian states, the Soviet Union and Iran were the only military powers in the Caspian region in the Soviet era. Although the Iranians had a significant military presence, including a small Caspian Sea fleet, the Soviets were unquestionably the dominant military force with a very impressive Caspian Sea fleet. The disintegration of the Soviet Union increased the number of Caspian littoral states from two to five.HIZB-UT-TAHRIR’S INCREASING ACTIVITY IN CENTRAL ASIA
By Anara Tabyshalieva (1/14/2004 issue of the CACI Analyst)
BACKGROUND: Organized in Jerusalem in 1953 and having headquartered in London, Hizb-ut-Tahrir aims at establishing a single Islamic Caliphate incorporating all Central Asian republics of the CIS, along with the Muslim regions of Russia, China, and the northern Caucasus. Proclaiming a non-violent way to a theocratic state, this transnational movement, in Arabic the “Party of Islamic Liberation” has had some success at grassroots level, not only because of a well-organized underground activity and external support in finances and training, but also because of the perceived political exclusion of youth, increasing poverty, and unemployment in Central Asia. Supporters of the Islamic Caliphate advocate free trade and no borders between Muslim states.INDIA’S CONTINUING DRIVE INTO CENTRAL ASIA
By Stephen Blank (1/14/2004 issue of the CACI Analyst)
BACKGROUND: Historically the original Great Game came about due to Russian penetration and conquest of Central Asia, a process that alarmed the British Empire because it could discern no end to Moscow’s or St. Petersburg’s appetites. Hence in modern times, and in spite of the division of the Raj into India and Pakistan, Central Asia has been an important factor in regional security.Visit also
Staff Publications
Silk Road Paper S. Frederick Starr, Greater Central Asia as A Component of U.S. Global Strategy, October 2024.
Analysis Laura Linderman, "Rising Stakes in Tbilisi as Elections Approach," Civil Georgia, September 7, 2024.
Analysis Mamuka Tsereteli, "U.S. Black Sea Strategy: The Georgian Connection", CEPA, February 9, 2024.
Silk Road Paper Svante E. Cornell, ed., Türkiye's Return to Central Asia and the Caucasus, July 2024.
Book Svante E. Cornell, ed., "The Changing Geopolitics of Central Asia and the Caucasus" AFPC Press/Armin LEar, 2023.
Silk Road Paper Svante E. Cornell and S. Frederick Starr, Stepping up to the “Agency Challenge”: Central Asian Diplomacy in a Time of Troubles, July 2023.
Silk Road Paper S. Frederick Starr, U.S. Policy in Central Asia through Central Asian Eyes, May 2023.