Central Asia's Security : Issues and Implications for U. S. Interests

By Nichol, Jim

Book Id: WPLBN0000205367
Format Type: PDF eBook
File Size: 0.3 MB
Reproduction Date: 2008

Title:	Central Asia's Security : Issues and Implications for U. S. Interests
Author:	Nichol, Jim
Volume:
Language:	English
Subject:	Government publications, Legislation., Government Printing Office (U.S.)
Collections:	Government Library Collection
Historic Publication Date:
Publisher:	Government Printing Office


Citation APA MLA Chicago Nichol, J. (n.d.). Central Asia's Security : Issues and Implications for U. S. Interests. Retrieved from http://www.gutenberg.cc/

Excerpt
Introduction: The strategic Central Asian region bordering regional powers Russia, China, and Iran is an age-old east-west and north-south trade and transport crossroads. After many of the Soviet Union’s republics had declared their independence by late 1991, the five former Soviet republics of Central Asia followed suit. Since this largely unexpected beginning of independence, the Central Asian countries have taken some uneven steps in building defense and other security structures and ties. In some instances, the states have viewed their exposure to outside influences as a mixed blessing. While welcoming new trade and aid, the leaders of Central Asia have been less receptive to calls to democratize and respect human rights.

Table of Contents
Contents Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Central Asia’s External Security Context . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Security Problems and Progress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Islamic Extremism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Terrorist Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Turkmenistan’s 2002 Attempted Coup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Attacks in Uzbekistan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Attacks in Kyrgyzstan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 The Incursions into Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan in 1999-2000 . . . . . . . 8 Civil War in Tajikistan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Border Tensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Crime and Corruption . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Economic and Defense Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Water Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Energy and Transport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Non-Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Illegal Narcotics Production, Use, and Trafficking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Implications for U.S. Interests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 U.S. Security Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Counter-Narcotics Aid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Military Aid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Safety of U.S. Citizens and Investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Embassy Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Issues for Congress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Should the United States Play a Prominent Role in Central Asia? . . . . . . . 34 What are U.S. Interests in Central Asia? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 What Roles Should Outside Powers Play in the Region? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 How Significant Are Regional Energy Resources to U.S. Interests? . . . . . . 37 What U.S. Security Involvement is Appropriate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Should the United States Try to Foster Democratization? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39