Latest Articles about Central Asia
IMPLICATIONS OF THE ANDIJAN CRACKDOWN FOR U.S. SECURITY ASSISTANCE
As details emerge from the military crackdown in Andijan, Uzbekistan, the foreign governments giving security assistance to Uzbekistan are assessing the implications. Comments offered by senior defense officials in neighboring Kazakhstan suggest that Tashkent needs further military reform, especially for promoting speedy progress towards professionalizing... MORE
Terrorism in Uzbekistan: A Self-Made Crisis
However paradoxical it may sound, the recent terrorist acts in Uzbekistan were not a complete surprise, either to average citizens in the republic or to political analysts. The horrific economic situation in the republic, the extreme level of corruption exhibited by the state apparatus, the... MORE
Kazakhstan’s Emerging Role in the War on Terror
Kazakhstan has taken on an increasingly active role in the war on terrorism since its initial declaration of support after 9/11, promoting regional security and developing more effective means to protect its energy infrastructure and civilian population from possible terrorist attacks. Kazakhstan's perception of the... MORE
Trojan Horse or Genuine Schism? The Hezb-e-Islami Split
The Islamist campaign in Afghanistan may be undercut by the announcement of a split in the leadership of the radical Hezb-e-Islami party. Ten members of the group’s senior leadership met in May with Afghanistan’s interim President Hamid Karzai in Kabul and publicly announced their rejection... MORE
KYRGYZSTAN EXTENDS RELUCTANT WELCOME TO UZBEK REFUGEES
Reports about the number of Uzbeks fleeing the Andijan and Pakhtaabad massacres for southern Kyrgyzstan range from 500 to 6,000. Kyrgyz Ombudsman Tursunbai Bakir predicts the refugee flows will increase up to a million if the Uzbek conflict continues to intensify (Akipress, May 17). It... MORE
ASTANA FACES POLITICAL DILEMMAS AFTER UZBEK UPRISING
While there seems to be no connection between Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev's unusually extensive tours to southern and western Kazakhstan in recent days and the riots in Andijan of Uzbekistan, the Kazakh strongman is obviously more concerned with his uncertain prospects for retaining power in... MORE
History Chasing Optimism: Afghanistan in Spring, 2005
In May 2005, former Taliban Foreign Minister Wakil Ahmed Muttawakil said the Taliban was a "spent force" and asked his former associates "to hold talks with the Afghan government. It will be good for our people." [1] His statement augmented announcements that other Taliban leaders... MORE
RUSSIA BLAMES TALIBAN FOR UPRISING IN UZBEKISTAN
Official statements emanating from Moscow on the unfolding crisis in eastern Uzbekistan firmly place the blame on Taliban elements promoting political violence within Andijan. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov first emphasized this aspect on Saturday, May 14, asserting that the disturbing news from Uzbekistan was... MORE
CITING NEED FOR STABILITY, KYRGYZ LEADERS FORM POLITICAL UNION
On May 13, Kurmanbek Bakiyev and Felix Kulov signed an agreement to form a political team for Kyrgyzstan's July 10 presidential elections. Kulov agreed to withdraw his candidacy with the stipulation that he would become prime minister in case Acting President Bakiyev wins (Akipress, May... MORE
KARIMOV ORDERS BLOODY END TO ANDIJAN UPRISING
Troops dispatched by Tashkent have put down last week's popular uprising in Andijan, Uzbekistan. Undeterred by the thousands of demonstrators, troops opened fire on the crowd, shooting women and children as well as the rebels. Rather than waiting until nightfall, when the crowds diminish, the... MORE