Central Asia: Background, Issues and U.S. Interests

Central Asia's importance to the U.S. is rooted in the following three facts: its proximity to Afghanistan and thus the seat of the Taliban and Al-Qaida that have attacked us and will do so again; its proximity to key states like Russia, Iran and China, and the Indian subcontinent; and its large energy deposits which are becoming critical for Europe. These facts have led every administration since 1993 to advance broad geostrategic goals for Central Asia. This book explores the Central Asian country backgrounds of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Also discussed are the challenges and opportunities for the Obama Administration in Central Asia; Central Asian security issues and U.S. policy in Central Asia.