United States Central Command: New Player in Central Asia's "Great Game"
Abstract
USCENTCOM will add the Central Asian nations of Kazaidistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan to its Area of Responsibility (AOR) effective October 1, 1999. The region's huge gas and oil reserves, ethnic and religious volatility, and immature governments (having only been in existence since the Soviet Union's 1991 collapse) mark it as a potential "flashpoint" for conflict as the millenium approaches. This analysis of geopolitics and demography highlights USCENTCOM's challenges. China, it is argued, represents more of a threat to Central Asian stability than Russia, though several states are competing for influence in a revival of last century's "great game." The U.S. imperative is to ensure that no regional hegemon emerges as Central Asian economies and, presumably, democracies mature. Proposals for USCENTCOM action as prelude to next years AOR adjustment include: 1) 1nstitutionalizing U.S. Atlantic Command's Central Asian Battalion peacekeeping exercise concept; 2) Establishing a cross-specialty HQUSCENTCOM Joint Task Force Augmentation Cell (JTFAC) to consolidate and expand expertise on Central Asia, with a focus on rapid crisis response; 3) Sponsoring a forum to integrate the JTFAC with governmental and civilian representatives to include energy and technology industries, economic aid institutions, agriculture, environmental protection and restoration, cultural exchange, and law enforcement professionals; 4) Appointing USCENTCOM Security Assistance Officers to ambassadorial staffs in each of the Central Asian embassies; and 5) Offering expanded International Military Training and Education opportunities to Central Asian defense establishment personnel.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 18, 1998
- Accession Number
- ADA351616
Entities
People
- William R. Kunzweiler
Organizations
- Naval War College