US-Central Asian Security. Balancing Opportunities and Challenges

Abstract

The newly independent states of Central Asia exhibit relative stability although economic progress is slow. While their greatest security threats are internal political repression, inequitable distribution of income, ethnic and tribal unrest their leaders focus instead on external threats such as hostile neighbors and the spill-over of Islamic extremism (especially in Afghanistan). The Central Asian states are comfortable with the current U.S. level of engagement in the region, but the growing momentum of economic interests, diplomatic ties, and military relationships risks unintended consequences. Leaders of the Central Asian states may interpret U.S. military and diplomatic initiatives as a commitment to regime survival and preservation of the regional status quo, policy decisions the United States has not yet made.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 1999
Accession Number
ADA394226

Entities

People

  • Judith Yaphe
  • Sylvia Babus

Organizations

  • National Defense University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Asia
  • Central Asia
  • Commerce
  • International Organizations
  • Investments
  • Market Economy
  • Military Training
  • Minority Groups
  • National Security
  • Recreation
  • Security
  • Terrorism
  • Terrorists
  • Training
  • United States
  • Ussr
  • War Colleges

Readers

  • East Asian Political and Security Studies within the Soviet Union
  • Political Violence and Terrorism Studies.