By James Purcell Smith (12/1/2004 issue of the CACI Analyst)

BACKGROUND: In the early 1990s, immediately after the collapse of USSR, Iran adopted an assertive policy in a push to gain influence in Central Asia, both through export of its Islamic ideology, through economic ties, and implying its political agenda in a regional dimension under the aegis of international organizations. These efforts briefly brought the Islamist government in Tajikistan under Tehran’s wings in 1991-1992. Its defeat in the ensuing civil war transformed Iran’s policy into co-sponsorship of the Tajik peace dialogue on behalf of the United Tajik Opposition.

By Maral Madi (12/1/2004 issue of the CACI Analyst)

BACKGROUND: On November 19, 2004, Turkmen President Saparmurat Niyazov paid an official visit to Uzbekistan at the invitation of President Islam Karimov. Niyazov landed not in Tashkent, but in Bukhara which signaled the locality of the issues discussed. Their last meeting took place in September 2000, and subsequently relations became increasingly tense, given the Turkmenistan’s neutrality stance, its relations with the Taliban regime, increasing nationalism and discrimination of ethnic Uzbeks, and frequent border clashes since 2002 spiraling down a vicious circle of mutual accusations.

By Khatuna Salukvadze (12/1/2004 issue of the CACI Analyst)

BACKGROUND: Coinciding with the continual developments in Georgia’s secessionist regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, bold steps in military cooperation with NATO and the U.S. mark the first anniversary of Georgia’s Rose Revolution.