By Christopher Boucek (7/5/2000 issue of the CACI Analyst)
BACKGROUND: As the Central Asian states slowly find their way in a post-Soviet world, the republics are cautious to avoid returning to a system dictated by Moscow. As they strive towards a policy of independence, the Islamic Republic of Iran is a natural geopolitical counterbalance to any perceptions of Russian chauvinism vis-à-vis Central Asia. Iran has taken strong positions on separatism and extremism, both comforting to the Central Asian republics.
By Bea Hogan (7/5/2000 issue of the CACI Analyst)
BACKGROUND: Since he came to power during the Soviet era, Nursultan Nazarbayev has distinguished himself by his political skill. Early on he learned to balance the interests of various ethnic groups in the country, diffuse radical nationalist strains, cajole Western policymakers, and attract foreign investment. Mikhail Gorbachev appointed him First Secretary of the Kazakh SSR in 1989 and shortly thereafter, the Soviet parliament changed his title to president.
By Alim A. Seytoff (7/5/2000 issue of the CACI Analyst)
BACKROUND: Heroin and AIDS were first only seen in Xinjiang, China in Western films beginning a decade ago. Marijuana and hashish have been common to the region for centuries. But drugs such as heroin and cocaine were introduced to Xinjiang only in the early 1990s from Southeast Asias Golden Triangle, which is thousands of miles away.
By Roger N. McDermott (3/12/2003 issue of the CACI Analyst)
BACKGROUND: Whilst most of the early militaries in Central Asia were developed on the basis of the units in the Soviet Turkestan Military District, in Tajikistan the experience of military construction was unique, relying upon volunteer groups. The Tajik armed forces inherited little from Soviet army, military schools and training centers were entirely lacking. This greatly inhibited the speed at which suitable forces could be constructed.The Central Asia-Caucasus Analyst is a biweekly publication of the Central Asia-Caucasus Institute & Silk Road Studies Program, a Joint Transatlantic Research and Policy Center affiliated with the American Foreign Policy Council, Washington DC., and the Institute for Security and Development Policy, Stockholm. For 15 years, the Analyst has brought cutting edge analysis of the region geared toward a practitioner audience.
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