Central Asia after the empire

the long version

The Central Asian republics of the former Soviet Union gained autonomy in 1991. Hidden from the West for so long, little is known about Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Now, in the Post-Cold War era, the shifts of power taking place within these oil-rich republics will be keenly observed by the West and by neighbouring economies such as China, Turkey and Iran. The region's development as an economic force will be of still greater importance for Russia. This volume provides the first succinct, introductory overview in English of the peoples, economy, politics and religion of the Central Asian republics; the role of the region in the global arena and the potential impact on the military, political, demographic and economic balance of forces in Asia. The authors provide an analysis of the current situation and prospects for the newly emerged republics in the light of the region's immense mineral wealth and oil reserve and the long history of Islamic faith in the republics.