Uzbekistan and the United States : authoritarianism, Islamism and Washington's new security agenda

Uzbekistan, the most strategically situated Central Asian country, has exhibited the most appalling record on human rights and democratic reforms. Yet, post - September 11, a transformation in US policy has suddenly taken place. US troops are now stationed there; Washington has put the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan on its list of terrorist organizations; and the Bush administration has promised to triple aid to President Karimov's highly authoritarian regime. This unique study explores the central question from a longer-term Uzbek point of view: to what extent are closer ties between Washington and Tashkent contributing to political reforms inside Uzbekistan? Dr Akbarzadeh describes political events since independence, including the emergence of a radical Islamic opposition. He analyses how September 11 has catalysed a transformation in Washington's attitude as it perceived a common Islamic enemy, and he examines the possible beginnings of a retreat from Soviet-style politics.

Uzbekistan, the most strategically situated Central Asian country, has exhibited the most appalling record on human rights and democratic reforms. Yet, post-September 11, a transformation in US policy has suddenly taken place: US troops are now stationed there; Washington has put the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan on its list of terrorist organizations; and the Bush administration has promised to triple aid to President Karimov's highly authoritarian regime.This unique study explores the central question from a longer-term Uzbek point of view: to what extent are closer ties between Washington and Tashkent contributing to political reforms inside Uzbekistan? Dr Akbarzadeh describes political events since independence, including the emergence of a radical Islamic opposition. He analyses how September 11 has catalysed a transformation in Washington's attitude as it perceived a common Islamic enemy, and he examines the possible beginnings of a retreat from Soviet-style politics.

"This study explores the centrally important question from a longer-term Uzbek point of view: to what extent are closer ties between Washington and Tashkent contributing to political reforms in Uzbekistan? Eschewing simplistic assumptions about democratisation, Akbarzadeh explores what this new relationship means for subtler processes of shifting political power. Akbarzadeh analyses political events since independence, including the emergence of radical Islamic opposition. He explores how September 11 catalysed a transformation in Washington's attitude and tempered its concerns with 'transition to democracy', in order to fight Islamism. Akbarzadeh argues that this shift in emphasis has given new life to the authoritarian regime of President Karimov, facilitating a return to Soviet-style politics."--Jacket Acknowledgements -- Chronology -- Map of Uzbekistan -- Foreword / by Yaacov Ba'i -- From Soviet to Post-Soviet authoritarianism -- Islamic challenge -- Tashkent's foreign policy decisions -- Uzbekistan and the United States: a difficult relationship -- September 11 and the 'War on Terror' -- Human rights and Democracy -- Prospects for authoritarian withdrawal -- Postscript -- Appendix A: The Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan -- Appendix B: Extracts from the Report of the Special Rapporteur on the Question of Torture -- Appendix C: The call to jihad / by the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan Concerns the about-turn in US foreign policy towards Uzbekistan since 9/11.