This book examines the development of Uzbekistan’s international relations since the collapse of the Soviet Union.

The author analyzes political institutions and parties in Uzbekistan and explores potential areas of instability, including ethnic and religious tensions, as well as the prolonged conflict in Tajikistan. The second part of the paper discusses Uzbeskistan's principal foreign policy intiatives.

Today, with combat operations in Afghanistan winding down, U.S. policy toward the states of Central Asia is transitioning to a new era. The United States now has an opportunity to refashion its approach to the region. In doing so, it should capitalize on trends already underway, in particular the expansion of trade and transit linkages, to help integrate Central Asia more firmly into the global economy, while also working to overcome tensions both within the region itself and among the major neighboring powers with interests in Central Asia. Central Asia in a Reconnecting Eurasia: Uzbekistan's Evolving Foreign Economic and Security Interests, part of a five-volume series, examines the full scope of U.S. national interests in Uzbekistan and puts forward the broad outlines of a strategy for U.S. engagement over the coming years.

Uzbekistan’s foreign policy from 1991 to 2016, starting from independence right up to the death of its first president, Islam Karimov, is one of the more distinctive approaches to international politics since the end of the Cold War. This distinctiveness rests on the republic’s gradual struggle for self-reliance upon becoming independent. Authorities in Uzbekistan, especially its President, were sceptics of the norms that came to prevail across regional and broader international politics. This book addresses the making of Uzbekistan’s general foreign policy and its corresponding effects outside Central Asia, particularly at the highest level, among state officials, heads of state and ministers. It shows how a particular set of promises, slogans and attitudes became the pillars upon which Uzbekistan’s international role was shaped, a role which then affected Tashkent’s twenty-five year relations with Russia, the United States, Germany and Turkey. The book argues that the Government of Uzbekistan sought to be recognised as a self-reliant power after independence, but that the international norms of the post-Cold War order, coupled with the conflicting aims of the partners with whom it interacted, hindered acknowledgement and contributed to a twenty-year struggle for recognition. Providing a thorough assessment of President Karimov’s legacy in the foreign policy domain, this book contributes to the developing field of role theory and recognition in International Relations. It will also be of interest to academics in the fields of Central Asian and Eurasian politics and international relations.

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 gained independence at the end of 1991 with the breakup of the Soviet Union. The landlocked country is a potential Central Asian regional power by virtue of its population, the largest in the region, its substantial energy and other resources, and its location at the heart of regional trade and transport networks. The United States pursued close ties with Uzbekistan following its independence. This book discusses the profiles, foreign relations and human rights of the European country of Uzbekistan.

Uzbekistan, long considered the center of Central Asia, has the region’s largest population and borders every other regional state including Afghanistan. For the first 25 years of its independence, it adopted a cautious, defensive policy that emphasized sovereignty and treated regional efforts at cooperation with skepticism. But after taking over as President in autumn 2016, Shavkat Mirziyoyev launched a breathtaking series of reform initiatives. His slogan – “it is high time the government serves the people, not vice versa” – led to large-scale reforms in virtually every sector. Time will tell whether the reform effort will succeed, but its first positive fruits are already visible, particularly in a new dynamism within Uzbek society, as well as a fresh approach to foreign relations, where a new spirit of regionalism is taking root. This book is the first systematic effort to analyze Uzbekistan’s reforms.

The book is a comprehensive assessment of Indo Uzbek partnership for regional peace and stability covering the historical background of the relationship, the current trends, areas of contention and cooperation, the challenges, prospects and implication. The authors, all established specialists, examine the various components and dimensions of the relationship, and suggest ways to overcome the current stalemate. They also provide an insight into the steps to overcome radicalisation to be able to benefit from the resultant demographic dividend. Each section of the book comprehensively and systematically examines a particular theme of relevance and provides both Indian and Uzbek perspective on it, making it supremely insightful.