Ultimately, it can be said that if the
United States did not need Uzbekistan
due to the reasons stated in the above the lack of human rights in Uzbekistan
would definitely be addressed, but as for now Uzbekistan makes for an
embarrassing partner the United States has to lay in bed with.
Tuesday, May 6, 2014
Uzbekistan and the United States: Authoritarianism, Islamism and Washington, by Shahram Akbarzadeh
Uzbekistan and the United States:
Authoritarianism, Islamism and Washington, by
Shahram Akbarzadeh does a very good job of encompassing the many facets of
geopolitics in regards to Uzbekistan and the United States. Akbarzadeh concedes
to the fact that the alliance between the United States and Uzbekistan is
nothing sort of strange. For Uzbekistan’s autocratic leadership under President
Islam Karimov the alliance with the U.S promised economic aid, a more effective
defense against domestic and regional Islamists and support for a more
assertive Uzbek role in Central Asia, most notably against Russia’s continued
hegemonic attempts. On the United States’ end, Uzbekistan offered access to
Central Asian oil and gas, a foothold of sorts in “Russia’s backyard” but most
importantly a reliable staging ground for the war on terror (Taliban and
Saddam). Akbarzadeh helps us see that the relationship between the United
States and Uzbekistan is definitely one that looks better on paper. Though the
motives of both sides are clear-cut and roughly compatible, the relationship is
marred by Karimov’s incurable dictorial habits and disinclination to follow up
its numerous laudable announcements for foreign consumption with real economic and political reform.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I find the review very interesting..While I was doing my research on Guantanamo Bay I came across information linked to the close relationship the US had with Uzbekistan. Many black sites for interrogation used by the CIA were located in Uzbekistan
ReplyDeleteCame across that in my research as well. Uzbekistan helped the CIA in carrying out a secret program to detain and interrogate suspected terrorists, Uzbekistan's involvement in the program isn't all that shocking though seeing as Karimov is notorious in international rights watchdog groups for engaging in systematic torture. Definitely parallels in methods used at these CIA black sites in Uzbekistan and Guantanamo Bay.
DeleteDo you think Uzbekistan would become an "enemy" of the US if they suddenly decided to oust American presence from the country?
ReplyDeleteTricky, but not sure if this is even a plausible scenario, Uzbekistan would never, though relations have cooled severely before. But in an imperfect world of course they'd become an enemy, but one that the United States doesn't need at the end of the day. We finally have some footing near our lovely frenemy Russia, plus I'll go as far as to say that we need Uzbekistan as a strategic partner in this ongoing war.
DeleteThe U.S. is obviously invested in having a relationship with Uzbekistan right now so they haven't addressed issues with human rights, but has the rest of the international community ignored the issue as well?
ReplyDeleteIt's really just a matter of the international community not getting in the way of the United States. There has been sanctions though, as was mentioned in the review, an embarrassing partner to have but necessary at this point.
Delete