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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: Kazakhstan's Evolving Foreign Economic and Security Interests, part of a five-volume series, examines the full scope of U.S. national interests in Kazakhstan and puts forward the broad outlines of a strategy for U.S. engagement over the coming years.

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: Tajikistan's Evolving Foreign Economic and Security Interests, part of a five-volume series, examines the full scope of U.S. national interests in Tajikistan and puts forward the broad outlines of a strategy for U.S. engagement over the coming years.

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.

Today, with combat operations in Afghanistan winding down, U.S. policy toward the states of Central Asia is transitioning to a third 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: Kyrgyzstan's Evolving Foreign Economic and Security Interests, part of a five volume series, examines the full scope of U.S. national interests in Kyrgyzstan and puts forward the broad outlines of a strategy for U.S. engagement over the coming years\"--Publisher's web site.

Instability in Afghanistan has had a considerable effect on regional security in Central Asia, particularly in the aftermath of the events of 9/11, and this has meant that the importance of NATO and its contribution to security in this area has increased considerably.

Religion and security play an important role in traditional societies. In South and Central Asia, traditional and moderate Islamic beliefs and practices with strong indigenous and Sufi content are diametrically opposed to radical Wahabi and Taliban brands of Islam intolerant of other cultures and groups. The emergence of radical extremist and violent Islamist movements poses serious challenges to the secular and democratic polity, inter-religious harmony, security and territorial integrity of states in the region. As such, religious extremism, terrorism, drug trafficking and arms smuggling are viewed by various countries in South and Central Asia and also in the West as the main threats to their security. Against this backdrop, this book provides local perspectives on religion, security, history and geopolitics in South Asia and Central Asia in an integrated manner. Presenting a holistic and updated view of the developments inside and across South and Central Asia, it offers concise analyses by experts on the region. Contributors discuss topics such as the resurgence of the Taliban in Afghanistan, the politics and practice of Islamist terrorism in India, and the security challenges posed by religious radicalism in Bangladesh. The book makes a significant contribution to South and Central Asian Studies, as well as studies on Regional Security. K.Warikoo is Director of the Central Asian Studies Programme at Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India. He has authored several books on Kashmir, Central Asia and Afghanistan, and is the founding editor of the quarterly journal Himalayan and Central Asian Studies . 1. Introduction K. Warikoo 2. Taliban’s Resurgence in Afghanistan and Pakistan Frederic Grare 3. Pakistan's Slide Towards Talibanisation Sushant Sareen 4. Resurgence of the Taliban and Al Qaeda in Afghanistan: Implications for Regional Security Deepali Gaur Singh 5. Roads to Perdition: The Politics and Practice of Islamist Terrorism in India Praveen Swami 6. Islamist Extremism in Kashmir K. Warikoo 7. Communal Peace in India: Lessons from Multicultural Banaras Priyankar Upadhyaya 8. Islamist Extremism and Terror Network in Bangladesh Smruti S. Pattanaik 9. Religious Radicalism in Bangladesh: Security Challenges to India C. A. Josukutty 10. Hizb ut-Tahrir: The Destabilising Force in Central Asia Mahesh R. Debata 11. Islamic Radicalism in Central Asia Murat Laumulin 12. Islam in Contemporary Tajikistan: Role of Muslim Leaders Muzaffar Olimov 13. Ethnic-Religious Separatism in Xinjiang: Challenge to China's Security K. Warikoo

After twenty-five years of independence, there is little doubt that the five Central Asian states will persist as sovereign, independent states. They increasingly differ from each other, and are making their way in global politics. No longer connected only to Russia, they are now connected in important ways to Afghanistan, South Asia, China, Iran, and each other. This volume covers a wide range of issues and presents the work of emerging scholars authors well-known for their expertise in the region. The first part addresses social issues. Covering a wide range from HIV/AIDs to social media, the rebirth of Islam, outmigration, and problematic borders, this section follows two main currents: political development in the region and states’ responses to transboundary challenges. The second part, addressing economics and security, provides analyses of new infrastructure, informal economies (from bazaars to criminal networks), energy development, the role of enclaves in the Ferghana Valley, and the development of the states’ military structures. This section illuminates the interactions between economic developments and security, and the forces that could undermine both. The final part, comprised of five case studies, offers a “deeper dive” into a specific factor that matters in the development of each Central Asian state. These cases include Kazakhstan’s foreign policy identity, Kyrgyzstan’s domestic politics, Tajikistan’s pursuit of hydropower, foreign direct investment in Turkmenistan, and the perception of everyday corruption in Uzbekistan.

China, Iran, Afghanistan, India, and Pakistan are critical players in the security and economic issues that will determine the future of Central Asia and affect U.S. interests in the region. By assessing the developing relations between Central Asia and its neighbors, it is evident that each country stands to benefit from stability and economic growth in Central Asia, but opinion toward U.S. presence and policy in the region could be a point of conflict.