The Effects of Security Problems on the USA- Uzbekistan Relations

Abstract

One of the factors effective in determining foreign policies of the countries is the issues of national security. This is especially true of the bilateral relations of countries which experience common security problems and affected by this situation. After its independence the Uzbekistani administration perceived their basic threat as 'fundamentalism'. Thus in the first years of independence, Tashkent tried to come closer to The United States of America (USA) so as to overcome this threat. In response to this, the USA, did not develop a comprehensive policy towards Uzbekistan. But the USA faced a similar security threat with September 11th attacks. Along with the increase of the Central Asia's geopolitical importance following the September 11th attacks, Washington increased its relations with Uzbekistan and bilateral relations reached to the level of strategic partnership. Because of the common threat perception, the USA overcame the Taliban by taking advantage of Uzbekistan's geopolitical position. Meanwhile the Uzbekistani administration largely avoided 'radical' movements through this war. However, emergence of the Colour Revolutions in the former Soviet republics, supported by the USA, destructed these relations. But in recent years both Kerimov and Obama administrations have tried to amend Uzbek American relations. Some positive developments have been witnessed since 2011. Because the USA, who has problematic relations with Pakistan administration, needs Uzbekistan's land again. In this study, the bilateral relations between the US, which became the sole super power in the post-Cold War period, and Uzbekistan, the most powerful country in Central Asia, are analyzed in the context of security issues