Understanding Central Asia : Politics and Contested Transformations

As an introductory text, "Understanding Central Asia" presents students with the basic knowledge of the history, politics and international relations of Central Asia.

Sally Cummings explores the domestic and foreign politics of the five independent states of post-Soviet Central Asia: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

This accessible text is arranged thematically and covers key issues such as: history; state and nation-building; the role of Islam; economic and political reform; relations with the South, particularly Afghanistan, India and Pakistan; and relations with Russia and the geopolitical role of Central Asia post-September 11th.