"The Resurgence of Central Asia is Ahmed Rashid's seminal study of the states - Kazakhstan, Kirgystan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan - that emerged in the aftermath of the break-up of the Soviet Union. All have Muslim majorities and ancient histories, but are otherwise very different. Rashid's book, which appears now with a new introduction examining some of the crucial political developments since its first publication in 1994, provides an introduction to this little-known but geopolitically increasingly important region. Rashid gives a history of each country, including its incorporation into Tsarist Russia to the present day. He provides basic socio-economic information and explains the diverse political situations. He focuses primarily on the underlying issues confronting these societies: the legacy of Soviet rule; ethnic tensions; the position of women; the future of Islam; the question of nuclear proliferation; and the fundamental choices over economic strategy, political system and external orientation which lie ahead"--Page 4 of cover.

First published in 1994.

Conquerors, Khans, and Communists --The two revolutions 1917-1991 -- Socialism along the silk road: economy and society in Central Asia -- At the centre of the world: Uzbekistan -- Warriors of the turquoise hills: Kazakhstan -- The cradle of the earth: Kyrgyzstan -- The mountains of Islam: Tajikistan -- The desert horsemen: Turkmenistan -- The great game revisited: Central Asia's foreign policy -- Uncertain homelands: security, Islam and nationalism.