"This study explores the centrally important question from a longer-term Uzbek point of view: to what extent are closer ties between Washington and Tashkent contributing to political reforms in Uzbekistan? Eschewing simplistic assumptions about democratisation, Akbarzadeh explores what this new relationship means for subtler processes of shifting political power. Akbarzadeh analyses political events since independence, including the emergence of radical Islamic opposition. He explores how September 11 catalysed a transformation in Washington's attitude and tempered its concerns with 'transition to democracy', in order to fight Islamism. Akbarzadeh argues that this shift in emphasis has given new life to the authoritarian regime of President Karimov, facilitating a return to Soviet-style politics."--Jacket.

Acknowledgements -- Chronology -- Map of Uzbekistan -- Foreword / by Yaacov Ba'i -- From Soviet to Post-Soviet authoritarianism -- Islamic challenge -- Tashkent's foreign policy decisions -- Uzbekistan and the United States: a difficult relationship -- September 11 and the 'War on Terror' -- Human rights and Democracy -- Prospects for authoritarian withdrawal -- Postscript -- Appendix A: The Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan -- Appendix B: Extracts from the Report of the Special Rapporteur on the Question of Torture -- Appendix C: The call to jihad / by the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan.