Despite Central Asia's fast-moving pace, Fuller's report on a trip to Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan in July 1991 stands up very well two years later, for his observations are grounded in a well-developed historical understanding. The subject matter ranges from an analysis of the National Museum of the Kazakh People to speculations about the struggle for the Muslim soul of Central Asia. As such, Fuller's short, well-written study provides the best overall introduction to the region's current situation.
Why does Central Asia matter to Americans? Because its emergence onto the scene of world politics "exerts a strong ripple effect on such states as Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, China, and others, potentially unleashing regional conflict, wars, separatist or irredentist movements, and religious extremism that affect the broader stability and security of the surrounding states." In other words, oil and other resources aside, this is an area of danger more than of opportunity. Kazakhstan's nuclear weapons have portentous implications. Maltreatment of the Russians who live there could spur Moscow to violence. ("Any Kazakh government has to be prepared for the possibility of confrontation with Russia, possibly including even the use of force.") A union of Tajiks living in Tajikistan and Afghanistan could set off a chain reaction of ethnic consolidation which might affect Pakistan, Iran, and even India.
