The societies of Central Asia are besieged from within and without. The political elites -- virtually unchanged despite the transition to independent statehood -- battle radical Islamic movements and other oppositional threats that are continuously fueled by economic instability, corruption, environmental deterioration, and the collapse of social services. The heightened U.S. presence in the area, in connection with the military action in Afghanistan, is likely to unsettle the situation further, even while bolstering the incumbent regime.

This survey of political, economic, and social developments in Central Asia offers geopolitical context, unparalleled coverage, and analytical depth to our understanding of a region that can no longer be safely ignored.