GLOBAL IMPLICATIONS OF ARAL SEA DESICCATION Dr. John C. K. Daly At the heart of the Aral Sea tragedy is a witch's brew of toxins. The Aral Sea region was the location where Soviet scientists field tested some of the world’s most toxic diseases and viruses. The region was also chosen for disposal of Soviet-engineered pathogens. The West must focus its attention on the ecological and biological implications of the Aral Sea debacle and help Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan resolve this crisis. Prolonged delay could lead to the spread of toxic diseases to the West in a form more virulent than anything seen since the Black Death.
UZBEKISTAN'S FOREIGN POLICY AND ITS DOMESTIC RESULTS Dr. Robert M. Cutler The lack of economic momentum in Uzbekistan has led to a general decline of great-power interest in the country. Uzbekistan's profile in international and regional diplomacy has fallen in turn. Its response could be called an "all directions" strategy as President Karimov looks for help from whatever direction of the compass he can find it. This policy risks manifesting as an "every man for himself" policy for Uzbekistani individuals in their everyday lives.
CENTRAL ASIA’S DEEPENING EAST ASIAN RELATIONS Prof. Stephen Blank Central Asian states and even some of the major external players, Russia and China, are engaging the major states of East Asia on an ever deeper basis. This engagement owes much to the East Asian states’ rising demand for secure energy supplies to sustain their reviving economies. It also reflects changes in evolving security relationships that are diversifying the Central Asian governments’ foreign policy agendas and helping them avoid the trap of excessive dependence upon foreign great powers.