A. Sait Sönmez Abstract

 
General Evaluation and the Conclusion 
In this study, in which the course of US-Uzbekistan relations within the period of some twenty years 
wase discussed security problems are considered as the fundamental element affecting the bilateral 
relations. In the first years of independence, Tashkent tried to come closer to the USA so as to 

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A.Sait Sönmez
ALTERNATIVES TURKISH JOURNAL OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS www.alternetivesjournal.net
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overcome the domestic and external security problems they confronted. In response to this, the USA, 
not considering Central Asia as region of prime importance, did not develop a comprehensive policy 
towards Central Asian countries, including Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan’s primary expectation was based 
on the theses of realist arguments such as powerful state, mighty army, territorial integrity, 
independence and suppressed opposition. In this period, the USA, also considering the interests of the 
multi-national companies in the region, tried to encourage the countries in the region to adopt liberal 
values such as free market economy, democratization, rule of law and human rights. With the end of 
the bipolar system, the Central Asia was much more a subordinate region for Washington, which was 
trying to fill the vacuum of power that emerged in the Middle East, the Balkans and Eastern Europe. 
Along with the increase of the Central Asia’s geopolitical importance following the 
September 11
th
attacks, Washington increased its relations with authoritarian administrations 
including Uzbekistan in particular, by putting its liberal values and ideas aside. In this period, US-
Uzbekistan relations reached to the level of strategic partnership. The real factor in forming this 
partnership is common enemies such as the Taliban, Al Qaeda and IMU. However, emergence of the 
Colour Revolutions in the former Soviet republics, supported by the USA, turned these relations 
upside-down. In particular, the acquisitions that the USA obtained in Central Asia aftermath of 
September 11
th
, greatly reversed in the wake of the Andijan riot. Particularly, the USA lost power and 
prestige in Central Asia when its bases closed in Uzbekistan. On the other hand, the regional 
hegemonic position of both Russia and China increased after these events. Yet, the Russian-centered 
threats for Uzbekistan administration did not diminish. Threats of Russian origin can be summarized 
as follows: Russia’s interfering in Uzbekistan’s domestic affairs, its creating dependence on Moscow 
and preventing Tashkent’s actions to contrast with Moscow’s interests. Thus, Uzbekistan tried to 
emend her relations with the USA and the EU instead of unilateral dependence to Moscow. Even 
though some possible developments have been witnessed in the recent period on this matter, it seems 
difficult to reach the strategic partnership level that happened aftermath of the September 11
th
. In fact, 
both sides doubt each another. There is only one reason for the relations to be improved partially: 
Uzbekistan’s geopolitical location. 
Considering the developments after September 11
th
, it can be suggested that fundamentalist 
activities and security problems such, as terrorism in the region, which are Afghanistan origin, are the 
main factors to determine the shape of US-Uzbekistan relations in the long term. Some scenarios are 
in question regarding the new policies of the US toward the region, which is preparing to withdraw 
from Afghanistan. Doubtless, these new policies will affect America’s relations with Uzbekisan as 
well. The first scenario is the US continuing to perceive radical activities as the main security 
problem. On such an occasion, the USA will follow the developments in this country even if it 
withdraws from Afghanistan, and accordingly, will try to enhance its relations with Central Asian 
administrations including Uzbekistan. 
The second scenario is that the US will not deal with developments in the region after 
withdrawing from Afghanistan. The stagnation recently experienced in the foreign policy of the USA, 
having lost its power and prestige after the invasion of Iraq and having experienced a great economic 
crisis in 2009, attracts attention. After all, it is a remote possibility for Washington, engaged in the 
Arab Spring and Iran’s nuclear program, to be involved in developments in Afghanistan, so long as 
they do not pose a direct threat to them. In such a case, the geopolitical position of Uzbekistan will 
lose its importance for Washington. If this is the case, there will be no option for Uzbekistan, again 
alone with the security threats from Afghanistan origin, to turn back to Russia and China. 
The third scenario is, related to the transformation experienced in the international system. In 
the post-Cold War period, the USA remained “unrivalled” for a period as sole super power in the 
world. However, many countries became a potential rivals to the USA in the long run by catching a 

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The Effects of Security Problems on the USA- Uzbekistan Relations 
Vol. 11, No. 3, Fall 2012
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rapid growth trend. Of these countries, in view of Russia and China’s increasing influence in the 
Central Asia, it will be possible for the USA to support radical movements (which they fought before) 
in the region, by implementing a strategy similar to the Green Belt project in the Cold War period. 
Although such a scenario can seemed a distant possibility, it can be suggested that considering the 
fact that radical movements took part in the Arab Spring and those movements mobilized with the 
secret support of the USA, a similar situation might be experienced in the Central Asia. In such a 
case, US-Uzbek relations might worsen. However, Uzbekistan, because of its geopolitical position, 
will become important again for the USA in the event that a policy like “containment” is 
implemented together with the international community against Iran, Russia or China.