A Strategic Perspective of Uzbekistan’s Geopolitical Role in International Security and Regional Development Along the New Silk Road

Abstract

For thousands of years, the Silk Road was a major series of routes linking Eurasia, South Asia, and Western Europe sharing knowledge in science, medicine, and commercial trade. Due to its central location in Eurasia along the Silk Road, Uzbekistan now holds strategic advantage in economic development and global security by leveraging its logistical influence on the Silk Road infrastructure. Uzbekistan is considered a Global South nation but may evolve into an industrialized nation. Uzbekistan is located along the historic Silk Road and is our first country we will study along the New Silk Road. We explore how this country has developed since 1991, examine its ability to maintain economic and security interests in the region, and evaluate its potential to realize its national strategic goals as a key player along the New Silk Road and beyond. Our research thus far includes a thorough review of the literature. We also are evaluating our shared observations from Tashkent, Tbilisi, Washington, and from other sources. We validate and verify our data sources by continuing our conversations with subject matter experts in security and economic policies as well as those who may be involved in daily business transactions and public policy decisions in Uzbekistan. 

Our focus on Uzbekistan is the first in a research series of countries and cultures along the New Silk Road. We are planning to expand our work to include nations from Kazakhstan, Mongolia, and even Iran to learn how nation states along the historic Silk Road have developed and are functioning in the 21^st Century. As a baseline, geopolitically, Uzbekistan, as a Global South nation is well positioned to provide meaningful criteria for other Eurasian nations, as they too are at the right place in the East, and at the right time in history to experience transformational growth, stability and security across the region.