Central Asia–Afghanistan Relationship

Central Asia is a relatively understudied neighbor of Afghanistan. The region is often placed into a number of historical and political contexts—a section of the Silk Road, a pawn in the “Great Game,” the “spillover” state that exemplifies the failure of US foreign policy—that limit scholarly understanding. This edited volume contributes by providing a broad, long-term analysis of the Central Asia–Afghanistan relationship over the last several decades. It addresses the legacy of Soviet intervention with a unique first-hand selection of interviews of former Soviet Central Asian soldiers that fought in the Soviet–Afghan War. It examines Afghanistan’s norther neighbors, discussing Russia, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan—their strategy for Afghanistan, their perception of challenges and opportunities of the country, and patterns of cooperation and conflict. The collection also looks at recent US strategic initiatives in the region, in particular the New Silk Road Initiative that envisions a growing Central Asia–South Asia connection.

This book is a wonderful study that tackles a question most Central Asia experts sidestep: What does being in Afghanistan’s neighborhood mean exactly? Marlene Laruelle has convened a unique group of experts to answer this question head on and, along the way, channels her deep knowledge of Central Asia and Russia to Afghanistan. The result is an excellent collection of essays that temper predictions of a region on the verge of collapse and make it clear that Afghanistan’s neighbors have been no more and no less difficult to live next to than Afghanistan itself. The book is thought-provoking reading for the world’s diplomats who will inevitably have to rethink policies in Central Asia and Afghanistan in the coming years., In this timely and well-edited volume, The Central Asia–Afghanistan Relationship: From Soviet Intervention to the Silk Road Initiatives, Marlene Laruelle brings together a diverse group of academics and regional experts to explain the often overlooked dynamics that exist between Afghanistan and its northern neighbors. The contributions offer a range of perspectives on the often tumultuous relationships Afghanistan has had (and hopes to have) with the states of Central Asia. Often, these were framed by the actions of outside powers, but increasingly, the countries themselves are shaping it. In this volume, the contributors demonstrate intimate knowledge of the region, providing data, explanations of events, and more locally-derived explanations for what has transpired over the past several decades. Historians and policy experts—especially those who are working to bring stability and connectivity to Afghanistan—will find Marlene Laruelle’s latest effort to be essential reading., The long understudied and misunderstood set of relationships, current trends, and threats in Central Asia and Afghanistan point to what is likely to be a regional security flashpoint that may abruptly surprise us all. Marlene Laruelle has brought together some of the world's top scholars on Central Asia and Afghanistan to produce this authoritative look at this region and its fragile security relationships. This collection should be a must read for those studying the region.

Marlene Laruelle is research professor, director of the Central Asia Program, and associate director of the Institute for European, Russian, and Eurasian Studies (IERES) at the Elliott School of International Affairs of George Washington University.