Since Soviet collapse the independent republics of Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan Tajikistan Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan have faced tremendous political economic and security challenges. Focusing on these five republics this textbook analyzes the contending understandings of the politics of the past present and future transformations of Central Asia including its place in international security and world politics. Analysing the transformation that independence has brought and tracing the geography history culture identity institutions and economics of Central Asia it locates âthe politicalâ in the region. A comprehensive examination of the politics of Central Asia this insightful book is of interest both to undergraduate and graduate students of Asian Politics Post-Communist Politics Comparative Politics and International Relations and to scholars and professionals in the region. . Language: English