Institute of Social and Cultural Engineering

Different Causes, Consequences, and Implications of United States Military Bases in the Region of Central Asia

  (Aditya Sengupta, Author)

Central Asian region is one of most demanding geopolitical significant area in the global politics. Comprised of five states, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, Central Asia's newly enhanced strategic importance stems from several other factors, ranging from trans-national threats posed by Islamic extremism, drug production and trafficking, to the geopolitical threats inherent in the region's location as a crossroads between Russia, Southwest Asia and China. Although the U.S. military presence in the region began before September 11th, the region became an important platform for the projection of U.S. military power against the Taliban in neighbouring Afghanistan. U.S. policy makers and others hold various views on the appropriate types and levels of U.S. involvement in the region. Some have argued that ties with “energy behemoth” Kazakhstan are crucial to U.S. interests.7 Others have argued that Uzbekistan is the “linchpin” of the region (it is the most populous regional state and is centrally located, shaping the range and scope of regional cooperation) and should receive the most U.S. attention. The US had established temporary bases in Uzbekistan, which closed in 2005, and Kyrgyzstan, which closed in 2014, when foreign troops initially invaded Afghanistan in 2001 and toppled 5 years of Taliban rule, aided in part by the buy-in from Russia and China in support of the US and NATO mission.
 
If we are talk about the causes of U.S. Military presence in the region of Central Asia, then there are so many causes :
 
§  Strategic Importance :   Central Asia is a region, which is rich in natural resources and energy raw materials. Many global players having interests towards it. United States Military Bases in Central Asia basically provides a safeguard for American interests and counter Islamic threads within this region with operating an joint stabilizing mission.
 
§  Counterterrorism Efforts : United States has established military bases to support counter terrorism in Central Asia aftermath of 9/11 attack. After the 9/11 attack, United States started funding for any terror thread within any region. America declared “Attack on Terror” and take various initiatives through collaborating with different regional and international level organization. In the region of Central Asia, there had a problem of growing ‘Radical Islam’ sentiment and United States have been trying to counter growing radical sentiments by providing fundings, arms and negotiations for dialogue to different central Asian states.  
 
§  Transitioning from Europe : United States military bases in Central Asia can provide a complementary or alternative location to bases in Europe, offering flexibility and adaptability in responding to regional and global security challenges.
 
United States military bases in Central Asia, also has many consequences :
 
§  Regional Dynamics :  United States military bases has reached to enhance regional tensions as many players are engaged in this region due to many causes (either it energy materials, market or cultural boundaries). Central Asian states has now facing affects from balance of power and various regional tensions, crimes.
 
§  Sovereignty Concerns : Many central Asian states arises question that the presence of foreign military bases as a violation of their sovereignty and potentially leading to diplomatic strains.
 
§  Regional Cooperation : The establishment of foreign military bases of foreign countries must effects towards neighbour’s relations and it’s also seen as suspicious or concern issue.
 
United States military bases in Central Asia have various implications :
 
§  Economic Empowerment : The presence of military bases can have economic implications, including financial benefits for the host country through  infrastructure development and job creation.
 
§  Domestic Politics :   The existence of foreign military bases in Central Asia created tensions in this region. Many people do protests, involving terror activities to throw away foreign involvement.
 
§  Diplomatic Relations : Military Bases of United States, can influence host countries diplomatic relations. U.S. involvement in Central Asia has impacted over many other states relations like China, Russia, Turkey, Iran and others.
 
 
Central Asian region is so much crucial for major global powers especially of United States after established government by Taliban in Afghanistan and tension increases after itself.