Making the Most of Central Asian Partnerships

• Main Author: Goldstein, Lyle J.
• Other Authors: NATIONAL DEFENSE UNIV WASHINGTON DC CENTER FOR COUNTERPROLIFERATION RESEARCH
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 2002
• Subjects: Government and Political Science; Military Forces and Organizations; Military Operations; Strategy and Tactics; *MILITARY FORCES(UNITED STATES); *MILITARY ASSISTANCE; *MILITARY FORCES(FOREIGN); *POLITICAL ALLIANCES; *COOPERATION; NATO; REPRINTS; STABILITY; MILITARY FACILITIES; UNITED STATES; GOVERNMENT(FOREIGN); ISLAM; RUSSIA; MILITARY TRAINING; COUNTERTERRORISM; INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS; DEMOCRACY; AFGHANISTAN; KIRGYZIA; TAJIKISTAN; KAZAKHSTAN; UZBEKISTAN; TURKMENISTAN; PEACEKEEPING; *CENTRAL ASIA; ENDURING FREEDOM OPERATION; NORTHERN ALLIANCE; TALIBAN; AIR BASES; FORWARD BASING; PFP(PARTNERSHIP FOR PEACE); REGIONAL SECURITY; IMU(ISLAMIC MOVEMENT OF UZBEKISTAN); CENTCOM(CENTRAL COMMAND); CENTRASBAT(CENTRAL ASIAN PEACEKEEPING BATTALION); SUFISM; HANAFI SUNNIS; HUMAN RIGHTS; North Atlantic
• Online Access: http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/ADA426798; http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=ADA426798

Afghanistan demonstrated the global reach and fighting effectiveness of the Armed Forces. Although the operations being carried out in that war warrant praise, less noticeable efforts by military leaders and diplomatic officials can be easily overlooked. In fact, the deployment to Central Asia during this latest crisis was the culmination of years of preparation. As the first important American presence in the former Soviet Union, Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) signals revolutionary change for the security of the Central Asian region. A brainchild of General John Shalikashvili before he was named Chairman, the Partnership for Peace (PFP) program was adopted by the North Atlantic Alliance in January 1994. Its objectives are supporting transparency, promoting democratic control of the military, increasing the readiness and capabilities of partner nations to cope with crises, generating cooperative relations with NATO, and developing forces to operate within the Alliance. Early critics faulted the program as lacking in substance and as a political smokescreen for indecision on expansion. However, the three exercises conducted in its first year illustrated that PIP would function in the realm of action, not just words. Despite economic and social problems, the newly independent states of Central Asia proved to be enthusiastic participants in the PFP program. Kazakh and Kyrgyz troops took part in Cooperative Nugget at Fort Polk in 1995, a peacekeeping exercise, and soon officers from the new states were attending military schools in the United States. Both NATO and Central Asian leaders agreed to form the Central Asian Peacekeeping Battalion (CENTRASBAT) in late 1995, one of seven regional units organized under the PIP. This article details cooperation between Central Asia and the United States in preparation for OEF, including military training and joint exercises. Also discussed is the states' relationship with NATO and Russia, religion, and politics. Published in Joint Force Quarterly, p82-90, Summer 2002. The original document contains color images.