Publication

This paper examines the impact of ethnicity on the armed forces of the Central Asian states by first summarizing the ethnic composition of the five republics, then examining the legacy of Soviet ethnic policy upon Central Asia. It then considers ways in which different newly-independent states have created their military institutions and handled the issue of ethnicity within their armed forces. Finally, it examines the possible role the US can play in assisting the armed forces of Central Asia to learn how to manage diversity and thus promote stability in the region.