Rethinking American Policy in Central Asia

The enemy of my enemy is my friend................not so much.

With the authoritarian regimes of Central Asia amassing less than stellar human rights records, it is small wonder that Islamic fundamentalist groups have found supporters and willing recruits among the increasingly desperate and destitute peoples throughout the region. The regimes' oppressive and brutal tactics may root out members of some of the more militant groups, but peaceful Islamic movements have also been caught in the crossfire as well as many innocent civilians. The continued abuse of human rights along with bureaucratic and economic mismanagement have contributed to an increasingly greater number of desperate people willing to support and/or fight for any alternative to the current regimes.....including fundamentalist groups committed to waging jihad against the West.

If the U.S. intends to make significant progress in the War on Terror, it should reduce the ability of Islamic militant groups to recruit followers by pressuring these regimes to initiate greater democratic reforms. Rooting out corruption, bureaucratic waste, and fiscal instability while promoting greater political freedoms and social programs are just a few of the critical elements required to create greater peace and stability throughout the region and diminish the appeal of militant Islamic groups.

Also, U.S. perceived largesse towards these corrupt, dictatorial, and dogmatic regimes only serves to further tarnish America's credibility as an exporter of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. In this war, American soft power abroad is as vital to battling Al Qaeda and other offshoot groups as much as military and intelligence gathering capabilities. Pressuring Central Asian regimes for greater reform will help to repair America's image abroad --- a necessity for garnering cooperation for any multilateral efforts in the future.