China Xinjiang and Central Asia

<p>Central Asia and Xinjiang – the far north-western province of China – are of increasing international importance. The United States having established military bases in Central Asia after September 2001 has now become a force in what was previously predominantly a Russian sphere of influence; whilst China Russia and Iran all continue to exert strong influence. These external international influences have had a significant impact on local politics with the overthrow of a long-standing regime in Kyrgyzstan continued unrest and opposition to the current regime in Uzbekistan and the intensification of Chinese control in Xinjiang. </p><p>This book explores the effect of global and local dynamics across the region: global influences include the ‘War on Terror’ and international competition for energy resources; local dynamics include Islamic revival Central Asian nationalism drugs trafficking; economic development and integration. The authors argue that these multiple challenges in fact unite Xinjiang and Central Asia in a common struggle for identities and economic development.</p><p>This book provides a comprehensive overview of the region’s historical significance the contemporary international forces which affect the region and of current political economic and cultural developments. </p>