Uzbekistan's war for terror

Having lived in Uzbekistan in the mid-90’s it has always been close to my heart. The bad news currently emanating from Uzbekistan though is at risk of being brushed over, and easily forgotten - as were the riots and killings in the early 90’s in the newly created Khirghiz part of the Ferghana valley, after the break-up of the Soviet Union.

This is a disaster that has a sense of inevitability about it, in that eventually the Uzbek regime would lash out against any protest that threatened the legitimacy of the state. And, as a strategic ally of the USA, they know they can get away with it (for now). Eventually, probably 5-10 years from now, you can foresee a day that once the crimes start piling up the USA will eventually get around to sorting out the dictator they once supported, ala Saddam Hussein (once, or if, they have Afghanistan and Iraq under control). Mind you, by then they may have more pressing concerns in Iran or North Korea, or some other hotspot that is considered strategically more important. Being the world’s policeman is not an easy job, and with other countries that could play a role, happy to let the USA bear the responsibility (particularly if good business can be done thanks to an USA self imposed embargo, ala France and Iran), there will probably be little respite for the Uzbek populace for many years.

A good source for information about the regime's crackdown on protestors and the fallout in Andijan can be found here.