In 1997, geopolitical scientist Zbigniew Brzezinski pointed out that the primary concern of the United States is to ensure that the five Central Asian countries are not controlled by any single power, so as to promote the free flow of global finance. Central Asia became the Balkans of Eurasia, a place where great powers, religions, and races clashed.
1. The history of the five Central Asian countries.
The five Central Asian countries include Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. These five countries are adjacent to each other, closely linked in history, culture and geography, and are independent countries after the collapse of the former Soviet Union. In ancient times, Central Asia was inhabited by nomadic peoples, ruled by different empires, such as Persia, Macedonia, Kushan, Tang Dynasty, Arabia, Mongolia, Tsarist Russia, etc.
In the Tang Dynasty, Central Asia was part of the Tang Dynasty's Anxi Protectorate, and Li Bai's birthplace, Broken Leaf City, was located here. After the occupation of the Arab Empire, Islam prevailed. Until the 19th century, Tsarist Russia annexed Central Asia and became part of Russia. During the Soviet era, the five Central Asian countries had the opportunity to become "XXXSTAN Republics", but due to the situation faced by the Soviet Union and the consideration of dividing local autonomy, Central Asia was deliberately divided into five to create enclaves for control.
2. The five Central Asian countries in the eyes of the Soviet Union.
During Soviet times, Kazakhstan was considered the most important country. The USSR ensured that the population of ethnic Russians in Kazakhstan surpassed that of Kazakhs by means of "grants" of land, immigration, and the common Russian language. In the 1960s, the Soviet Union generously "gifted" to Kazakhstan five oblasts: Kostana, North Kazakhstan, Akmola, Karaganda, Pavlodar. This not only brought a large amount of land, but also introduced a large number of ethnic Russians, which directly weakened the local ethnic Kazakh population.
The Soviet Union also introduced immigrants of various nationalities and religions and restricted the use of the Kazakh language, resulting in more than 30% of Kazakhs not speaking Kazakh and 60% speaking only Russian. In addition, the USSR built the Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. By contrast, the other four countries provided more resources to the Soviet Union, which effectively controlled the entire Central Asian region through its control of Kazakhstan for land and population reasons.
3. The five Central Asian countries in the eyes of the United States.
After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the five Central Asian countries quickly became independent, and a power vacuum was formed, triggering an opportunity for the United States to intervene in Central Asia. Brzezinski believes that it would be better for the United States to intervene in Central Asia through Uzbekistan.
Uzbekistan: the key for the United States in Central Asia.
"Kazakhstan is a regional barrier, and Uzbekistan is the soul of the region's multi-ethnic awakening," Brzezinski noted. "Three reasons support Uzbekistan as an ideal link for U.S. involvement in Central Asia.
First of all, Uzbekistan has a large population, 75% of which are Uzbeks, making up a single population composition. Secondly, as the successor of the Timurid Empire, Uzbekistan has historical roots and ambitions. The Timurid Empire was once a powerful empire in Central Asia, while its capital, Samarkand, was located in Uzbekistan. Finally, there are ethnic and national border contradictions around Uzbekistan, and it is relatively easy for foreign powers to intervene. The borders set during the Soviet era to facilitate the rule of Central Asia became a source of contradictions between countries after the disintegration. There was a large number of Tajiks in the southern regions, dissatisfied with the borders drawn by the USSR.
Uzbekistan cooperates with the US military, opens its airspace and territory to it, and supports the US campaign against Iraq. In addition, Uzbekistan has abundant mineral deposits, the fourth largest in the world. As a result, the United States sees Uzbekistan as the key to exerting influence in Central Asia.
Fourth, the current situation of the five Central Asian countries.
At present, four of the five Central Asian countries have joined the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, with the only exception being Turkmenistan. In order to avoid getting involved in conflicts and disputes, Turkmenistan chose to become a permanently neutral country. Despite its arid land, its abundant oil and gas resources make it an important geopolitical player. China and Turkey have established a comprehensive strategic partnership and have completed three pipelines of the China-Central Asia Natural Gas Pipeline, A, B, and C.
Tajikistan is the only non-Turkic country among the five Central Asian countries, with an area comparable to China's Anhui Province, and has rich mineral and water resources. Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan often clashed over the country's borders, ethnicity, ethnicity, ethnicity, and ethnicity. Kyrgyzstan has abundant water resources, second only to Tajikistan among the five Central Asian countries.
Central Asia has always been the transportation hub of the Eurasian continent and the main route of the Silk Road since ancient times. Modern Central Asia, located between Russia, China, India, and Iran, is an important strategic buffer zone in the post-Cold War era. The region is rich in oil and gas resources and is known as the "second Middle East".
Epilogue. 
The geopolitical struggle and resource struggle among the five Central Asian countries have become the focus of global attention. Kazakhstan has a prominent historical position, Uzbekistan has become the focus of attention of the United States, and Central Asia has become increasingly prominent on the world political stage. The forces of various countries are competing in this land, and who can occupy the commanding heights will affect the future geopolitical pattern.
The geopolitical pattern and resource competition of the five Central Asian countries are of great significance in international relations. The analysis of the influence of the Soviet Union on Kazakhstan and the choice of Uzbekistan by the United States in Central Asia is more detailed, presenting a complex and multi-layered political picture of Central Asia.
First, the influence of the Soviet era on Kazakhstan is a reflection of geopolitical tactics of power and control. Through "donations" of land, immigration, etc., the Soviet Union aimed to ensure absolute control over Central Asia, using Kazakhstan as a key strategic position. In the process, the Soviet Union succeeded in weakening the culture and language of the local ethnic Kazakhs by introducing ethnic Russians and other ethnic groups, as well as restricting the use of the Kazakh language, making it subordinate to Soviet power. This geopolitical maneuver played an important role in maintaining the unity and control of the Soviet Union.
Second, the United States chose Uzbekistan to intervene in Central Asia, highlighting the geopolitical importance of the Central Asian region. Brzezinski saw Uzbekistan as an ideal link for U.S. involvement in Central Asia, mainly because of its large population, relatively homogeneous composition, and historical background of the Timurid Empire. This makes Uzbekistan a country of potential geostrategic value. Uzbekistan's support to the United States after 911 further deepened its position in American strategy. This shows the complex situation of power struggle and cooperation among international powers in Central Asia.
Finally, the current situation of the five Central Asian countries demonstrates the importance of the region in today's global political landscape. The fact that Turkmenistan has chosen to permanently remain neutral, as mentioned in the article, reflects the flexibility of these countries in dealing with geopolitical relations. The abundance of resources in Central Asia, especially oil and natural gas, makes it crucial for countries to control and cooperate in the region.
Generally speaking, the geopolitical landscape of the five Central Asian countries is full of complexities, and the wrestling and competition between the countries in this region reflects the trend of multipolarization in world politics. Known as the "Balkans of Eurasia", this region will continue to play an important role in international politics in the future and become the focus of the game and cooperation among major powers.
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