{"product_id":"2940148525158","title":"TURKMENISTAN AND CENTRAL ASIA AFTER NIYAZOV","description":"On December 21, 2006, President Sapirmurat Niyazov,\u003cbr\u003eTurkmenistan’s all-powerful leader suddenly died. His\u003cbr\u003edeath led to a succession that was evidently dominated\u003cbr\u003eby the secret police whose nominee, Gurbanguly\u003cbr\u003eBerdymukhammedov, has established himself as president.\u003cbr\u003eBecause Central Asia is a cockpit of great power rivalry\u003cbr\u003eand a potential theater in the Global War on Terrorism,\u003cbr\u003eno sooner had Niyazov died than the great powers were\u003cbr\u003eseeking to influence Turkmenistan’s future policies\u003cbr\u003eaway from the neutrality that had been Niyazov’s policy.\u003cbr\u003eTurkmenistan’s importance lies almost exclusively in its\u003cbr\u003elarge natural gas holdings and proximity to the Caspian Sea\u003cbr\u003eand Iran. Because energy is regarded as a strategic asset,\u003cbr\u003eRussia, Iran, China, and the United States have been visibly\u003cbr\u003eengaged in competition for influence. The outcome of this\u003cbr\u003ecompetition and of the domestic struggle for power will\u003cbr\u003ehave repercussions throughout Central Asia.\u003cbr\u003eIn this monograph, Dr. Stephen Blank shows the linkage\u003cbr\u003ebetween energy and security policies in Central Asia and\u003cbr\u003ein the policies of the major powers towards Central Asia.\u003cbr\u003eBeyond this analysis, he provides recommendations for U.S.\u003cbr\u003epolicymakers as to how they should conduct themselves\u003cbr\u003ein this complex situation. This monograph continues SSI’s\u003cbr\u003efocus not just on Central Asia, but on regional security\u003cbr\u003eissues in the contemporary world.","brand":"ReadCycle","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47181852901616,"sku":"2940148525158","price":2.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/7593\/9824\/files\/2940148525158_p0.jpg?v=1763703704","url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/2940148525158","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}