NCJ Number
190405
Journal
Jane's Intelligence Review Volume: 13 Issue: 9 Dated: September 2001 Pages: 23-25
Editor(s)
Christopher C. Aaron
Date Published
September 2001
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This article examined the political and security implications of ill-defined regional borders of the Soviet Union era on Central Asian republics.
Abstract
This article addressed the potential security problems over borders and their implications for Central Asia. The deteriorating socio-economic and political conditions and the rising problems of drug trafficking and Islamic militancy have combined to undermine Central Asia’s security. In the early months of 2001, the unstable security environment was compounded by rising tensions along regional borders. The ill-defined borders of the Soviet Union era became one of its most destructive legacies. Following their independence, a major task facing the Central Asian republics was to ensure that their national boundaries were demarcated. Despite over a decade of several demarcation border agreements including Kazakhstan and China, Kyrgyzstan and China, and Kazakhstan and Kyrgystan, from 1996 to 2001 tension in the region continued to rise. This can be partially explained by the general perceptions of deteriorating regional stability and conflicting political agendas. It was summarized that the security of Central Asia’s borders could have far-reaching consequences.