Central Asia's great base race

Anyone examining contemporary security issues in Central Asia and the Caucasus quickly comes to the conclusion that security has become increasingly militarized. This growth of military power, influence and ambition is taking place in many ways, but a key theme is the scramble by major foreign powers for military bases in the strategically vital region.

The search for bases preceded the September 11 terrorist attacks in the United States, but since then the rush for foreign bases has accelerated. Indeed, it has become a focal point of the many international rivalries that now dot these areas. And it appears likely to divide the region into rival proxies for the major military powers.

Given the enormous potential for conflict inherent throughout the former Soviet Union, this can only be a dangerous trend. While the forces at these bases may or may not perform combat operations, they are visible tokens of the foreign state's influence, and equally important, support for the host regime. Foreign states seek bases to project their influence as well as military power, and weak host states want them to increase domestic support against challengers and to obtain tangible protection from powerful patrons.
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