Central Asia & Caucasus

Strengthening Regional Cooperation in Central Asia / Central Asian States Disaster Response Conference 2003 Prof Bernard F Griffard, LTC Curtis W Turner, Prof Bert B Tussing Issue Paper by the US Army War College, Center for Strategic Leadership "The world continues to get smaller, and the neighborhoods that it is composed of are becoming more dependent upon one another. Today’s threats to stability are trans-national in nature and rarely contained within the borders of one country. In most cases the consequences of a major terrorist action or environmental disaster will quickly overwhelm the management capability and response assets of the affected nation. When that occurs the maintenance of stability relies on effective regional, and if required, international assistance. A government that attempts to “go it alone” in today’s environment runs the risk of losing the confidence of its citizens and, as a result, its viability. As part of the United States’ active efforts to forge new, productive international relationships to meet the challenges of the 21st century, encouraging stronger regional ties where few currently exist is a key policy initiative."

Partnering for Environmental Security in Central Asia and the Caspian Region Arthur L Bradshaw, Dr Kent H Butts, Prof Bernard F Griffard, COL Jeffrey C Reynolds Study by the US Army War College, Center for Strategic Leadership, U.S. Central Command the Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Environmental Security " 'Partnering for Environmental Security Cooperation in Central Asia and the Caspian Basin' was a U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) conference cosponsored by the Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Environmental Security (DUSD-ES), the Center for Strategic Leadership (CSL) of the U.S. Army War College, and the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies, and hosted by the Marshall Center at the Armed Forces Recreation Center, Chiemsee, Germany. "

Growing U.S. Security Interests in Central Asia Dr Elizabeth Wishnick Monograph by the US Army War College, Strategic Studies Institute "Among the many changes brought to American security policy by the attacks of September 11, 2001, is a shift in the strategic geography. Regions and nations that had been at the periphery of concern have taken on new importance because of their relationship to terrorists and the states that sponsor them. Nowhere is this more true than in Central Asia. Until recently, the United States paid very little attention to Central Asia. Now the combination of energy reserves and the region’s location has increased its strategic significance a great deal."

Partnering for Environmental Security Cooperation in Central Asia and the Caspian Basin Dr Kent H Butts, COL Jeffrey C Reynolds Issue Paper by the US Army War College, Center for Strategic Leadership "The Central Asian region encompasses Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. These newly independent republics, as well as the Transcaucasus states of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia, have become increasingly important to the United States’ national security interests. Decades of mineral exploitation, inefficient water use, and environmental neglect have left the region scarred—this environmental damage continues to threaten the stability of these new nations. Environmental Security has the potential to become a catalyst for multilateral cooperation and a powerful enabler for U.S. regional policy and security interests."

Russian National Security: Perceptions, Policies, and Prospects Michael H Crutcher Study by the US Army War College, Center for Strategic Leadership "This anthology is the result of a conference titled “Russian National Security: Perceptions, Policies, and Prospects,” held at the Collins Center of the Army War College’s Center for Strategic Leadership from 4 through 6 December 2000."

Jihadi Groups, Nuclear Pakistan, and the New Great Game Dr M Ehsan Ahrari Monograph by the US Army War College, Strategic Studies Institute "In this monograph, Dr. Ehsan Ahrari, of the Armed Forces Staff College, assesses Jihadi groups from the framework of a new “Great Game” for influence in Central Asia involving an array of states. He argues that, if this competition leads to increased violence, outside states including the United States could be drawn in. On the other hand, if the region stabilizes, it could provide solid economic and political partners for the United States. A well-designed American strategy, Ahrari contends, might help avoid crises or catastrophe."

Promoting Stability in Central Asia Prof Bernard F Griffard Issue Paper by the US Army War College, Center for Strategic Leadership "Central Asia and the Caspian Basin are the legatees of the Russian Empire’s and the former Soviet Union’s shortsighted extraction economy policies. As a result, these nations face environmental challenges unlike any other region in the world. A major natural or man-made disaster in any single country can threaten the fresh water supply and/or public health across the whole region. Such a major environmental disaster is a credible threat to national and regional stability. "

Responding to Environmental Challenges in Central Asia and the Caspian Basin (Summary) Dr Kent H Butts, Prof Bernard F Griffard Issue Paper by the US Army War College, Center for Strategic Leadership "Conference planners faced the challenge that the number of issues dividing the Central Asia Republics is greater than those uniting them. It was necessary to identify a vehicle from which key issues could be addressed without being confrontational. Using the environmental security issue of disaster response planning as the primary topic, the conference clarified the environmental issues central to the security of the region and emphasized the importance of both military environmental stewardship and cooperative contingency planning in responding to these threats."

Responding to Environmental Challenges in Central Asia and the Caspian Basin Arthur L Bradshaw, Dr Kent H Butts, Prof Bernard F Griffard, LTC Edward L Hughes Study by the US Army War College, Center for Strategic Leadership "Following the success of the Environmental Security Conference held in Oman in April 2000, U.S. Central Command conducted an Environmental Security Conference for Central Asia and the Caspian Basin from March 6-8, 2001 in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany. The event was cosponsored by the Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Installations and Environment (DUSD-I&E), the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies, and the Center for Strategic Leadership (CSL) of the U.S. Army War College."