Asian Studies

The early nineteen hundreds found Uzbekistan instilling traditional values in the wake of impending rule of the Russians.  Even amidst the continuous attacks from the Russians as they humiliated the Uzbeks by taking their most prized possessions. They were on display as an act of humiliation against the Uzbeks to bring them shame and advertise how they had been conquered (Akramkhanov, 1998). 
The Uzbeks were used to being conquered, having been conquered multiple times before from the 14th through the 19th centuries.  Those who had conquered them included such legends as Alexander the Great, the Arabs, Seljuk Turks of Khwarzam, Genghis Kahn, Tamarlane, the Timurids, and the Uzbeks.  They held onto their belief system enabling the preserving of their identity passed on throughout the generations.  They themselves came from a long line of outlaws so cruel that their name was associated with fear and villainy (Akramkhanov, 1998). 

     They were an Asian civilization disbanded throughout time.  Thought to be Moguls during the Mongol age and Sarts a term for distinguishing multiethnic dwellers from nomads, at the end of the 1400s, they were a dispersed people who stood steadfast in their roots (Akramkhanov, 1998). 
They retained their identity and held fast to their beliefs withstanding the onslaught of the Russians in 1917, until their defeat officially by Russian rule in 1924.  The Uzbekistan people were deeply rooted in the culture of the Islamic faith.  They withstood the tyranny and censorship of the Russians even withstanding the Russians attempts to undermine their traditional ideals and beliefs (Akramkhanov, 1998).  

Russian Rule in the 1900s
Russia took control of Central Asia in 1917, working their way in an erratic pattern to secure more regions under their control.  They were accepted by many Central Asians, who accepted them openly being tired of the present rule, with just as many opposing it.  Russia took over the country and immediately began to drain the very essence of the soil in extracting anything worth value from the land (Smitha, 2003).

The concentration was on developing an irrigation system that would expedite the growth of cotton, but all that they managed to do was to wear out the soil and dry up the rivers.  They were extremely aggressive in their venture and thus self-defeating to their purpose.  The Russians had an agenda and just as aggressively repressed all Muslim religion, making the official language that of Russia (Smitha, 2003).

They succeeded in an industrial upscale moving the factories to Central Asia.  They hired workers from around the region with exception of the Uzbeks.  The Russians attempt to break the spirit of the Uzbeks was apparent, as they repressed everything that the Uzbeks stood for.  Yet, for all they did to repress these people, nothing could enter and deter the drive of Uzbeks or defeat their belief system of the Islamic Religion (Smitha, 2003).

The Uzbeks retaliated in seeking some control by reporting more cotton harvested than was true.  The Russians found out and removed all Uzbek workers.  This resulted in even more friction between them.  The Russians now viewed all Uzbeks as corrupt (Smitha, 2003).  By 1998, Russian rule was growing weaker.  It would not be long before Central Asia would be free of Russian control. 

The cause and effect of the decline of Russian rule in 1998, stemmed from retaliating violence over ethnic proprieties.  The Afghans defeated the Russians with stealth and a show of power.  They formed alliances with groups such as Pakistanis, Saudi Arabia, and Chechnya and succeeded in gaining control.  They then designated leader Islam Karimov in 1990, and soon after Uzbekistans announced they were an independent country.    In accordance with all of the recent changes, Karimov soon set the economy straight so there would be no need to deal with the Russians.  The main problem with the efforts of Karimov, were that they continued to follow Russian rule of strong central control which only gave cause for concern as they were all viewed as corrupt and therefore not trustworthy (Smitha, 2003). 

Uzbekistan after Soviet Rule
There is increased Islamic participation of the region.  After the attacks by Afghanistan
Russia left the country and the Uzbek founded the IMU, Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan.  This movement was going strong as they began trading with Afghanistan, and becoming more integrated with the economy (Smitha, 2003). 

             New excitement radiated in the veins of these people, as with the removal of Russians, the Uzbek were now free to pray and worship to their hearts content.  No longer repressed they joyously rose to the occasion, with a renewed sense of their identity.  They had become quite close to the Afghanistans, so close in fact that when the United States went to war with Afghanistan in 2001, the Uzbek quickly joined in the battle against the United States in assisting Afghanistan.  The outlook is that though Uzbek is keeping its cool, there is something going on behind the scenes.  There are issues festering below the surface by Uzbek.  These will be addressed and in time come to be known.   Free from communism, they can become even stronger in their faith by being victorious over democracy and capitalism.  They are free to embrace the Nation of Islam, and do so twenty-four hours a day (Smitha, 2003).
Uzbekistan Today in a Modern World

             Taliban is in control following the exploits of young men are led to believe that to die for their cause is to be adored by Allah, and a Martyr to their people.  They are enticed by receiving mens toiletries that normally are not available.  The area retains its reference to being corrupt as drug trafficking and terrorists are the number one commodities.  Trafficking and terrorism are the only occupations available.  Uzbekistans ties to Afghanistan ensure that they have the best in ample supplies of premium drugs consisting of opium, poppies, and heroin (Anonymous, 2010).

            Uzbekistan is as an ally to Taliban and ties to Al-Qaida.  They are on an economic decline, as they do not have any legitimate products in which to bolster their economy.  Because of this 80 of the population is living in poverty.   There is not much chance of a peaceful conciliation with the United States in light of 911.  What Uzbekistan needs to do is to become more critical and investment increased to civil society in order to stem long-term damage to Western credibility in this predominately Muslim region (Anonymous, 2010).