Peter Nasuti, a Graduate Research Assistant at the Institute for Global Engagement and former Peace Corps Uzbekistan volunteer, has an interesting article on politics and Islam in Uzbekistan.
The Uzbek government has predictably blamed the disturbances in the town of Andijon on Islamic militants and justified its crackdown in the name of stability. International observers have described poverty, rather than Islamic radicalism, as the motivation for the protests, and many of them have stressed the traditionally moderate role of Islam in the region. While this analysis is probably correct, it should be understood that cultural forms of Islam may be insufficient to meet the challenges of life in Uzbekistan, and therefore the growth of “political Islam” should not necessarily be equated with a victory for terrorism.
The entire piece is definitely worth a read.
Unrelated, but I’m really taking off now. Turning in the cable modem soon and then hitting the road as soon as possible.
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