Religion and Politics in Central Asia, including AfghanistanSee also Iran. 1. Brief Introduction 1. Brief Introduction to Religion and Politics in Central Asia This section of the world derives its geopolitical importance from natural resources, especially oil, and from the fact that it links southern and western Asia. Recent history has also increased the global military significance of Afghanistan following the attack of the Soviet Union in 1979. The ensuing combat trained many Muslim fighters who later became operatives in other countries. Afghanistan has a population of over 28.4 million, with a growth rate of 2.63% (2009 est). The population is 80% Sunni Muslim, 19% Shiite Muslim, and 1% other. The tribal divisions are complicated: Pashtun 42%, Tajik 27%, Hazara 9%, Uzbek 9%, and many others 1-5%. The official languages are Afghan Persian (50%) and Pashtu (35%). By October 2009 the Taliban had staged a comeback and were pressing the government and NATO forces. The Soviets withdrew after ten years of fighting. In 1992 the Afghan Communist regime fell, and a civil war among the anti-Communist mujahideen erupted. In 1994 a Pakistani-sponsored movement, the Taliban, emerged to seek to unify the country under Islamist principles. The Taliban captured the capital Kabul in 1996 and most of the country outside the Northern Alliance strongholds by 1998. After the Twin Towers attack, the United States, Western Allies, and Northern Alliance attacked and defeated the Taliban for protecting Osama bin Laden. The Bonn Conference of November-December 2001 then established a process for political reconstruction. 2004 saw the adoption of a new constitution and the election of Hamid Karzai as president. The new National Assembly came into being in December 2005. Tribal connections still play a huge role in Afghani politics and society. The Taliban have again become a military danger, especially in the south and along the porous Pakistani border.The relationship of Islamic law and democracy remains an issue, since the new constitution affirms both. For example, the Ministry of Information five Indian soap operas (see below). Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan) share majority Muslim and minority Russian Orthodox religious traditions; traditional pastoral and semi-nomadic lifestyles; related, mainly Turkish, languages; and past Soviet rule and current migration to the Russian Federation. Global energy and resource demand has increased the importance of the area at the beginning of the twenty-first century. All but Turkmenistan joined Russia and China in forming the Shanghai Cooperative Organization in 2001. Iran, India, Pakistan, and Mongolia have permanent observer status. At the June 2006 meeting, President Karzai of Afghanistan also attended. The organization was founded as a counterweight to U.S. influence in the region, but China especially does not want to project an anti-U.S. image. China stresses its ability to act as a mediator between the West and countries like Iran. Certainly, most of the SCO members do not have robust democratic institutions. Hanson (2006), pp. 211-15, discusses “Afghanistan: Through the Passes Into Central Asia.” 2. A Short Introductory Course to Religion and Politics in Central Asia Goodson provides a description of the Afghan war to 2001. Marsden relates the rise and the nature of the Taliban. Hosseini's novel provides an excellent introduction into the human costs of the struggles since the early 1970s. Mortenson's story of educational development gives the foreign a good sense of the possibilities and social dynamics. Goodson, Larry P. Afghanistan’s Endless War: State Failure, Regional Politics, and the Rise of the Taliban (Seattle: University of Washington Press, 2001). Marsden, Peter. The Taliban: War, Religion, and the New Order in Afghanistan (London: Zed Books Ltd., 1998). Hosseini, Khaled. A Thousand Splendid Suns (New York: Riverhead Books, 2007). The second novel, covering Afghanistan from the Soviet invasion through the defeat of the Taliban, from the author of Kite Runner. While the Taliban are excoriated, and the effect of tribal mores on the two main characters, Miriam and Laila, illustrated often, Islamic values and spirituality are treated sympathetically. The novel's most altruistic character is the Mullah Faizullah. Mortenson, Greg, and Relin, David Oliver. Three Cups of Tea (New York: Penguin, 2006). This best-seller narrates the story of the climber Greg Mortenson, who buildis girls schools in tribal Pakistan near the mountain K-2 and Afghanistan. The role of religion in the various cultures remains a subtheme throughout, as "Dr. Greg" overcomes two fatwas condemning education of girls, and receives strong support from the religious leader Syed Abbas. The book starts in the mid-1990s and covers until after the defeat of the Taliban. 3. Other Key Resource Materials See individual nations. 4. Recent Articles (a. Afghanistan; b. Regional Religion and Politics; c. Other Countries and Issues): a. Afghanistan “Return of Former Communists Stirs Up Afghan Elections,” New York Times, September 5, 2005. Analysis of campaign. “Islamists and Mujahedeen Secure Victory in Afghan Vote,” New York Times, October 23, 2005. “New parliament is likely to be divided and full of conflict.” Chart of background and eight power brokers, New York Times, December 4, 2005. “Kabul Judge Rejects Calls to End Trial of Christian Convert,” New York Times, March 24, 2006. Test case for 2004 Constitution which both calls Islam Afghanistan’s supreme law and grants its citizens religious freedom. Problem for both Bush and Karzai, Condi makes call. “Nation Faltering, Afghans’ Leader Draws Criticism,” New York Times, August 23, 2006. Problems with Karzai government, for example, corruption and compromises following May 29 riot. Resurgence of Taliban in south. Karzai described as “consummate tribal politician.” “At Border, Signs of Pakistani Role In Taliban Surge: Link to Religious Parties,” New York Times, January 21, 2007. Role of Inter-Services Intelligence and Military Intelligence, plus jihadist fervor for Afghan suicide bombers. "How the 'Good War' in Afghanistan Went Bad," New York Times, August 12, 2007. Analysis by David Rohde and David E. Sanger. "Taliban Push Poppy Production to a Record Again," New York Times, August 26, 2007. U.N. survey documents 45% increase. Southern Helmand Province produces more narcotics than any country on earth, including Myanmar, Morocco, and Colombia. "Afghan Clerics Warn Karzai Against Missionaries," New York Times, January 6, 2008. Islamic Council, made up of Islamic clergy and religious scholars from all over the country, warned the president about "missionary and atheistic" groups that it said were converting Afghans, stop television stations from showing Indian movies, and reinstate public executions as a crackdown against graft. Karzai instructed his government to address the demands, but did not commit himself to changes. "Afgan Ministry Bans the Broadcast of 5 Foreign Soap Operas," New York Times, April 22, 2008. "Taliban Leader, In a Comeback, Is Vexing U.S.," New York Times, October 11, 2009. What is known about the background of Mullah Omar and present whereabouts. He heads the Taliban's Rahbari Shura, but connection to day-to-day operations unclear. Taliban held together by loyalty to Omar and opposition to government and foreigners. b. Regioinal Religion and Politics “Hopeful Signs Appear in Solving a Post-Soviet Impass,” New York Times, February 2, 2006. Azerbaijan versus Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh. The Minsk Group (U.S., France, Russia) mediate under OSCE. “Shanghai Club, Once Obscure, Now Attracts Wide Interest,” New York Times, June 16, 2006. Founded five years ago by China, Russia, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan. Iran, India and Pakistan attending as observers. Unites one of great oil consumers, China, with many suppliers. Contact group to explore observer status for Afghanistan. "Central Asian Nations Sound Alarm Over Seeping Islamic Radicalism," New York Times, June 18, 2009.Kyrgyzstan security officials discover militants returned from Afghanistan and similar events. The most well-known raical group in region is Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, and the most dangerous area the Fergana Valley, which is divided among Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan. All three ex-Soviet states have secular rulers and majority Muslim populations. "Echoes of a Grim Past: Chechnya and Its Neighbors Suffer a Relapse," New York Times, August 30, 2009. Violence is up in Chechnya, Dagestan, Ingushetia, and neighboring areas. Problems for Russian policy in continuing to support Ramzan Kadyrov, who blames Islamic extremists financed by the West. Tragedy of suicide bombing of Yunus-Bek Yevkurov, Medvedev's more moderate choice in Ingushetia. c. Other Countries and Issues Tajikistan has a 2008 HDI ranking of #122. Its population is 7.35 million, with a growth rate of 1.88% (2009 est.). It is 85% Sunni, 5% Shia, and 10% other. Turkmenistan has a 2008 HDI ranking of #109. Its population is 4.9 million, with a growth rate of 1.14% (2009 est.). The people are 89% Muslim and 9% Eastern Orthodox. “Kazakh President Re-elected; Voting Flawed, Observers Say,” New York Times, December 6, 2005. Ex-Soviet leader (since 1989) Nursultan Nazarbayev elected for third seven-year term with 91% of vote. OSCE observers state election did not meet democratic standards. Authoritarianism in rest of ex-Soviet republics. Kazakhstan has a relatively high 2008 HDI ranking of #73. Its population is 15.4 million, with a .39% growth rate (2009est.). The country is 47% Muslim, 44% Russian Orthodox, 2% Protestant, and 7% other. “Recent Moves By Kyrgyzstan Indicate Shift From West,” New York Times, August 16, 2006. Country, famous for pro-Western “Tulip Revolution” on March 2005, moves closer to Uzbekistan and Russia in fighting Islamists. Repatriated Uzbek refugees from Andijon crackdown and August 6 killing of Imam Rafiq Qori Kamalov. Kyrgyzstan has a 2008 HDI ranking of #116. The population is 5.4 million, with a 1.4% growth rate (2009 est.). The population is 75% Muslim, 20% Russian Orthodox, and 5% other. "After '05 Uzbek Uprising, Issues Linger for West," New York Times, May 28, 2008. Third anniversary of military crackdown in Andijon. Country employs stategic and energy importance, plus moderate reforms: letting the Red Cross back in prisons, releasing some human rights advocates, reinstituting habeas corpus. Gateway to Afghanistan and Iran, China and Russia fight for influence. Uzbekistan is the most populous and the most religious of the five nations, with a 27.6 million populations and .935% growth rate. (2009 est.) Its 2008 HDI ranking is #113. The population is 88% Muslim (mostly Sunni), 9% Eastern Orthodox, and 3% other. "In Election Dispute, a Challenge for Mongolia's Democracy," New York Times, July 8, 2008. Reaction to violent protest and government reaction in this "poster child" for democracy. Mongolia, with a 2008 HDI ranking of #114, has a population of over 3 million with a 1.49% growth rate (2009 est.). The CIA World Factbook lists it as 50% Buddhist Lamaist, 6% Shamanist and Christian, 4% Muslim, and 40% none. Recently many Chinese entrepreneurs have entered the country to develop mineral resources. "Awash in Oil, Awaiting a Pipeline," New York Times, July 23, 2010. Kazakhstan's Tengiz field, run by Chevron, cannot export all its oil because of Russia has not completed a needed pipeline. All the geopolitical factors. July 28, 2010. |
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