2
(MAP), the process by which NATO assists and evaluates aspirant states. Nor did any of these
states enjoy the sort of privileged relationships that Russia and Ukraine have through the NATO-
Russia Council and the NATO-Ukraine Commission.
The events of September 11 and the ensuing war in Afghanistan, however, served to
highlight the region’s enormous geo-strategic significance. All of the Central Asian states
offered assistance crucial to waging the war against the Taliban and al Qaeda forces in
Afghanistan, including the use of military bases for U.S. and coalition troops, unlimited
overflight rights, intelligence cooperation, and the use of their territory for supply purposes.
3
The United States responded by dramatically increasing economic and military assistance to the
region, especially to Uzbekistan, which along with Kyrgyzstan, continues to serve as a principal
base for U.S. and coalition forces operating in Afghanistan.
4
Indeed, both the United States and
3
B. Lynn Pascoe, “Uzbekistan: The Key to Success in Central Asia?, Testimony before the Subcommittee
on Central Asia, House International Relations Committee, Washington, D.C., June 15, 2004.
(http://www.state.gov/p/eur/rls/rm/33579.htm) See also Jim Garamone, “Central Asia: Crucial to War on Terror,”
American Forces Information Service, June 27, 2002
4
Ilan Berman, “The New Battleground: Central Asia and the Caucasus,” The Washington Quarterly, 28, no.
1, (Winter 2004-05) p. 60.
Convention