Title

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization: Is It Undermining U.S. Interests in Central Asia?

Tuesday, September 26, 2006
3:00pm
538 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, DC
United States
Official Transcript: 
PDF icon The Shanghai Cooperation Organization Is it Undermining U.S. Interests in Central Asia.pdf
Members: 
Name: 
Hon. Sam Brownback
Title Text: 
Chairman
Body: 
Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe
Witnesses: 
Name: 
Hon. Richard Bouche
Title: 
Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs
Body: 
Department of State
Name: 
Dr. Sean Roberts
Title: 
Central Asian Affairs Fellow
Body: 
Georgetown University Center for Eurasia, Russian and East European Studies
Name: 
Dr. Martha Olcott
Title: 
Senior Associate
Body: 
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Name: 
Stephen Blank
Title: 
Strategic Studies Institute
Body: 
U.S. Army War College

This Commission examined activities of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization since its inception in 2001 and its effects on the U.S. mission in Central Asia. The United States is vitally interested in the transition of the Central Asian states to democracy and to market economies. The region is also a critical partner in the war on terrorism. However, many of the Central Asian countries still lack inclusive governing bodies. Countries such as Uzbekistan may use the SCO as cover against international criticism about their authoritarian systems.  The witnesses and Commissioners discussed the future for relations with Central Asia with the possibility of a stronger influence from the SCO.

Relevant issues: 
OSCE Asian Partners
Relevant countries: 
Kazakhstan
Kyrgyzstan
Tajikistan
Turkmenistan
Uzbekistan
Leadership: 
Sam Brownback
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