Politics

The politics of Uzbekistan take place in a framework of a presidential republic, whereby the President of Uzbekistan is both head of state and head of government. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and the two chambers of parliament, Legislative Chamber and Senate. Positions in Uzbekistan's government are largely dependent on clan membership and politics, rather than on party membership.

The movement toward economic reform in Uzbekistan has not been matched by movement toward political reform. The government of Uzbekistan has instead tightened its grip since independence in 1991, cracking down increasingly on opposition groups. The government has justified its restraint of public assembly, opposition parties, and the media by emphasising the need for stability and a gradual approach to change during the transitional period, citing the conflict and chaos in the other former republics (most convincingly, neighbouring Tajikistan). This approach has found credence among a large share of Uzbekistan's population, although such a position may not be sustainable in the long run.

Executive Branch

The president is elected by popular vote for a seven-year term in elections that cannot be described as free. Freedom House rates Uzbekistan as absolutely unfree in both political institutions and civil society.

The prime minister and deputy ministers are appointed by the president. In effect, the executive branch holds almost all power. The judiciary branch lacks independence and the legislature, which meets only a few days each year, has little power to shape laws.

The president selects and replaces provincial governors. Under terms of a December 1995 referendum, Islom Karimov's first term was extended. Another national referendum was held January 27, 2002 to extend Karimov's term yet again. The referendum passed and Karimov's term was extended by act of the parliament to December 2007. Most international observers refused to participate in the process and did not recognise the results, dismissing them as not meeting basic standards.

Legislative Branch

The Supreme Assembly or National Assembly (Oliy Majlis) has 120 members in the Legislative Chamber, elected for a five-year terms and 100 members in the Senate; 84 members elected at the sessions of district, regional and city deputies, and 16 members appointed by the president.

Judicial Branch

Supreme Court (judges are nominated by the president and confirmed by the Supreme Assembly).

Foreign Relations

Uzbekistan joined the Commonwealth of Independent States in December 1991. However, it is opposed to reintegration and withdrew from the CIS collective security arrangement in 1999. Since that time, Uzbekistan has participated in the CIS peacekeeping force in Tajikistan and in UN-organised groups to help resolve the Tajik and Afghan conflicts, both of which it sees as posing threats to its own stability.

Uzbekistan was an active supporter of US efforts against worldwide terrorism and joined the coalitions that dealt with both Afghanistan and Iraq. The relationship between Uzbekistan and the United States began to deteriorate after the so-called 'colour revolutions' in Georgia and Ukraine (and to a lesser extent Kyrgyzstan). When the US joined in a call for an independent international investigation of the bloody events at Andijon, the relationship took an additional downturn and President Islam Karimov changed the political alignment of the country closer to Russia and China, countries which chose not to criticise Uzbekistan's leaders for the alleged human rights violations.

In late July, 2005, the government of Uzbekistan ordered the United States to vacate an air base in Karshi-Kanabad (near the Uzbek border with Afghanistan) within 180 days. Karimov had offered use of the base to the US shortly after 9/11. It is also believed by some Uzbeks that the protests in Andijan were inspired by the UK and US influences in the area of Andijan.

Uzbekistan is a member of the United Nations, the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council, Partnership for Peace, and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). It belongs to the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) and the Economic Cooperation Organisation - comprised of the five Central Asian countries: Azerbaijan, Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan. In 1999, Uzbekistan joined the GUAM alliance (Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan and Moldova), which was formed in 1997 (making it GUUAM), but pulled out of the organisation in 2005. Uzbekistan is also a member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and hosts the SCO's Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) in Tashkent. Uzbekistan also joined the new Central Asian Cooperation Organisation (CACO) in 2002. The CACO consists of Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. It is a founding member of and remains involved in the Central Asian Union, formed with Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, joined in March, 1998, by Tajikistan.

Military

Uzbekistan possesses the largest military force in the Central Asian region, having around 65,000 members. Its structure is inherited from the Soviet armed forces, although it is moving rapidly toward a fully restructured organisation, which will eventually be built around light and Special Forces.

The Government of Uzbekistan spends about 3.7% of GDP on the military but has received a growing infusion of Foreign Military Financing (FMF) and other security assistance funds since 1998. Uzbekistan approved the US Central Command's request for access to a vital military air base, Karshi-Khanabad Airbase, in southern Uzbekistan following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the US. After the Andijan riot and subsequent US reaction, Uzbekistan demanded that the US withdraw from the airbases. The last US troops left Uzbekistan in November 2005.

The Uzbek Armed Forces' equipment is not modern, and training, while improving, is neither uniform nor adequate for its new mission of territorial security. The government has accepted the arms control obligations of the former Soviet Union, acceded to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (as a non-nuclear state), and supported an active program by the US Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) in western Uzbekistan (Nukus and Vozrozhdeniye Island).