The paradigm shift in Uzbekistan’s foreign policy: prospects and challenges

Abstract

In this research an effort is made to evaluate the Uzbekistan foreign policy since independence. It addresses the paradigm shift in the foreign policy of Uzbekistan after years of semiisolationism to open and regional integrated policy. It would explain the contradicting perceptions of Islam Karimov and Shavkat Mirziyoyev that contributed to different diplomatic paths. In addition, this research examines the three main principles of the foreign policy of Uzbekistan. First is preserving the independence of Uzbekistan, second is the changes brought by the Karimov’s regime to secure the state and third is changes brought by Mirziyoyev to transfer Uzbekistan into regional leader in the Central Asia. The study would conclude how Tashkent is propelled to bring an abrupt change in order to strengthen itself to become the regional power in the Uzbekistan’s geopolitical economic and strategic environment