ABSTRACT
The acquisition of independence by the former Soviet republics of Central Asia has led some to speculate that the "Great Game" is being resurrected. The development of Central Asia as a region of secular democratic states with strong connections to the West and to international institutions like the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe would enhance Turkey's security. In the rest of Central Asia as well, anything more than diplomatic, economic, or cultural involvement could involve the Turks in local conflicts, and would certainly antagonize Russia or Iran, or both. Turkey was very quick off the mark in Central Asia. Like Turkey, Iran found that the end of the Cold War and the disintegration of the USSR had left it with new uncertainties and new opportunities. In terms of Iran's military security, the independence of Central Asia reduces whatever tenuous threat from the USSR that existed.
