Uzbekistan: Tashkent Has the Power to Influence the Outcome of the Afghan War The battle for Afghanistan may well be won or lost in Uzbekistan. With the Taliban making it increasingly difficult to re-supply NATO and US troops in Afghanistan via Pakistan, Tashkent offers the easiest solution to a vital logistical dilemma.
Area: 447,001 sq km (172,588 sq mi)
Population: 26,410,416 Capital: Tashkent 2,107,000
President: Islam Abduganievich Karimov
Religion: Muslim 88% (mostly Sunnis), Eastern Orthodox 9%, other 3% Life Expectancy: 64 years
GDP per capita: $1,700
