Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan declared independence from the Soviet Union on August 31, 1991, and joined the CIS. As the most populous Central Asian state, Uzbekistan under Islam Karimov maintained authoritarian rule while slowly distancing itself from Moscow. Its territory had served as the primary Soviet supply route and rear base for the Afghan war.

• Existed: 1991 CE – present
• Type: Entity
• Government: Presidential republic (authoritarian)
• Capital: Tashkent