Karimov’s role in Central Asian security supporting

The article is devoted to the place and role of the first President of Uzbekistan I. Karimov in the system of Central Asian security. Central Asia is an unstable region with political conflicts and activity of Islamic extremists. The leading superpowers pay attention to the region. The diversity of problems in the region requires the participation of each regional actor in strengthening Central Asian security. The attention is focused on the personal factor in the political system of Uzbekistan. The personalistic approach to the analysis of political system of Uzbekistan proves Karimov’s substantial role in regional security issues. There are indicators such as the efforts to maintain the geopolitical balance in Central Asia, the strategy and tactics of the struggle against Islamic radicalism, a call for fair solution of water-energy and territorial issues. The events of 2005 in Andijan had tested the regime of Islam Karimov. Moreover it could have destabilized the whole region and changed the configuration of powers. Despite the warlike rhetoric of Islam Karimov the author comes to the conclusion that the first president of Uzbekistan played the constructive role in ensuring stability in the Central Asian region. Experts associated Karimov’s death with drastic regional changes due to lack of experience of the transit authority. The transit of power is taking place in a calm political atmosphere. The question remains about political strategy and tactics which will adhere to his successor in the solution of regional problems.