Nichol, James P.

Kazakhstan basic facts by Jim Nichol ( Book )
9 editions published between 1992 and 1995 in English and held by 59 libraries worldwide

Central Asia's new states political developments and implications for U.S. interests by James P Nichol ( Book )
23 editions published between 1994 and 2003 in English and held by 58 libraries worldwide

Kyrgyzstan basic facts by Jim Nichol ( Book )
11 editions published between 1992 and 1995 in English and held by 58 libraries worldwide

Turkmenistan basic facts by Jim Nichol ( Book )
8 editions published between 1992 and 1995 in English and held by 58 libraries worldwide

Uzbekistan basic facts by James P Nichol ( Book )
9 editions published between 1993 and 1996 in English and held by 55 libraries worldwide

Crime in Russia situation update by Jim Nichol ( Book )
6 editions published in 1995 in English and held by 50 libraries worldwide

Central Asia's security issues and implications for U.S. interests by James P Nichol ( Book )
11 editions published between 1999 and 2008 in English and held by 44 libraries worldwide
The Central Asian states (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan) face common security challenges from crime, corruption, terrorism, and faltering commitments to economic and democratic reforms. However, cooperation among them remains halting, so security in the region is likely in the near term to vary by country. Kyrgyzstan's and Tajikistan's futures are most clouded by ethnic and territorial tensions, and corruption in Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan could spoil benefits from the development of their ample energy resources. Authoritarianism and poverty in Uzbekistan could contribute to a succession crisis. On the other hand, Kyrgyzstan's beleaguered civil society might eventually help the relatively small nation safeguard its independence. Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan might become regional powers able to champion policy solutions to common Central Asian problems and to resist undue influence from more powerful outside powers, because of their large territories and populations and energy and other resources. Internal political developments in several bordering or close-by states may have a large impact on Central Asian security. These developments include a more authoritarian and globalist Russia, an economically growing China, instability in Iran and the South Caucasus region, and re-surging drug production and Islamic extremism in Afghanistan. Most in Congress have supported U.S. assistance to bolster independence and reforms in Central Asia. Congress has continued to debate the balance between U.S. security interests in the region and interests in democratization and the protection of human rights.

Russia's religion law assessments and implications by James P Nichol ( Book )
4 editions published between 1997 and 1998 in English and held by 42 libraries worldwide

Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia political developments and implications for U.S. interests by James P Nichol ( Book )
30 editions published between 2001 and 2007 in English and held by 41 libraries worldwide
The United States recognized the independence of all the former Soviet republics by the end of 1991, including the South Caucasus states of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia. The United States has fostered these states' ties with the West in part to end the dependence of these states on Russia for trade, security, and other relations. The United States has pursued close ties with Armenia to encourage its democratization and because of concerns by Armenian-Americans and others over its fate. Close ties with Georgia have evolved from U.S. contacts with its pro-Western leadership. The Bush Administration supports U.S. private investment in Azerbaijan's energy sector as a means of increasing the diversity of world energy suppliers and encourages building multiple energy pipelines to world markets. The United States has been active in diplomatic efforts to end conflicts in the region, many of which remain unresolved. The FREEDOM Support Act (P.L. 102- 511) provides the major authorization for assistance to the Eurasian states for humanitarian needs, democratization, creation of market economies, trade and investment, and other purposes. Section 907 of the act prohibits most U.S. government-to-government aid to Azerbaijan until its ceases blockades and other offensive use of force against Armenia. This provision has been partly altered over the years to permit humanitarian aid and democratization aid, border security and customs support to promote non- proliferation, Trade and Development Agency aid, Overseas Private Investment Corporation insurance, Eximbank financing, and Foreign Commercial Service activities. In the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States, the Administration appealed for a national security waiver of the prohibition on aid to Azerbaijan, in consideration of Azerbaijan's assistance to the international coalition to combat terrorism. In December 2001, Congress approved foreign appropriations for FY2002 (P.L. 107-115) that granted the President authority to waive Section 907, renewable each calendar year under certain conditions. President Bush exercised the waiver most recently on January 13, 2005. As part of the U.S. Global War on Terrorism, the U.S. military in May 2002 began providing security equipment and training to help Georgia combat terrorist groups in its Pankisi Gorge area and elsewhere in the country. Azerbaijani and Georgian troops participate in stabilization efforts in Afghanistan and Iraq, and Armenian personnel serve in Iraq. Consolidated Appropriations for FY2005, including Foreign Operations (P.L. 108-447, signed into law on December 8, 2004), provides $205 million in FREEDOM Support Act (FSA) assistance to the South Caucasus states. The Conference managers (H.Rept.108-792) direct $75 million in FSA funding for Armenia ($13 million above the budget request), $38 million for Azerbaijan, and $92 million for Georgia ($2 million above the budget request). The managers call for at least $3 million to be "provided to address ongoing humanitarian needs in Nagorno Karabakh." Among other foreign assistance, $8 million is provided for Armenia, $8 million for Azerbaijan, and $12 million for Georgia for Foreign Military Financing.

Central Asia regional developments and implications for U.S. interests by James P Nichol ( Book )
16 editions published between 2003 and 2010 in English and held by 33 libraries worldwide
After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the United States recognized the independence of all the former Central Asian republics, supported their admission into Western organizations, and elicited Turkish support to counter Iranian influence in the region. Congress was at the forefront in urging the formation of coherent U.S. policies for aiding these and other Eurasian states of the former Soviet Union. Soon after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, all the Central Asian states offered overflight and other support to coalition anti-terrorist efforts in Afghanistan. Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan hosted coalition troops and provided about two dozen troops for rebuilding. After September 11, 2001, U.S. policy emphasized bolstering the security of the Central Asian states to help them combat terrorism, proliferation, and arms trafficking. Other strategic U.S. objectives include promoting democratization, free markets, human rights, and energy development. Administration policy also aims to integrate these states into the international community so that they follow responsible security and other policies, and to discourage the growth of xenophobic, fundamentalist, and anti-Western orientations that threaten peace and stability. The Administration's diverse goals in Central Asia reflect the differing characteristics of these states. U.S. interests in Kazakhstan include securing and eliminating Soviet-era nuclear and biological weapons materials and facilities. In Tajikistan, U.S. aid focuses on economic reconstruction. U.S. energy firms have invested in oil and natural gas development in Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan. some observers call for different emphases or levels of U.S. involvement in the region. Some call for strengthening conditions linking aid to progress in improving human rights or in making adequate progress in democratization and the creation of free markets. Some dispute the importance of energy resources in the region to U.S. national security. Others argue that the risks posed by civil and ethnic tensions in the region outweigh the benefits of U.S. involvement. Heightened congressional interest in Central Asia was reflected in passage of "Silk Road" language in 1999 authorizing enhanced U.S. policy attention and aid to support conflict amelioration, humanitarian needs, economic development, transport (including energy pipelines) and communications, border controls, democracy, and the creation of civil societies in South Caucasian and Central Asian states.