After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the United States recognized the independence of all the former Central Asian republics and established diplomatic relations with each by mid-March 1992. This report provides an overview of U.S. policy concerns after the Soviet collapse. The report presents the 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 the South Caucasian and Central Asian states. The United States has some economic and business interests in Central Asia, particularly in oil and natural gas development in Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.

President Clinton's March visit to South Asia focused primarily on broadening and deepening ties with India. The trip -- which included stops in Bangladesh and Pakistan -- was complicated by the downward spiral in India-Pakistan relations in the past year and Pakistan's military coup. In the course of his visit, the President addressed a number of important U.S. policy issues, including economic reform, nuclear proliferation, South Asia regional stability, terrorism, and democratization. This report will not be updated. For further background, see CRS Issue Brief 93097, India-U.S. Relations; CRS Issue Brief 94041, Pakistan-US Relations; and CRS Report RS20489, Bangladesh: Background and U.S. Relations.