Question 1

What are the main oil- and natural gas-producing countries of the region?

Accepted Answer

Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan are the main oil- and natural gas-producing countries in the Central Asia region. Georgia and Armenia have minimal oil and natural gas reserves, while Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan have none.

Question 2

What are the main uranium-producing countries of the region?

Accepted Answer

Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan are known for their uranium production in the region. Kazakhstan is also a major producer, but it is not paired with the correct country in the options provided.

Question 3

What was the essence of the Soviet policy of Russification in Central Asia and the Southern Near Abroad countries?

Accepted Answer

The essence of the Soviet policy of Russification in Central Asia and the Southern Near Abroad countries was to promote Russian as the language of the state, with all official documentation maintained in Russian. Native languages were relegated to a secondary position and Russian officials occupied key leadership positions in all spheres of social, political, and economic life. This policy aimed to assimilate these regions into the Soviet culture and eliminate any potential nationalistic movements.

Question 4

What are the reasons for the tension in Armenia-Azerbaijan relations?

Accepted Answer

The tension between Armenia and Azerbaijan primarily stems from historical territorial disputes, particularly over the Nagorno-Karabakh region, and religious differences have also played a role.

Question 5

Nations of Central Asia are practicing:

Accepted Answer

Nations of Central Asia, such as Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan, practice a form of Islam known as Folk Islam, which incorporates local customs and beliefs into their religious practices. This is distinct from the strict orthodox Islam practiced in many parts of the Middle East, as well as from the Shiite Islam common in Iran.

Question 6

The most significant social and economic changes produced by the era of Russian rule prior to the Soviet period were:

Accepted Answer

All of the options listed were significant social and economic changes produced by the era of Russian rule prior to the Soviet period. Industrial capitalism brought about a pronounced social differentiation between Russians and the native population, the infrastructure was crucial for economic development and included the construction of railroads, communication links, and smelting plants while the introduction of the cotton-ginning machinery enabled the growth of the textile industry. Military-supported bases were created on the borders, and military hospitals and schools were built to provide adequate training and services to the labor force. An agrarian policy brought about a gradual shift in the proportion of nomads to a more settled population while the introduction of a Russian system of administration in the territories helped to bring about political stability.

Question 7

The massive collectivization of the 1929s and 1930s resulted in:

Accepted Answer

A) The collectivization involved the forceful merger of private farms into larger agricultural enterprises.
B) There were massive persecutions and imprisonment for farmers who refused to comply with collectivization.
C) There were also massive confiscations of private land, livestock, and property of those who declined to join such units voluntarily, combined with ineffective management of the confiscated property.
D) Agricultural production declined significantly due to disruptions caused by collectivization and other factors.

All of the given options are true, making choice E the correct answer.

Question 8

Soviet impact on Central Asia manifested itself in several social and economic changes:

Accepted Answer

While options A, B, and C are all examples of Soviet policies in other areas, none of them apply to Central Asia specifically. Option D, however, accurately describes the impact of Soviet influence on the region's economy and population movements.

Question 9

The biggest principal geopolitical challenge to Russia in the Central Asia is:

Accepted Answer

The expansion of NATO influence in the Central Asia region and a drift away from Moscow poses a significant geopolitical challenge to Russia. NATO's presence in the region has increased with several Central Asian countries cooperating with the alliance, and Russia sees this as a threat to its influence in the region. The other options, such as massive migration or broken diplomatic relations, do not pose as significant a challenge to Russia's geopolitical interests in Central Asia as NATO's expansion does. The option of ongoing war with Kazakhstan is incorrect, as there is no ongoing war between Russia and Kazakhstan.

Question 10

Specialists estimate the Aral Sea's surface is now ____ percent of the surface that existed before Soviet Central planners implemented project of water flow:

Accepted Answer

According to the question, the specialists estimate the Aral Sea's surface is now a certain percentage of the surface that existed before Soviet Central planners implemented the project of water flow. Among the given options, only option C (25) is lower than the half of the original surface area. Therefore, option C is the correct answer.

Question 11

Caspian Sea region has significant growth potentials in the natural gas arena, compatible to those in Saudi Arabia

Accepted Answer

The Caspian Sea region is believed to have significant growth potentials in the natural gas sector, which is said to be comparable to those in Saudi Arabia.

Question 12

The Russia - Georgia 7 day war, which started on August 8, 2008 ended in humiliating defeat of Russian troops and territorial loss of South Ossetia.

Accepted Answer

This statement is not accurate. The war resulted in Russia gaining control of South Ossetia and Abkhazia and recognized them as independent states, leading to territorial loss for Georgia. Russia did not suffer a humiliating defeat.

Question 13

High level of social and cultural organization of Central Asia between 700 B.C. and A.D. 250 gave rise to a rich and prosperous trade through the Silk Road linking China to the West

Accepted Answer

Central Asia between 700 B.C. and A.D. 250 was known for its high level of social and cultural organization and this led to the emergence of the Silk Road. The trade through this route was rich and prosperous, connecting China to the West.

Question 14

Collectivization in the former Soviet Union in 1930s was the process of a voluntary merger of private farms into large agricultural enterprises.

Accepted Answer

Collectivization in the former Soviet Union in 1930s was a forced process of merging private farms into large state-controlled agricultural enterprises. Private property was abolished and individual farmers were required to work on collective farms. This policy was implemented through coercion, violence, and propaganda, resulting in widespread famine, suffering, and loss of life.

Question 15

Perestroika - translates from Russian as "reconstruction," a new ideology introduced by the leader of the Soviet Union, Mikhail Gorbachev in 1986. According to this innovative set of views and new regulations, elements of a market economy, including small private business enterprises were encouraged. Freedom of the press was the leading force to a new openness in society.

Accepted Answer

Perestroika was indeed a new ideology introduced by Gorbachev in 1986, which encouraged elements of a market economy and small private business enterprises, and also emphasized freedom of the press and increased openness in society.

Question 16

Coalition forces are enjoying an unrestricted overflight rights to aircraft flying for combat, humanitarian purposes, and search and rescue missions from Manas air base near the capital of Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek

Accepted Answer

As of my last update in April 2023, coalition forces no longer enjoy unrestricted overflight rights from Manas Air Base near Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, as the base was closed to U.S. military forces in 2014 following a decision by the Kyrgyz government.

Question 17

The biggest principal geopolitical challenge to Russia in the Central Asia is the expansion of NATO influence in the region and a drift away from Moscow

Accepted Answer

Russia sees Central Asia as its sphere of influence and has historically maintained close political and economic ties with the region. However, the increasing presence of NATO in the region, particularly through military partnerships and aid agreements, is seen by Russia as a threat to its influence and interests. This has led to tensions between Russia and NATO over their respective roles and influence in Central Asia.

Question 18

The main justification for Azerbaijan wanting NATO bases has been seen in the existence of close political and military relations between Russia and Armenia

Accepted Answer

Azerbaijan sees the close political and military relations between Russia and Armenia as a threat, thus justifying their desire for NATO bases.

Question 19

Recent effort of the leaders of countries of Central Asia resulted in the fact that Central Asia stopped being the major transit are for drug trafficking moving their products from Afghanistan to markets in Russia and the West.

Accepted Answer

Central Asia remains a significant transit area for drug trafficking from Afghanistan to markets in Russia and the West, despite efforts by leaders in the region to combat this issue.

Question 20

Afghanistan is surrounded on all sides by neighbors that are hostile to each other.

Accepted Answer

Afghanistan is bordered by Pakistan to the east and south, Iran to the west, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan to the north. These countries have all had complex and often hostile relationships with each other and with Afghanistan.

Quiz 9: Central Asia and the Southern Near Abroad