Uzbek crisis poses dilemma for US
The United States has been put under increasing pressure over its policy on Uzbekistan after the hardline government's suppression of protests, in which hundreds are feared to have died.
The crisis has left the US walking a diplomatic tightrope.
Washington has been consistently critical of Uzbekistan's record on human rights but it has also relied on President Islam Karimov's help in its "war on terror".
The US has a large military base in Uzbekistan that is seen by the Pentagon as important for the projection of US power into the region.
It also has an eye on the Uzbek oil and gas reserves.
So while deeply concerned about the outbreak of violence, the United States has tried to avoid taking sides in public.
That position is becoming untenable, however.
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