Islam and Democratization in Asia By Shiping Hua

importantly, his work shows that the Iraqis succeeded in convincing the Pashtun-Taliban, who previously had strong taboos on suicide of any sort, that “martyrdom operations” were sanctioned by Islam.

In chapter 10, “China and Central Asia: Developing Relations and Impact on Democracy,” Morris Rossabi argues that since the collapse of the Soviet Union, China has increasingly played a role in the five Central Asian countries, a development that surely will have an influence on both democracy and Islam in the region. Economic relations between China and Central Asia have accelerated over the past decade. China has constructed a pipeline from Kazakhstan to Xinjiang and has built a road to Tajikistan, among other projects that have created links between it and its neighbors. Trade has increased dramatically, and Chinese products are readily found throughout Central Asia.

Rossabi also explores the political ramifications of these developing economic links for both Central Asia and Xinjiang. Will China's economic leverage in the region translate into political leverage? How will China's role in this region affect any attempt to move to more democratic institutions in Central Asia? What will be the impact of China's role in Central Asia in general?

With these insightful essays, it is the aim of this volume to cast some much-needed light on the relationship between Islam and democratization within the context of Asian cultures and institutions.