Today Putin signed a new agreement with Uzbekistan's president Islam Karimov. Uzbekistan is rapidly following the path of Belarus, as Moscow's favorite international pariah. The nationalist uprising against the Karimov regime earlier this year was brutally defeated by the president, then American military forces were asked to leave Uzbekistan, which they did. Now Uzbekistan is banned by the international community from purchasing weapons and military equipment, and the White House is sponsoring many independent think tanks and institutes opposed to the existing regime. But international weapon bans and isolation aren't an issue, if Putin is determined to make friends with you.
Uzbekistan once was seen as a progressive country, that embraced the opportunity for change and democracy in Central Asia after the fall of the Soviet Union. However, the personal interests of individuals and a mania for power have spoiled that opportunity. Now, when Western friends are turning away from the unsuccessful democratic pupil, Karimov finds a new friend in Putin (and China). Russian military bases will replace the American ones in the near future, and if necessary, Russian troops may be used to fight the opposition and put down revolts.
To observe Putin, Karimov and Lukashenko monopolizing power in their countries is to miss the point. People don't hate them personally, and a regular Joe (or Ivan for that matter) doesn't care who's in power.
A deep economic crisis, overwhelming poverty, and the absence of any opportunity make people go into the streets and die, since there's nothing left to lose. The economicl/military pact between Russia and Uzbekistan is not going to solve any of the real problems which cause people in these nations to be unhappy. It's not the Islamic fascists, embittered elderly people, or angry students that cause the revolts. Economic failure does, and neither Karimov nor Putin have tools or understanding to tackle the problem.
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