The Great Game returns to the playgrounds of Central Asia

Central Asia rarely features in headlines, yet it has become the focus of what observers refer to as the 'Great Game' - a strategic powerplay by the world's most influential nations.

Jockeying for position in and around the 'stans' of the former Soviet Union - Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan - are five of the world's seven declared nuclear powers.

In effect, a small version of the Soviet-era Cold War is in progress, although analysts point out that the circumstances are markedly different. A nuclear war is not imminent, but nations are closely monitoring one another.

At stake are massive oil deposits in Kazakhstan, huge gas reserves in Turkmenistan and small, but expanding, trade potential. Above all is the region's location at the heart of Asia, and on the route of oil and gas pipelines from the Persian Gulf and Caspian Sea to the west.

The arrival of American troops in the region to fight the war on terrorism in Afghanistan to the south heightened the attention of China, Russia, Pakistan and India. With Afghanistan's reconstruction as the pretext, all have intensified their presence in Central Asia.

But some experts have suggested that the US presence has also fuelled resentment, especially from China and Russia. Pakistan-based Ahmed Rashid believed both would like the US to move out, although it was being tolerated for now because of continuing insecurity in Afghanistan.