Uzbekistan: Signs of a Power Struggle?

Uzbek media reported June 6 that a significant restructuring of Uzbekistan's security services has seen the command of troops previously under the control of the Interior Ministry transferred to the Defense Ministry and National Security Service. On the surface, this might appear to be simply a tactical response to rising internal unrest, but it is more likely an indicator of a power struggle at the government's highest levels. If this is true, Uzbekistan could be on the verge of far greater conflict than it is seeing now.