Uzbekistan is a landlocked country in Central Asia that gained its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. It is bordered by Kazakstan to the north, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to the east, and Afghanistan and Turkmenistan to the south. Though Uzbekistan defines itself as a democracy, the majority of the power lies with President Islom Karimov. After taking power in 1991, Karimov worked to extend his power over the government and the length of his term in office. He has been criticized for crackdowns on the media and for preventing true opposition parties from forming. Uzbekistan has come under increasing scrutiny for human rights abuses and has been described by the United States as an "authoritarian state with limited civil rights." The government of Uzbekistan has responded by stating allegations are fabrications of those interested in controlling the country's internal affairs. A refusal to allow economic reform or foreign investment has led to a stagnant economy, though inflation rates have dropped from the astronomical post-independence highs.