The natural resources in central Asia are vast. Isn't this also where the Soviets got there resources for going nuclear? China is pretty happy with still having Tibet I believe, due to that country being full of resources.
Are you sure the Muslims are going to increase? Because going by the news, it seems there has been nothing but prosecution of Muslims in Russia. After the invasion of the Ukraine, people where immediately talking about the prosecution of minorities by the Russians. It also reminded me of the Chechens, which are primarily Muslim and have been at war since the 90's.
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