Summarises the currently available seismic and engineering data pertaining to the seismic hazard of the capitals of the Central Asian republics. The conclusion is that the risk to residents of these cities is extremely high. There is a roughly 40% probability that an earthquake will occur near one of the Central Asian republic's capitals within the next 20 years. Such an event will produce ground shaking in the affected city equal to the maximum ground shaking experienced in Armenia and Sakhalin, i.e. MSK IX. The event will cause tens of thousands of fatalities and at least 100,000 serious injuries. Audience: All people interested in the development of the post-Soviet Central Asian Republics. Earthquake engineers in particular will appreciate the summary of the latest seismic hazard and building vulnerability data of the region; the best compilation of these data available in the English language.