By Emma Collet in Termez Uzbekistan is once again asserting itself as one of the most active countries in Central Asia in its pragmatic rapprochement with the Taliban in Afghanistan. To minimise the risks posed by the unpredictable Islamist regime, which has been on the doorstep of its borders for three years now, Tashkent has just completed the construction of a sparkling new shopping centre, accessible from both sides of the border via visa-free access for Afghan and Uzbek traders. Those from Afghanistan will travel a few kilometres along a ‘green corridor’, braving the recurrent little sand…