Assertion: During the Cold War, many thought that nationalist unrest would be strongest in the Central Asian republics.
Reason: This region was rich and prosperous in resources and was being pursued by the USA to join NATO.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
Correct Reason: During the Cold War, many thought that nationalist unrest would be strongest in the Central Asian republics given their ethnic and religious differences with the rest of the Soviet Union and their economic backwardness.