But the Alash are not. Gorbachev finishes them off quickly, securing his own first elimination. This puts him in a tie with Khrushchev, Uzbekistan, and Ukraine. There was a moment when I thought the Alash had a shot, but it quickly passed them by. They were pressed from two or more fronts several times, and ultimately couldn't get out past Gorbachev to settle anywhere else. Not that doing that has helped a Civ win its capital back, but better to try than not. Gorbachev decides to join in the war on Uzbekistan as well, which will definitely stretch Islam Karimov's troops thin.