By Ben Welch (12/23/2009 issue of the CACI Analyst)

The recent official visit of Indian President Pratihba Patil to Tajikistan may be emblematic of a new focus in Indian foreign policy. India’s establishment of military bases, upgrading of diplomatic relations and increase of financial activity in Tajikistan might be interpreted as a new ‘forward’ strategy. Geography reveals the rationale – Tajikistan borders Afghanistan and is separated from Pakistani administered Kashmir by a strip of Afghan territory.

By Erica Marat (12/23/2009 issue of the CACI Analyst)

This year, Kyrgyzstan’s Freedom House democracy index will likely change from being “partly free” into “not free”, placing the country in the same category as its Central Asian neighbors. From being the most democratic state in the region a decade ago, Kyrgyzstan has turned into the regional state where dynastic leadership is most likely. This month alone Kyrgyzstan saw four violent attacks against journalists and political activists.

By Ghulam Ali (12/23/2009 issue of the CACI Analyst)

No other country celebrated the sixtieth anniversary of the People’s Republic of China with such an alacrity as did Pakistan. For over a week, activities such as exhibitions, banquets, meetings and seminars were held, both in capital Islamabad and in provincial and military headquarters in which top ranking members of the political and military leadership participated. Although the Saudi Embassy in Islamabad also celebrated its seventy-ninth anniversary shortly afterwards — Saudi Arabia being a country with which Pakistan enjoys deep religious affinity — the attention paid to the Chinese anniversary was incomparable.