Continuity Rules In Germany's Foreign Policy Toward The Americas
Germany's diplomatic relations with the Americas are shaped by continuity, a clear focus on the US and by the dominant role played by Chancellor Angela Merkel. That leaves little room for the new foreign minister. READ MORE
SCO Summit Focuses On Afghanistan, Economic Cooperation
A summit in Bishkek of the leaders of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization has focused on fostering economic development and regional security cooperation, especially regarding the situation in Afghanistan. READ MORE
EU Ambassador to Afghanistan Vygaudas Ušackas: Progress evident but fragile
Lithuanian diplomat Vygaudas Ušackas, the European Union's (EU) outgoing Ambassador to Afghanistan, says that the progress made in the country is evident, yet fragile and still to be secured. READ MORE
NATO Defence Ministers endorse concept for new post-2014 mission in Afghanistan
NATO Defence Ministers on Wednesday (5 June 2013) endorsed the detailed concept for the new NATO-led mission to train, advise and assist the Afghan security forces after 2014. “That concept will guide our military experts as they finalise the plan in the course of the coming months,” said NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen. READ MORE
SILK-Afghanistan 2.0: Internet connectivity programme increases its sustainability
A ceremony to launch the second phase of the SILK-Afghanistan programme, which provides high-speed internet access to Afghan universities and some governmental institutions, took place on 29 May. The signature of a contract between Afghan Telecom and NATO signals a shift from the use of satellites towards fibre-optic communications. This is a more sustainable solution going forward and will help prepare the way for an eventual handover of the network to a European Union funding mechanism in the future.
Tajikistan is only Central Asian country identified by Afghans as providing foreign aid to Afghanistan - public opinion survey
Afghans remain largely unaware of any reconstruction project or foreign aid provided to them by the countries of Central Asia, according to a new public opinion survey conducted in Afghanistan by the San Francisco-based Asia Foundation, a major international nonprofit group, reported Silk Road Newsline. READ MORE
The United States and Central Asia
This testimony was originally given by The Hon. S Enders Wimbush, Senior Director of The German Marshall Fund of the United States, before the House Subcommittee on Europe and Eurasia on July 24th, 2012. READ MORE
What is Going to Happen to Middle Asia?
Each day gets us closer to the date of withdrawal of the main part of American troops and all NATO units from Afghanistan, planned on the end of 2014, and it becomes clear, that the prospects of Middle Asia look more indefinite. As it has already been known, a part of military equipment the USA plans to give the former soviet republics of the region. READ MORE
NATO and Afghanistan
In advance of the NATO summit meeting on Afghanistan, American officials are claiming real progress in the fight against the Taliban. “Every day we’re gaining traction,” Gen. John Allen, the top commander in Afghanistan, told reporters last week. There is improvement, but we are skeptical that the situation is that encouraging. READ MORE
NATO wants to include Central Asian countries in alliance deliberations on future development in Afghanistan - NATO Secretary General
CA-NEWS (CA) - NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said the Alliance wants to include a number of Central Asian countries in NATO deliberations on the future development in Afghanistan, reported the Silk Road Newsline. READ MORE
