By Gregory Gleason (12/15/2004 issue of the CACI Analyst)

BACKGROUND: The Bukhara summit of Turkmen President Saparmurad Niyazov and Uzbek President Islam Karimov last month marked the first meeting of the two presidents since an assassination attempt on the life of the Turkmen President in 2002 soured relations between the two Central Asian countries. Relations between the leaders have been tense ever since the November 25, 2002 assassination attempt on the Turkmen President’s life. Just a week after the assassination attempt the Turkmen police raided the Uzbek Ambassador’s residence in Ashgabat.

By Jacob Townsend (12/15/2004 issue of the CACI Analyst)

BACKGROUND: China gives its fight against the drug trade a high priority but its actions are overwhelmingly focussed on its borders with Myanmar. This is understandable, since until recently well over 90% of the opiates consumed in China came from the Golden Triangle. Broadly speaking, its law enforcement efforts have paid off and these have coincided with a decline in opium production in Myanmar and Laos.

By R. Grant Smith (12/15/2004 issue of the CACI Analyst)

BACKGROUND: When Tajikistan became independent in 1991, Russia kept its 201st Motorized Rifle Division and its border forces there. The Tajik group that ended up controlling the government welcomed the assistance of these two in providing stability during the civil war and in securing the border with Afghanistan. Russia did not, however, offer substantial economic assistance, except for credits in the period immediately after the breakup of the USSR.