By Roger N McDermott & Col. Igor Mukhamedov (4/5/2006 issue of the CACI Analyst)

BACKGROUND: Astana’s new sense of confidence in its own defense industries was much in evidence on February 10 when Galym Orazbakov, President of Kazakhstan Engineering National Company, explained in Astana, “We expect the export of the company’s special products to double in 2006,” comparing with its record in 2005. This will be most notable in Kazakhstan’s future exports to the Indo-Pacific region. “Recently, we held talks with our partners in India and Egypt who are planning to hold tenders for the purchase of arms.

By Farkhad Tolipov (3/22/2006 issue of the CACI Analyst)

BACKGROUND: The reversion of Uzbekistan’s foreign policy since 2003 was in fact the acknowledgement of an old geopolitical concept, according to which Central Asia is a zone of exclusive Russian dominance. The Russian influence in the region, which had weakened after 1991, is now being rapidly restored. It is very clear that the previously increasing American influence in Central Asia is rapidly melting away.

By Talaibek Koichumanov (3/22/2006 issue of the CACI Analyst)

BACKGROUND: International experience demonstrates that higher income, investment and growth rates as well as higher life expectancy are evident in those countries that have efficient and fair governmental institutions, where job promotion is based on the personal merits of the candidate for promotion and clear and efficient regulations are available. In these countries, everyone is subjected to the law and the state is not captured by elite groups who pursue their personal interests. Moreover, in these states civil society and mass media have an independent voice, strengthening the accountability of the Government.