Prospects of Regional Integration in Central Asia

Fatema Z. Sumar, Deputy Assistance Secretary, Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, recently addressed a gathering at George Washington University (October 28, 2014) where she provided comments on Central Asia and Afghanistan. She highlighted a number of developments in the region that are having an impact on the political, economic, and security situation in Central Asia. She pointed out that Afghanistan is on the right path. The country recently held elections, elected a new president, signed the Bilateral Security Agreement with the United States, and that the United States has renewed its commitment to the train, advise and assist mission over the next two years. She also stated that the U.S. has "redoubled efforts to advance the New Silk Road initiative economically linking Afghanistan with Central and South Asia . . .". You can read all of her comments in "Prospects for Regional Integration in Central Asia", U.S. Department of State, October 28, 2014.