This project enlists the cooperation of experts from Japan as well as other East Asian and South Asian countries to identify ways to resolve political-economic and security issues facing the five countries of Central Asia (Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan) and the three countries of the South Caucasus (Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia).
This year, 30 researchers from these countries carried out policy research on the challenges involved in democratization, investment liberalization and integration into the international community, and on those countries' relations with the US, Russia, China, and India and their implications for regional security. A workshop was held July 11-12, 2006 in Bangkok to give 31 participants, comprised of East and South Asian experts and members of the research group, an opportunity to discuss the interim results of the research. The 12th SPF Issyk- Kul Forum, co-sponsored by the Asian Dialogue Society, was held November 5-7 in Goa, India. This event gave 41 people involved in the project an opportunity to discuss the research findings and to develop their personal networks. This year's research findings were compiled into a publication entitled Central Asia: Views from Washington, Moscow, and Beijing, published by M.E. Sharpe.