In this issue:

- Central Asia - Kazakhstan: Astana Emphasizing Ethnic Harmony Following Kyrgyz Violence

By JOANNA LILLIS

Casting an anxious eye on events in neighboring Kyrgyzstan , Kazakhstan is carrying out a fresh drive to promote ethnic harmony. President Nursultan Nazarbayev, who prides himself on presiding over an era of ethnic accord in multicultural Kazakhstan , is leading the campaign.

- Central Asia

Afghanistan: Karzai Blinks on Private Security Firm Ban

BY DEIRDRE TYNAN

- Central Asia

Afghanistan: Human Security is the Key to Victory

COMMENTARY BY SURAYA DALIL AND ASHRAF HAIDARI

- Caucasus

Georgia: Tbilisi Tries to Learn from Philharmonic Flop

BY MOLLY CORSO

- Russia

Russia: Facing a Demographic Time-Bomb?

BY RICHARD WEITZ

- Middle East

Turkey: Ankara-Washington Differences Could Disrupt NATO Missile Shield Plans

BY NICHOLAS BIRCH

- Central Asia

Turkmenistan: Medvedev Comes Away from Ashgabat Empty Handed

BY SERGEI BLAGOV

- Central Asia

Kyrgyzstan: Gazprom Ready to Fill Manas Fuel-Supply Role

BY DEIRDRE TYNAN

For further information: Eurasianet