Flanked by China and South Asia, Central Asia serves as the confluence for a number of regional issues with global implications, including energy supply, drug trafficking, and the future of Afghanistan.

While the United States is an important factor shaping Sino-Indian relations, the role of the United States in relations between China, India, and the countries of Central Asia receives far less attention.

Kyrgyzstan has experienced a year of significant changes and political achievements, including a popular uprising against a president and a move to a parliamentary system of government, and many challenges still lie ahead.

Central Asia has significant importance to U.S. national interests and the Obama administration has a role to play in promoting human rights in the region.