America.gov-World Regions: South & Central Asia

Presidential Transition Offers Opportunity to Build Bridges

Jacquelyn S. Porth — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 17:26:16 -0500

Wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, relations with Iran and Pakistan and North Korean nuclear disarmament will dominate the new Obama administration’s early foreign-policy focus. But the global issues of proliferation, climate change and food security will compete for the new president’s attention.

Bangladesh “Can Take Great Pride” in Election, U.S. Says

Stephen Kaufman — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 12:31:49 -0500

The Bush administration congratulates the people of Bangladesh for their country’s successful December 28 election. A State Department spokesman says the high turnout “underscores the people’s desire to see democracy restored as well to have a voice in their future.”

Scientists Generate Stem Cells from Adult Tissue

Daniel Gorelick — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 16:22:00 -0500

Science magazine’s breakthrough of 2008 is the discovery that skin cells from patients with a variety of diseases can be reprogrammed into stem cells. America.gov examines how this discovery could be used to test potential disease treatments or replace damaged cells in patients.

Low-Cost Technology Can Improve Health of Millions in Bangladesh

Nancy L. Pontius — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 19:31:17 -0500

More than 50 million Bangladeshi citizens are being slowly poisoned by arsenic-contaminated well water in what some call the largest mass poisoning in human history. Relief could come from an inexpensive water treatment system developed by students at the University of California–Berkeley.

Bush Makes Surprise Farewell Visits to Iraq, Afghanistan

David McKeeby — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 17:56:30 -0500

President Bush welcomes progress in Iraq and Afghanistan in a surprise farewell visit to the region and underlines America’s enduring commitment to the success of both emerging democracies under his successor. “I am of a different political party than President-elect Obama. But I want him to succeed,” he says.

Pakistan Committed to Confronting Terrorism, Rice Says

David McKeeby — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 17:54:57 -0500

South Asia and the international community face a common enemy in terrorism, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says following talks in Pakistan, where officials pledge full cooperation with the probe into the recent attack on India’s financial and entertainment capital, Mumbai.

Rice Urges India-Pakistan Cooperation in Mumbai Attack Probe

David McKeeby — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 17:56:27 -0500

The terrorist strike on India’s financial capital, Mumbai, underscores the importance of building strong international counterterrorism partnerships to bring the perpetrators to justice and prevent future attacks, says Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

Joint Action Urged to Bring India Terrorists to Justice

David McKeeby — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 18:01:24 -0500

President Bush sends Secretary of State Rice to New Delhi, India, where she will offer America’s condolences in the wake of a devastating three-day terrorist attack in Mumbai and urge close cooperation with neighboring Pakistan’s new civilian government to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Afghan Army Becoming More Effective Force, U.S. General Says

Merle D. Kellerhals Jr. — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 17:14:42 -0500

The Afghan National Army now leads about 60 percent of the operations it conducts and is proving to be an effective fighting force that substantially enhances the security of Afghanistan, a senior U.S. general says. A police retraining program is also improving the situation in Afghanistan.

United States Provides $2.5 Million in Relief Aid to Pakistan

Jacquelyn S. Porth — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 16:44:53 -0500

The United States quickly sent humanitarian relief to Pakistan after a series of earthquakes and aftershocks hit the mountainous region of Balochistan in October. So far, $2.5 million has been channeled to the region through the U.S. Agency for International Development and partners such as the International Committee of the Red Cross.