Afghanistan Suicide bomber targets police recruits in Uruzgan; Afghans abducted in Herat; civilian casualties continue to arouse passions 29 September 2009
Pakistan Kidnap of American symptomatic of rising insecurity in Baluchistan; sectarian, nationalist violence straining Pakistani resources 29 September 2009
Pakistan US drone strike clue to Obama policy on Pakistan; tension with India fuelled by denials; escalation still unlikely but reconciliation distant 29 September 2009
29 September 2009 Pakistan Battle for Swat a test of resolve for both sides; kidnap of police, troops highlights deficiencies; al-Qaeda claim lacks impact
29 September 2009 Pakistan Bombs in Punjab, Karachi highlight growing risk of Taliban-linked terrorism outside Tribal Areas; credibility of arrests questioned
29 September 2009 India Pakistani deflections, death threat against diplomat mean relations with Islamabad remain stalled; however, escalation remains unlikely
29 September 2009 India Scandal erupts over alleged partisan ties of next Election Commissioner; Prime Minister’s surgery prompts leadership rumours
29 September 2009 India Maoist ambush kills fifteen police in Maharashtra; offer of peace talks in Chhattisgarh likely a stalling technique
29 September 2009 India Two militants killed near New Delhi amidst speculation of fabricated Pakistani ties; man arrested in threatened hijacking
25 September 2009 Bangladesh Opposition alleges vote-rigging in December elections; reflects party’s weakness rather than credible challenge to Government
25 September 2009 Bangladesh Limited unrest offset by high crime; vigilantism and extra-judicial killings symptoms of Government inability to address insecurity
25 September 2009 Bangladesh Attack on local Awami League office highlights insecurity in south-west; Islamist arrests in North not yet indicative of resurgent threat
25 September 2009 Sri Lanka Gradual political reshuffle replaces diplomats with military leaders, aimed at reducing opposition and criticism of defence cuts