http://www.unodc.org/documents/data-and-analysis/Afghanistan/Afghan_Opium_Trade_2009_web.pdf
Describes the consequences of the opium and heroin trafficked from Afghanistan annually on the health and security of countries along the Balkan and Eurasian trade routes to Russia, Europe, China, and India. From the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.
http://assets.opencrs.com/rpts/RL34742_20091002.pdf
Latest update on the U.S. view of the global financial crisis. Also discusses the effects of the crisis on other parts of the world, especially Europe, Asia, and Latin America. From the Congressional Research Service, posted by OpenCRS.org.
Presents information on climate change issues including the economic and policy implications of climate change and analyses of the international negotiations. As of August 2009, 19 countries, mostly African, Asian, and Latin American, were participating in the project. From the United Nations Development Programme.
http://assets.opencrs.com/rpts/R40583_20090713.pdf
Analyzes the legal and diplomatic issues with seeking U.S. accession to the treaty. From the Congressional Research Service, posted by OpenCRS.org.
http://www.unctad.org/en/docs/ldc2009_en.pdf
Focuses on 49 countries designated by the United Nations as the least developed. Reports that the global economic crisis is so severe in its impact on the LDCs that it requires a rethinking of the development paradigm. Includes sections on agricultural and industrial policy. From the UN Conference on Trade and Development.
http://www.ctc.usma.edu/publications/Southeast%20Asia%20Report.pdf
Examines the prominence and content of jihadi ideology across Southeast Asia to gain a better understanding of the types of threats to American interests in the region. Focuses on jihadi ideology in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Phillipines, and Thailand. From the Combating Terrorism Center at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
http://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PDACN044.pdf
Reports on progress in controlling diseases in children under age five in developing countries from 1985, when 1 in 10 children did not live to see their fifth birthday, to 2006. Claims that more than 7 million lives are being saved annually by immunizations, nutrition programs, and control of diarrheal diseases. From the Agency for International Development.
http://www.parliament.uk/commons/lib/research/rp2009/rp09-051.pdf
Provides a brief historical and social survey of Sri Lanka, the origin of the conflict between the Sri Lanka government and the Tamil Tigers, events since the failure of the 2002 cease fire agreement, and future prospects for the country. House of Commons Library Research Paper 09/51.
http://www.strategicstudiesinstitute.army.mil/pubs/display.cfm?pubID=921
Looks at the possibility of using nonmilitary means as part of a coordinated strategy to achieve American aims in Central Asia. From the Strategic Studies Institute of the U.S. Army War College.
http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/row/R40605.pdf
Examines political destabilization in Thailand since a 2006 military coup and the implications for U.S. regional interests. From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists.
http://www.unescap.org/stat/data/syb2008/ESCAP-syb2008.pdf
Offers statistical tables, charts, and a narrative overview of the 58 countries of the Asia and Pacific region. Provides over 200 indicators of social, economic and environmental development. Includes 29 chapters on topics such as demographic trends, gender equality, migration, urbanization, health, education, employment, energy supply and use, and economic growth. From the United Nations.
