TURKEY
Political Front: Supporters of detained PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan have been asking government to provide better living 
conditions in jail, to their leader. Turkish Foreign Ministry however declared his prison to be of international standard. Recently emerged issue of government’s treatment of PKK's jailed leader; led Democratic Society Party (DTP) to start anti-government rallies. Meanwhile DTP leaders have claimed that government's democratic initiative has ended.
In the meantime other opposition parties have also mounted pressure upon the government to end peace initiative. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan however reiterated his party's intention to continue plans for the settlement of the Kurdish question through a massive democratization package.
Amidst ongoing crisis court started hearing a case filed by the Supreme Court of Appeals’ Prosecutor’s Office in 2007 against the pro-Kurdish Democratic Society Party (DTP) demanding its closure on charges of separatism. Meanwhile seven soldiers were killed in the central province of Tokat after Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) terrorists opened fire on soldiers patrolling a rural area in the district.
Geo-strategic Front: US President Obama pushed Turkey for more support in curbing Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Erdogan during his visit to the US however asked Obama to give more time for talks with Iran, before seeking a fourth round of UN Security Council sanctions. While talking about the Cyprus issue; Erdogan asked the US administration to exert greater effort to press for a solution on the island by March next year. Meanwhile he dismissed any chances of troop’s withdrawal from Cyprus unless Greece takes similar measures.
Meanwhile the EU has repeatedly asked Turkey to open its ports and airports to traffic from Greek Cyprus but Turkey hasn't complied with it so far. Turkish Cypriot leader has been asking Turkey not to open access to its ports and airports unilaterally rather to wait for lasting solution. In a statement issued in Brussels after a meeting of the EU General Affairs and External Relations Council, the 27 EU ministers expressed “deep regret” over the absence of improvement in Turkey’s relations with Greek Cyprus. Turkey has condemned the Council for ignoring Greece and pressurizing Turkey who had already been taking practical measures to settle the issue.
As regards halted Turkish-Israeli ties, Turkey has accused Israel for innocent killings of Palestinians during their raids against Gaza. Meanwhile, responding to a question concerning rumors that Israel had entered Turkey's airspace for espionage purposes, Erdogan refuted these. All the while Turkish relations with Macedonia, Mexico, Albania, Germany, plus Turkish role in Afghanistan also grabbed attention.
Social Front: Pharmacies across Turkey, except for pharmacies listed to stay open, were closed to protest a decrease in the price of medicine.
Economic Front: United States Trade Representative and Turkish Deputy Prime Minister have unveiled a new forum aimed at boosting trade and investment ties between the two nations. Meanwhile the Turkish Statistics Institute (Turk Stat) revealed that Turkey's gross domestic product (GDP) shrank by 3.3 percent in the third quarter of 2009, compared to the same period last year.
GCC- Gulf Cooperation Council
Political Front: Kuwait's parliament quized the prime minister of the oil-rich Gulf state over allegations of corruption; the Kuwaiti government won the battle of interpellations. Kuwait entered a new period of political turmoil as 10 opposition MPs filed a motion of “non-co-operation” against the premier over corruption charges after a marathon closed session. To pass, it requires a simple majority of elected members of the Assembly, which currently stands at 49.
Geo-strategic Front: General James Jones, national security adviser to President Barack Obama, has claimed it would be useful to have contributions of additional manpower and personnel from the Gulf States as part of the new US strategy in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
The GCC heads of parliaments and Shura councils ended their two-day meetings. Their final communiqué included the approval of the regulatory guidelines of the parliamentary and foreign relations coordination committee, review of a memo on 2009 activities by the GCC Secretariat, a report by Oman on its presidency over the previous session and activities during that period, and review of developments along the Saudi borders and support to the Kingdom's measures aiming to protect its sovereignty.
Saudi forces have repulsed Yemeni Shia rebels trying to seize a border village inside the kingdom. Saudi Arabia has denied Tehran's charge that an Iranian nuclear scientist was kidnapped on a pilgrimage to Mecca and hauled off to the United States.
Meanwhile Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad called on states of the Gulf region to expand cooperation and promote ties for welfare of the peoples of the region. Iran and the United Arab Emirates signed five documents for cooperation in various spheres including law and commerce.
Social Front: A campaign has been launched for the voting age in Bahrain to be lowered to 19. Meanwhile Bahrain has been found at higher risk than most countries from threats such as rises in sea levels.
Economic Front: The GCC has one of the lowest total tax rates (TTR) and simplest taxation compliance requirements worldwide for business establishments. Stocks in Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain all suffered steep falls after trading resumed on December 1 but have since stabilized. Dubai and Abu Dhabi stock markets recovered amid an apparent return of confidence, closing up more than one and almost four percent, respectively, after heavy losses over Dubai’s debt woes. Saudi Arabia's index has emerged as the best performing market in the Gulf region this year. Meanwhile Saudi Arabia's top monetary official sought to reassure investors and play down the impact of Dubai World’s debts.
In a move to strengthen its international operations and capitalize on business opportunities in Pakistan, Dubai Islamic Bank’s fully-owned Pakistani subsidiary, has opened 10 new branches across the country.
Political Front: Council of Europe has selected members of the observation mission; being headed by Turkey, to monitor municipal elections in Azerbaijan. Meanwhile opposition parties have expressed their intention to start unity talks in early 2010. Proposals for Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbaev to be named ''president for life'' have contributed to concerns about Kazakh democracy.
Kyrgyz Emergency Situations Minister Kamchybek Tashiev has resigned as Prime Minister reprimanded him during the session for using reserve funds to build houses for ministry personnel in the southern city of Osh. A former senior Kyrgyz Security Council official has been hospitalized after a reported attack in the capital, Bishkek.
Uzbek authorities have increased assaults on human rights activists ahead of upcoming parliamentary elections. Meanwhile 60 practicing Muslims have been detained in southern Uzbek prison on charges of religious extremism.
Geo-strategic Front:In an effort to enhance ties with Azerbaijan, Iran has announced plans to unilaterally cancel its visa regime, allowing Azerbaijanis to visit and stay in Iran for a month without visa. Meanwhile Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov has insisted on restoring control over Nagorno-Karabakh despite accepting the right to self-determination as a core principle for resolving the Armenian-Azerbaijani dispute over the territory. The US has been putting efforts as a mediator to achieve final solution to the conflict.
NATO has launched a new pilot project for social adaptation of reserve troops in Kyrgyzstan. Meanwhile Tajikistan has extended full support to the measures being taken by the US in order to bring stability in Afghanistan. Also Turkmenistan and EU have started discussing prospects to enhance economic cooperation.
Social Front:The Azerbaijani parliament has voted to make it illegal to employ children under the age of 15.
Several senior Kazakh officials have been jailed in high-profile corruption cases over the last two years. Meanwhile a high school geography teacher in the southeastern Kazakh city of Taldy-Qorghan has sought permission to wear an Islamic head scarf since the wearing of a Hijab is prohibited in class. In order to fight swine flu, Kazakh health officials have recently presented a vaccine.
The Kyrgyz nongovernmental organization "Citizens against Corruption" has won the French Liberty, Equality, and Brotherhood Award for 2009. Kyrgyz authorities recently denied entry to prominent Tajik human rights activist Nigina Bakhrieva, which prompted a call from Human Rights Watch to seize harassment. Meanwhile a woman suffering from swine-flu-like symptoms has died in northern Tajikistan in what could be the country's first reported death from the H1N1 virus.
Turkmen President has signed a decree granting amnesty to nearly 4,000 convicts in honor of a national holiday. Meanwhile Uzbek students who refused to work in cotton fields during the harvest season have been expelled from high schools and universities. The Human Rights Watch has strongly criticized such repressive policies of the Uzbek government.
Economic Front:Azerbaijan has started exporting Azeri Light oil to Turkey via Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan Pipeline. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $500,000 technical assistance (TA) grant to develop a project design and feasibility study for a new regional power rehabilitation project in Tajikistan. Meanwhile Uzbekistan has officially announced withdrawal from the Regional Power Grid.
EAST ASIA
Political Front: An anti-corruption rally was planed in Indonesia, which the President declared a threat to oust him, a claim denied by protestors. Meanwhile recent unrest in the province of Maguindanao has led President of Philippines to declare martial law in the region, a move that the former President highly criticized.
Geo-strategic Front: Indonesia and China have strongly emphasized the need to enhance bilateral strategic ties. Meanwhile Malaysian Prime Minister has recently paid his first visit to Thailand in order to promote their annual consultation.
Social Front: Human Rights Chief in Philippines has accused Ampatuan clan for their involvement in last month’s political massacre in Maguindanao that left 57 civilians dead. Meanwhile the two-day talks between the Philippines government and representatives of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) ended with both sides optimistic over the continuation of the stalled peace parleys. Also five thousand supporters of former Thai leader Thaksin Shinawatra rallied in Bangkok, seeking to put pressure on Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, whose rule they deem as illegitimate.
Economic Front:Asian Development Bank has announced to grant US$200 million loan to Indonesia for further reforms to spur sustainable growth and cut poverty. All the while government is making efforts to convert its maritime resources into huge foreign exchange reserves.
Despite visible fall in GDP Thai economy shows sign of recovery and seems to be an attractive market for investment. The failure of the government’s privatization program and the deterioration of revenue collection remain causes for concern as they would lead the Philippines to incur a budget gap equivalent to 4% of its economic output.
Malaysia's prime minister has announced some potent liberalization measures. Corruption however seems to be a major obstacle in the way of foreign investments. Japan still appears to be the largest foreign investor in Malaysia. The public sectors dealing in halal food in Malaysia and Pakistan have been working towards increaseing cooperation in agriculture and veterinary services. Malaysia also seems keen to sign regional and bilateral Free Trade Agreements (FTAs).
Vietnam's import from Indonesia stood at 1.18 billion U.S. dollars in the first ten months of this year, down 20 percent from the same period last year. Meanwhile Vietnam has won a contract to export 400,000 tons of rice to the Philippines. IMF has asked Cambodia to take measures for the betterment of its banking system that has badly suffered due to global economic downturn.
CHINA
Political Front: The electoral setback of Taiwan's ruling Kuomintang (KMT) and better performance of pro-independence opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in recently held local elections is expected to spoil chances of collaboration between Taiwan and mainland China.
Geo-strategic Front: A delegation from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah movement ended a one-week visit to China to boost cooperation. Meanwhile China pledged to work with Indonesia to push forward the bilateral strategic partnership. Likewise China and Philippines have also agreed to promote defence ties. Chinese President Hu Jintao also spoke highly of the strategic security talks with Russia that helped to promote bilateral ties. Also Chinese growing tie with Central Asia Republics, Japan, Egypt, Peru and Canada were also in focus this week.
Social Front: 76 percent white-collars working in Chinese mainland cities suffer sub-health and nearly 60 percent are over fatigued; among high income group aged from 35 to 50. Meanwhile China has launched 45,000 governmental websites this year. China has invested more than 6.5 billion yuan (959 million U.S. dollars) to preserve grasslands in northern Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Meanwhile a pipeline leak has cut water supplies to thousands of families for more than 18 hours in the Northeast China.
Economic Front:Chinese economy has suffered from Dubai economic crunch yet business community retained their confidence. Peru's government has recently ratified a free trade agreement with China. Meanwhile the Chinese government pledged to push forward the transformation of its economic development pattern next year while maintaining stable and comparatively fast economic growth.
China's exports have dropped considerably to the United States since the financial meltdown. On the whole, China's imports and exports rose 9.8 percent in November year on year, ending a 12-month decline, to stand at $208.2 billion. China's GDP is estimated to reach 8.3 percent growth this year with next year surpassing nine percent. In the meantime the China Investment Corporation (CIC), has nearly doubled its overseas investment this year compared with last year, putting most of the funds into foreign energy and mining companies. Lastly, China intends to boost consumer spending in line with a strategy to lift the country's economy.
Business and Politics in the Muslim World (BPM)refers to the project entitled, "Globalized Business and Politics: A View from the Muslim World.' The blog development project has been undertaken and developed jointly by the Gilani Research Foundation and BPM as a free resource and social discussion tool.
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