WARNINGS OF AN IRANIAN ATTACK ON TURKEY
After Turkish intelligence agencies circulated warnings of potential attacks from the Iranian Revolutionary Guard’s Quds force, the Iranian government came out to deny the allegations and reiterate the good relationship between the two countries, characterizing them as “brotherly” and “close.” The alleged plot, a potential bombing in Turkey by the Quds Force, was believed to be motivated by Turkey’s recent decision to allow NATO radar systems to be based in its country. Iran blamed the false reports on Israel and other foreign governments, claiming it has been a “victim of terrorism.” (January 20, Bloomberg)
[Editor’s note: The statements by Iranian officials are probably a reference to a string of assassinations of its nuclear scientists. Most recently, Mostafa Ahmadi Roshan, a director at the Natanz enrichment facility, was killed by a magnetic bomb attached to the bottom of his vehicle. Five others connected with the highly controversial Iranian nuclear program have been victims of similar assassinations in the past couple of years.]
SUNNI-SHIITE COOPERATION IN IRAQI PARLIAMENT
The Sunni Iraqiya bloc’s vote on January 29 to end its boycott of Parliament may be a step towards greater cooperation and power-sharing between the two main religious sects in Iraq. The Iraqiya bloc has referenced this decision as a, “gesture of goodwill,” but will continue its boycott of government at the cabinet level based on opposition to Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, the leader of the largest Shiite-backed alliance. Recent political pressure from Iraqi President Jalal Talabani and American Vice President Joe Biden, who have called for the assemblage of a national meeting on unresolved issues of governance and the encouragement of partnership in the decision-making process, may have led to this decision for re-engagement. A recent string of violent attacks, particularly on Shiites, and the withdrawal of the American military may have also contributed to the accelerated return of these Sunni legislators to Parliament. (January 29, CNN)
OUSTED FROM POWER, YEMEN’S PRESIDENT COMES TO U.S.
After 33 years in power, former President Ali Abdullah Saleh became the fourth leader to be ousted from power as a result of the Arab Spring on January 22. Saleh and several officials have received a promise of immunity after stepping down from power peacefully, but this agreement has spurred popular protest by those who view it as an obstruction of justice. His departure was mediated by Gulf and Western diplomatic efforts and voted into law by the country’s Parliament. The former President was injured by an assassination attempt in June of last year when he was badly burned and is currently receiving treatment in America for those wounds. His departure from Yemen may not be permanent as he returned to the country shorting after receiving medical treatment in Saudi Arabia last year and has also recently spoken of his return before the next presidential election. (January 28, BBC)
U.S. MILITARY ASSISTANCE TO UZBEKISTAN RESUMES
The U.S. government will resume providing military aid to Uzbekistan on a temporary basis after an eight-year ban, which was lifted on January 18 by Secretary of State Hilary Clinton. Since 2003, Uzbekistan has been refused assistance because of alleged human rights abuses, such as child labor, lack of religious freedom and repression of political opposition, while the government claimed it was responding to terrorism in its country. As the Uzbek government has only made some progress on its human rights situation, the change in policy by the U.S. could be a result of heightened tensions with Pakistan and Uzbekistan’s strategic geographic position. Uzbekistan is now perceived as an essential part of the Northern Distribution Network, a system of supply lines into Afghanistan, which the U.S. desires to expand rather than rely on the Pakistani border with Afghanistan to send equipment. In November 2011, Pakistan closed supply lines in response to an American air strike that resulted in the death of some of its troops. The temporary lift of the ban for Uzbekistan would only allow the U.S. to provide non-lethal supplies for defensive purposes, such as body armor and night vision goggles. (February 1, The Wall Street Journal)