RUSSIA MODERNIZING KYRGYZ, TAJIK DEFENSES
Russia has agreed to spend $1.5 billion to bolster Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan’s armed forces, countering Washington’s efforts to gain influence in the former Soviet Republics. According to a source close to the Russian-Kyrgyz Intergovernmental Commission, the agreements were signed in August during President Vladimir Putin’s tour throughout the region. Kyrgyzstan’s military, in desperate need of modernization, welcomes Russia’s support with open arms. “We don’t even have proper uniforms,” said a member of Kyrgyzstan’s Defense Council. Until recently, Kyrgyz artillerymen were using Howitzers dating back to the 1940s. The former Soviet Republic expects to receive armored personnel carriers, reconnaissance vehicles, helicopters, and a variety of small arms from Moscow. Current training programs will also be expanded significantly. Tajikistan, the beneficiary of a large Russian base on its southern border, will receive $200 million to modernize its air defenses and repair military hardware. (Kommersant Daily, November 9, 2012)
ISRAEL, HAMAS HURTLE TOWARD WAR...
In response to increasing volumes of rocket fire from the Gaza Strip, Israel launched a concentrated attack against Hamas over the past week, triggering what analysts say could become a repeat of the country’s ground invasion of Gaza nearly four years ago. After incurring months of repeated rocket attacks, Israel assassinated Ahmed al-Jabari, Hamas’s top military commander and mastermind behind several attacks against Israel in recent years. Hamas operatives immediately retaliated, launching hundreds of short and medium range rockets into Israel. Israel’s Iron Dome defense system has since intercepted close to half of the deadly rockets fired and only a small number have hit their desired targets. Hamas operatives have entrenched themselves among civilian neighborhoods, complicating the IDF’s efforts. Israel has dropped thousands of pamphlets cautioning the civilian population to move out of targeted areas and employed non-lethal sound bombs, called “roof knockers,” which warn civilians of oncoming attacks. Top-level officials from Israel, Hamas, Fatah, and surrounding countries have gathered in Cairo, where Egyptian Mohamed Morsi tries to broker a successful ceasefire. Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak has prepared for an extended conflict. “It will take some time and we are not going to stop until the whole thing will dramatically change.” (Reuters, November14, 2012; New York Times, November 15, 2012; Guardian, November 15, 2012; Guardian, November 19, 2012)
...AS ISRAEL'S NORTHERN FRONT HEATS UP
Israel fired into Syria last week, responding to a Syrian mortar shell landing in the Golan Heights. Defense forces quickly fired a warning shot in the source’s vicinity and then proceeded to land several “direct hits” on the Syrian artillery responsible. This marks the second time Syrian forces have fired into a neighboring country in the last month and the first time Israel exchanged fire with Syria in over four decades. Defense Minister Ehud Barak vowed direct reprisals for every shell fired into Israeli territory. “Additional shelling into Israel from Syria will elicit a tougher response, exacting a higher price from Syria,” read the official Israeli statement. Israeli defense forces alerted U.N. observers stationed in along the Golan Heights border. Despite signing a disengagement agreement in 1974, Israel and Syria technically remain at war. (Al-Arabiya, November 12, 2012)
SYRIAN OPPOSITION REORGANIZES
Under international pressure the Syrian opposition reorganized this month, forming a new political body to replace the ineffective Syrian National Council. Led by Moaz Khatib, a moderate former Sunni imam within the opposition, the National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces immediately sought recognition by the international community. Prime Minister of Qatar Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani quickly recognized the new group, followed by the Arab League, the Gulf Cooperation Council, and NATO. The National Coalition’s 60-member body better represents a cross-section of Syrians fighting the regime. Moaz Khatib, the group’s newly elected President, ruled out any negotiation with the current regime until Bashir Assad leaves Syria. Together with the 60-member body, Khatib will form a military council, judicial body, and temporary cabinet. Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates were quick to pledge financial and military support to the movement, while Washington has adopted a wait and see policy. (Wall Street Journal, November 11, 2012)
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