South Asia Security Monitor: No. 222

November 22:

As the conflict in Afghanistan continues to rage, the Pentagon still appears searching for a strategy to help tip the scales decisively against a resurgent Taliban. According to the Washington Post, Defense Secretary Robert Gates recently announced his support for a "surge" of approximately 20,000 additional U.S. troops for the war-torn country. The goal of the troop increase is said to be the provision of security ahead of the country's upcoming elections. Secretary Gates has been quoted as saying that protecting the elections “may be the most important objective for us in 2009.”


November 24:

Just weeks before the U.S. removed it from its list of state sponsors of terrorism, the DPRK was still engaged in dangerous proliferation activities. Newsweek reports that Pyongyang allegedly attempted to deliver sensitive missile technologies to Iran through Indian airspace on Aug. 4th. The shipment failed to make it to its destination after the India government, which had originally agreed to allow the North Korean airline to traverse its territory, was persuaded by the U.S. to revoke its permission.

The Bush administration is being roundly criticized for what many believe is its misplaced trust in the North Korean regime in ongoing negotiations over the latter's nuclear program. The Washington Times reports that many current and former U.S. officials are frustrated with the administration’s inability to hold the DPRK accountable for its failure to meet mutually agreed-upon milestones in the denuclearization process. North Korea's recent failure to honor an oral commitment to allow international inspectors to take samples at North Korean nuclear facilities to verify the nuclear activities has only fanned criticism of Washington's current negotiating stance.


November 27:

The Sri Lankan Army appears to be one step closer to eradicating a major contingent of the Tamil Tigers. According to the Times of London, some 6,000 Sri Lankan troops have reached the Tamil Tigers' headquarters in Kilinochchi - a stronghold that is being held by 1,000 militants from the terrorist group. If the resulting battle is successful for the Sri Lankan Army, the government will be close to fulfilling its promise to defeat the Tigers by end of the year.


December 3:

On November 26th, ten terrorists wreaked havoc in Mumbai, India, killing over 170 people in that nation’s financial capital. The Indian government has implicated Yusuf Muzammil, leader of Pakistani-based militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba, in orchestrating the ruthless attacks on the Taj Mahal Palace and Tower Hotel. The Wall Street Journal reports Indian police officials have recovered Satellite phones used by the terrorists to communicate with Mr. Muzammil and four other Lashkar leaders. The attack on Mumbai has further strained the already-tense relations between India and Pakistan.

American officials have been cooperating with the Indian government to probe the terrorist attack. U.S. authorities initially warned Indian officials of a potential attack, and have since collected evidence linking the Lashkar group with the terrorist attacks via satellite phone call intercepts. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, along with chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen will be traveling to India to help reduce tensions between New Delhi and Islamabad.