South Asia Security Monitor: No. 224

December 16:

The sky is no longer the limit for China-Taiwan relations. Another barrier between the neighboring nations fell as a passenger plane traveled directly across the Taiwan Strait from Taipei to Shanghai - the first of its kind since the end of China's civil war in 1949. The New York Times reports that improved relations have led to direct flights being available daily. Until now, flights had to travel between the two nations by passing through Hong Kong airspace, doubling the flight time.


December 19:

In the wake of terrorism in India, other Asian powers are stepping up their counterterrorism readiness. According to the Earth Times, Indonesian security forces have staged a three day military counter terrorism drill in the Strait of Malacca. The maneuvers reportedly included a simulation of how their security forces would handle a situation similar to the terrorist attack on the Indian city of Mumbai.

In particular, the Indonesian armed forces are said to be preoccupied with preventing the Muslim militant group Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) from attempting another significant attack. It has been three years since JI's last successful large-scale assault.

Relations continue to sour on the Korean Peninsula, with the DPRK accusing its southern neighbor of attempting to assassinate Kim Jong-il. BBC News reports that Pyongyang has arrested a North Korean citizen for alleged involvement in a "terrorist mission" to kill senior leadership under the direction of South Korea's main intelligence agency. South Korean intelligence has denounced the allegations.


December 26:

U.S. efforts to sway Afghan tribal leaders and warlords have taken on a much more personal nature. According to the Washington Post, CIA officials are using Viagra, the sexual performance enhancement drug, to befriend older tribal leaders in exchange for their aid in fighting the rising Taliban insurgency. "The usual bribes of choice - cash and weapons - aren't always the best options," veterans of the Afghanistan campaign say. "Guns too often fall into the wrong hands, they say, and showy gifts such as money, jewelry and cars tend to draw unwanted attention."


December 27:

The recent terrorist attack in Mumbai has sparked fears of major war between India and Pakistan, and caused Islamabad to strengthen troop presence at the India border. According to the Washington Post, Pakistan has called for reinstatement of troops on leave in addition to diverting troops from the Afghan border regions to prepare for conflict against India. Some media outlets have reported significant Pakistani troop movements. However, a senior Pakistani official claims less than 5,000 soldiers have received new orders.