KACHIN REBELS IN EARLY DEAL WITH MYANMAR GOV.
The Burmese government has reached an agreement with Kachin rebels, raising hopes of an end to the conflict which has blemished the record of the central government amidst its tentative democratic transition. The deal stipulates that both sides will deescalate militarily, open up new lines of communication, and schedule further dialogues. Located in the north of the country, Kachin rebel groups, primarily the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO), have historically sought greater autonomy from the Burmese government, with disputes often escalating into open conflict. The most recent episode of violence stemmed from the Kachin groups’ refusal to allow the resupply of military bases in the north, prompting a military response from the government. The Kachins are currently the only major ethnic group in Myanmar that hasn’t normalized relations with the central government. (Washington Post February 4, 2013)
PENTAGON EXPECTS US TO MAINTAIN A PRESENCE IN AFGHANISTAN
Top Pentagon officials have expressed their support for maintaining a US troop presence in Afghanistan even after the scheduled US withdrawal date in December of 2014. Citing discussions from the NATO conference in Chicago last summer, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Martin Dempsey took to the Sunday talk shows emphasizing the importance of an enduring presence in the country. Both the size of the potential US force and its mission and goals remain unknown. (New York Times February 4, 2013)
ISRAEL SEEKS MAJOR ARMS DEAL WITH INDIA
Israel and India appear close to a major defense deal that could allow India to upgrade its fleet of Israeli made drones as well as acquire the Israeli Iron Dome defense system. Reports of the possible deal arose following meetings between Israeli military officials and India’s air force commander Air Marshal Browne last week. Israel has a strong defense partnership with India, having sold more than $10 billion worth of military equipment to Delhi over the past decade, including unmanned surveillance aircraft as well as the Barak air defense system. India has also expressed interest in domestically producing Iron Dome systems under license, however it is yet to be seen whether or not this will be met with approval by the United States, who played a large role in the development of the system. (UPI February 4, 2013)
CHINA POISED TO CONTROL STRATEGIC PAKISTANI PORT
China Overseras Port Holdings Limited, a government-owned Chinese company, appears ready to assume operational control of the southern Pakistani port of Gwadar, after the Singaporean company that managed the port in recent years, PSA International, quit the project. The last hurdle to the transfer of the port remains a court case challenging PSA’s ownership of the port which is expected to be dismissed. China played a large role in financing the $200 million Gwadar port and its strategic value as a deep water port in close proximity to the Strait of Hormuz could help to alleviate Chinese concerns regarding future energy security. Since the early days of Chinese involvement in the port project there has been rampant speculation about whether or not Beijing would seek to establish a military presence there, and those suspicions have been rekindled by the transfer of the port to a Chinese company.
While strategically located along the busy sea lines of communication in the Indian Ocean, the port has been deemed a “commercial failure” and is only operating at 15% capacity, hobbled by regional instability and a lack of connectivity to Pakistan’s primary road and rail networks. Chinese officials are reportedly working with Pakistan to finish construction of a new 550-mile highway that could link the port to China’s North-South Indus Highway. Pakistan’s government was supposed to complete the road in 2012 but it only remains 60 percent finished. When complete, the transit corridor could cut the distance between China’s western provinces and the sea in half, from 2,500 miles (to China’s east coast) to 1,250 (to Gwadar on the Arabian Sea). (AP February 1, 2013)
CAMERON WANTS DIRECT TALKS WITH TALIBAN
In a direct appeal to Taliban officials in Afghanistan, British Prime Minister David Cameron has called for direct talks with the terrorist group regarding the future of the country. In his remarks following meetings with Afghan president Hamid Karzai and Pakistani president Asif Ali Zardari, Cameron stressed the importance of developing an inclusive Afghan political environment in promoting future development. In addition to supporting peace talks with the Taliban, Zardari and Karzai spoke favorably regarding improved relations between their two countries. (The Guardian February 4, 2013)