“The Canadian military planners expect that Pakistan will collapse by 2016, and the territory will be occupied by India. Sound bizarre? Not so to the security analysts in Ottawa.” Downhill for Pakistan? (Dawn) Tariq Amin-Khan. Tuesday, January 19, 2010 For the record, I want to make clear that I am a staunch supporter and promoter […]
At the end of December, leaders of Russia and Turkmenistan met to discuss the future of their relationship. First, on December 22, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and his Turkmen counterpart Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov met in Ashgabat and signed an agreement to expand bilateral “strategic” energy cooperation. Then the heads of Gazprom and Turkmengaz signed an agreement […]
Yesterday marked the 15th anniversary of the Great Hanshin Earthquake, the 7.3 magnitude earthquake that rocked sections of Hyogo Prefecture near Kobe, Japan and claimed 6,434 lives. Ceremonies were held throughout Kobe, as government officials, members of Japan’s imperial family, and bereaved loved ones sat in silent prayer at 5:46 am, the time that the […]
The Israeli military is known for being the best in the world at certain things- namely assassinations, espionage, and long-range covert operations. Add another to the list. The Israeli military sent mobile hospitals to aid relief efforts in Haiti. The military certainly has experience, as the government set up hospitals during recent wars including Operation […]
Speculation surrounds the prospects for Israeli-Palestinian negotiations to resume in the near future. Both sides have expressed their desire to jump-start high-level talks, although both parties still seem to find excuses for failing to meet. One perspective points out that negotiations would only improve the Israeli position and that the Palestinians have nothing to gain. […]
On Saturday January 16, 2010 the Security Council and Germany met to discuss economic sanctions on Iran. As of Saturday, the deadline to accept Russia’s proposal to enrich Iran’s Uranium in Russia had expired without an answer from Iran. In addition, the 2010 anti-proliferation conference is approaching and the U.S. would like sanctions in place […]
Begum Khaleda Zia has accused the Awami League government of selling out Bangladeshi’s interests in favor of security and India’s regional ascendancy. Insisting that she has not taken a stand against India, per se, she nevertheless claimed that Sheikh Hasina had given away Bangladesh;s national sovereignty during her state visit to India. The Daily Star […]
Michael Byers, a professor of political science at the University of British Columbia and prominent researcher on the Arctic, has recently come out with a book entitled Who Owns the Arctic. This short, opinionated overview of Arctic issues encompasses a range of contentious topics such as sovereignty, which the title references. Perhaps of most importance […]
In China, accurately assessing public opinion on a given issue is more or less a hopelessly difficult task. With China’s huge population, the diversity of Chinese society, regional differences, lack of reliable public polling, etc., it is difficult to estimate with any certitude just how many people hold a certain belief. Anecdotal evidence and the work of a few bloggers […]
FPA has a new China blogger that I highly recommend checking out. His name is Henry Hoyle and he wrote this great piece on the numerous implications of China’s Aynak investment in Afghanistan. Here it is in full below: China’s Afghan Investment: Brilliant Strategy or Expensive Gamble? The December 31st NYT had a great in-depth […]
The Venezuelan government finally blinked when it came to financial pressures by devaluing its currency on January 8th. The rate of the Bolivar Fuerte had been pegged at 2.15 to the dollar and is now 2.6 for essential supplies and 4.3 for luxury goods. Last week the value of the dollar on the parallel market […]
After my last comments about Yemen, it was necessary that I offer a clearer viewpoint as to why I believe, the recent announcement by the Pentagon and the White House of the plan to put forward millions of dollars in military aid and assistance to the Yemeni government to fight Al-qaeda. Al-qaeda in the Arabian […]
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