CONFLICT & TERROR 03/04

Chinese leaders confront economic crisis Posted on Tuesday, March 3, 2009 at 9:04am

When China's legislature opens its annual session this week, the focus will be on jobs, the economy and social stability. Every year, over 3,000 delegates to the National People's Congress meet in Beijing to review draft laws and vote on government budget and policies. Delegates come from central and local governments, the military and police, including ethnic minority representatives, who typically show up in their traditional costumes. Full Story

Thailand: Myanmar to allow refugees Posted on Tuesday, March 3, 2009 at 9:07am

Myanmar will allow Rohingya refugees back into the country if they can prove that they are Bengali, Thailand's foreign ministry said. The agreement was reached in side talks between the Thai and Myanmese foreign ministers during the 14th ASEAN summit, a meeting of Southeast Asian nations held in Thailand over the weekend, said Thai Foreign Ministry spokesman Thairit Charungwat on Monday. Full Story

French minister says NATO committed in Afghanistan Posted on Tuesday, March 3, 2009 at 9:09am

French Defense Minister Herve Morin says the NATO alliance should remain militarily engaged in Afghanistan as long as is necessary. Morin said in a speech Monday at a Washington think tank that NATO also should transfer gradually responsibility for security to the Afghan people by strengthening the armed forces and police. Full Story

Pakistan cites gains over militants in border area Posted on Tuesday, March 3, 2009 at 9:12am

Lines of wrecked shops, destroyed gas stations and huge bomb craters serve as evidence of the force deployed last week by Pakistani soldiers in retaking this town near the Afghan border from Islamic militants. Full Story

Three arrested in Jamrud for alleged links with Taliban Posted on Tuesday, March 3, 2009 at 9:14am

Security forces arrested three suspicious men during a raid on a house in Jamrud tehsil of Khyber Agency on Monday, sources said. Full Story

Eight dead in attack on Sri Lanka cricketers in Pakistan Posted on Tuesday, March 3, 2009 at 9:35am

Gunmen attacked Sri Lanka's cricket team in a gun and grenade assault Tuesday in the Pakistani city of Lahore that killed eight people and wounded seven members of the squad. Full Story

India slams 'inadequate' Pakistan after Lahore attack
Posted on Tuesday, March 3, 2009 at 9:54am

India denounced "hopelessly inadequate" Pakistani security after Tuesday's attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore and cited Islamabad for failing to crush militant groups on its soil. Full Story

Obama Offered Deal to Russia in Secret Letter Posted on Tuesday, March 3, 2009 at 9:58am

President Obama sent a secret letter to Russias president last month suggesting that he would back off deploying a new missile defense system in Eastern Europe if Moscow would help stop Iran from developing long-range weapons, American officials said Monday. Full Story

Afghan Women Slowly Gaining Protection Posted on Tuesday, March 3, 2009 at 10:02am

Mariam was 11 in 2003 when her parents forced her to marry a blind, 41-year-old cleric. The bride price of $1,200 helped Mariams father, a drug addict, pay off a debt. Full Story

Pakistan arrests suspects in Sri Lanka team attack Posted on Wednesday, March 4, 2009 at 6:26am

Police detained several suspects connected to the attack on Sri Lanka's cricket team in Pakistan, but said Wednesday they had made no progress in tracking down the group of gunmen that wounded seven players and killed six police guarding them. Full Story

Blast hits US base in Afghanistan, several wounded Posted on Wednesday, March 4, 2009 at 6:26am

A bomb blast exploded outside the main U.S. base in Afghanistan on Wednesday, wounding several people, a U.S. official said. An Afghan governor blamed the attack on a suicide car bomber, and the Taliban claimed responsibility. Full Story

Officials: Bomber kills 3 in Baghdad attack Posted on Wednesday, March 4, 2009 at 6:27am

A suicide bomber set off a blast among members of a police intelligence unit Wednesday, killing three people and leaving others wounded, officials said. Full Story

Ukrainian security agents raid Naftogaz offices Posted on Wednesday, March 4, 2009 at 6:27am

Ukrainian national security service agents raided the headquarters of the country's troubled natural gas company Wednesday and began questioning a top accountant and searching for documents, officials said. Full Story

Mexico troops enter drug war city Posted on Wednesday, March 4, 2009 at 6:28am

More than 1,500 Mexican troops have moved into a city on the US border being fought over by rival drug gangs. Soldiers moved into Ciudad Juarez to try to regain control of a city in which more than 2,000 people have been murdered over the past year. Full Story

China to boost military spending Posted on Wednesday, March 4, 2009 at 6:29am

China says it will increase military spending by a "modest" 14.9% this year to 480.6bn yuan ($70.2bn; #50bn). The money will pay for better salaries, modernisation, and "capacity building programmes" including counter-terrorism and disaster relief, a spokesman said. Full Story

Two blasts hit main Burmese city Posted on Wednesday, March 4, 2009 at 6:29am

Reports from Burma say there have been two explosions in the country's main city, Rangoon. An eyewitness told the BBC Burmese Service that the first blast was near a park close to Myaynigone junction - a busy western area with a bus terminal. Full Story

Irish police: Gang threatened other bank workers Posted on Monday, March 2, 2009 at 6:59am

A Bank of Ireland employee was able to convince co-workers to let him walk out with four bags of cash because kidnappers who were threatening to kill his family also gave him photographs of his colleagues' faces and homes, police said Monday. Full Story

Pakistan cleric says govt must fulfill sharia promise Posted on Monday, March 2, 2009 at 8:30am

An influential Muslim cleric in Pakistan's volatile Swat valley on Sunday said the government must follow through on its promise to implement Islamic law in the area or face protests. Full Story

In Brief: Abduction of health workers on the rise in Afghanistan Posted on Monday, March 2, 2009 at 8:33am

Unidentified armed men have abducted at least 10 health workers in the western province of Farah and the southern province of Zabul over the past two months, provincial officials told IRIN. Full Story

Pakistan claims victory in Taliban fight Posted on Monday, March 2, 2009 at 8:36am

Maj Gen Tariq Khan, the commander of military operations in five of Pakistan's seven tribal agencies, said his paramilitary Frontier Corps (FC) had driven extremists out of Bajaur, where Pakistani forces have waged a six-month long campaign. Full Story

US missile strike kills eight in Pakistan: officials Posted on Monday, March 2, 2009 at 8:39am

At least eight militants were killed Sunday in a suspected US missile strike which destroyed a Taliban hide-out in northwest Pakistan, security officials said. Full Story

Tactical Success, Strategic Defeat Posted on Monday, March 2, 2009 at 8:43am

The U.S. soldiers entered the sleeping village in Logar province in the dead of night on Feb. 20, sure of their target and heavily armed. They surrounded a mud-walled compound, shouting commands, and then kicked down the gate as cries of protest erupted within. Full Story

From a Fortified Base, a Different View of Afghanistan Posted on Monday, March 2, 2009 at 8:45am>

From the air, this U.S. Army camp in Logar province looks like a fortified gravel pit on a barren slope, surrounded by two-tiered sacks of dirt and razor wire. Full Story

NATO may ask China for support in Afghanistan Posted on Monday, March 2, 2009 at 4:12pm

NATO may ask China to provide support for the war effort in Afghanistan, including possibly opening a supply link for alliance forces, a senior U.S. official said Monday.The subject is still under consideration and no decision has been reached on whether to approach Beijing, the official said on condition of anonymity given the sensitivity of the issue. Full Story

Canada, allies will never defeat Taliban in Afghanistan: PM Harper Posted on Monday, March 2, 2009 at 4:14pm

CanadianPrime Minister Stephen Harper has said that neither Canada nor other foreign armies can defeat the Taliban. In an interview that was broadcast on Sunday, Harper said: Frankly, we are not going to ever defeat the insurgency. Full Story

Afghan civilians could bear brunt of increased war Posted on Monday, March 2, 2009 at 4:18pm

A top Red Cross official is expressing concern about what will happen to civilians in Afghanistan in the face of escalating war. Full Story

31 Dominican Republic generals dismissed for involvement in drug trafficking Posted on Monday, March 2, 2009 at 6:18pm

Dominican Republic President Leonel Fernandez ordered on Sunday the retirement of 31 generals from the Armed Forces and the National Police for their alleged implications in drug trafficking, according to reports reaching here from Santo Domingo. The decision was taken just two days after Fernandez had said in a joint session of the Congress that he will not be weak to take drastic measures against members of the armed forces and the police who broke the norms. Full Story

Sri Lanka Cricketers Targeted in Pakistan, Five Police Killed Posted on Tuesday, March 3, 2009 at 6:16am

Terrorists in Lahore killed at least five policemen and injured six members of the Sri Lankan cricket team in Pakistans worst attack on foreigners since last Septembers Marriott hotel bombing. Full Story

Iran says US journalist in prison Posted on Tuesday, March 3, 2009 at 6:20am

Iran's judiciary spokesman says a U.S. journalist detained about a month ago is being held in a prison north of the capital, Tehran. Full Story

Russia allows through U.S. supplies for Afghanistan Posted on Tuesday, March 3, 2009 at 6:21am

Russia has allowed a supply cargo for U.S. forces in Afghanistan through its territory by train, a sign of Moscow's growing cooperation with Washington on the issue. Full Story

Mexico increases airport security after robberies Posted on Tuesday, March 3, 2009 at 6:22am

More than 800 federal and local police have been assigned to improve security in and around Mexico City's international airport after a series of armed robberies against travelers who exchanged money there, authorities announced Monday. Full Story

US to go ahead with military drills in SKorea Posted on Tuesday, March 3, 2009 at 6:25am

North Korea vowed Tuesday to punish U.S. and South Korean "warmongers" after the American military said it would go ahead with annual joint exercises that Pyongyang calls an invasion rehearsal. Tensions in Northeast Asia have spiked amid mounting concern over the North's apparent plan to test-launch a missile believed capable of reaching the U.S. west coast. Full Story

Nepal peace at risk as Maoists plan hiring fighters Posted on Tuesday, March 3, 2009 at 6:53am

A former Maoist rebel commander said on Tuesday the group plans to recruit thousands of fighters, a move seen as a blow to peace and underlined serious tensions between Nepal's army and the Maoists. Full Story

Venezuela: Attack on Jewish Center Posted on Friday, February 27, 2009 at 8:49am

Assailants threw an explosive at a Jewish community center in Caracas, but nobody was hurt in the blast. No one claimed responsibility for the attack, which immediately reignited fears of rising anti-Semitism in Venezuela. Full Story

Colombian bases could accept more US planes: official Posted on Friday, February 27, 2009 at 8:50am

Colombia may allow more US aircraft on its air bases as part of a new military cooperation agreement being negotiated, according to visiting Defense Minister Juan Manuel Santos. The move could allow the United States to make up for the potential loss of Ecuador's Manta air force base, key to counternarcotics operations in the region, should a bilateral agreement not be renewed, as Quito has threatened. Full Story

US Senate panel to examine violence on Mexico border Posted on Friday, February 27, 2009 at 8:52am

A U.S. Senate panel said on Thursday it will examine rising violence along the U.S.-Mexico border, days after the U.S. government warned travelers about the growing risks and to take precautions. The U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee said it will hold two hearings over the coming weeks on how the two governments were addressing the situation and determine what are the potential implications for increased terrorist activity. Full Story

CIA And Pentagon Wonder: Could Mexico Implode? Posted on Friday, February 27, 2009 at 8:57am

Drug-related violence in Mexico is escalating at an alarming rate and threatening the government of President Felipe Calderon. CIA and U.S. military planners now fear a worst-case scenario  that the country could implode. Full Story

Taliban remove checkpoints in Swat Posted on Friday, February 27, 2009 at 9:08am

Taliban on Wednesday disbanded checkpoints and stopped carrying weapons in public a day after announcing an indefinite ceasefire in the Swat valley, witnesses said. Full Story

Pro-govt lashkar formed in Dera Bugti Posted on Friday, February 27, 2009 at 9:10am

Aali Khan Bugti, a grandson of veteran Baloch leader Nawab Akbar Bugti, has formed a tribal lashkar for protecting national installations and restoring peace in the district. Full Story

Doubts beset Islamabads Shariah deal for Swat Posted on Friday, February 27, 2009 at 9:12am

Since the government accepted a controversial peace deal earlier this month shops have reopened, the displaced have come home, relief supplies have arrived, and boys  and even some girls  are back at school.

However, the success of the decision to allow Shariah law as the only justice system in Swat depends on key elements  including how it will be implemented and who will be responsible for enforcing it - none of which is any clearer 10 days after the ink dried. Full Story

Pakistan urges rethinking of U.S. drone attacks Posted on Friday, February 27, 2009 at 9:14am

Pakistan wants the United States to rethink its use of drones to attack militant targets and has asked Washington to transfer the pilotless aircraft to Islamabad, the country's foreign minister said on Wednesday. Full Story

FBI to visit Pakistan next month: foreign ministry Posted on Friday, February 27, 2009 at 9:16am

The director of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) will lead a team visiting Pakistan next month to help investigate the Mumbai attacks, the foreign ministry said Thursday. Full Story

'Colonel' from Pakistan wanted in Mumbai case Posted on Friday, February 27, 2009 at 9:17am

A Pakistani man using "colonel" as a title is one of about three dozen people wanted over November's terrorist attacks in Mumbai, but his connections with the Pakistani army have not been established, Indian prosecutors say. Full Story

Pak govt imposed restrictions on A Q Khan, says US intelligence office Posted on Friday, February 27, 2009 at 9:19am

The Pakistan government has imposed restrictions on the disgraced nuclear scientist A Q Khan though he has been released from the house arrest, a top United States intelligence official has said. Full Story

Pentagon spends more to counter roadside bombs in Afghanistan Posted on Friday, February 27, 2009 at 9:21am

As part of its buildup in Afghanistan, the Pentagon plans to deploy billions of dollars in heavily armored vehicles, spy planes, jammers and even experimental ground-penetrating radars to defend troops against roadside bombs that are proving increasingly lethal. Full Story

Obama Gathers Two-Thirds Support for Additional Troops to Afghanistan Posted on Friday, February 27, 2009 at 9:23am

Nearly two-thirds of Americans support Barack Obama's decision to send 17,000 more U.S. troops to Afghanistan -- despite substantial skepticism on whether the war there has been worth fighting. Full Story

India's role in the Great Game in Afghanistan Posted on Friday, February 27, 2009 at 9:26am

The ongoing battle in Afghanistan, recognised as the Great Game, is going to dominate 2009. America, China, Saudi Arabia and neighbouring countries like Pakistan, Iran, Russia and India are considered the main players in the battle against Al Qaeda and Taliban that nobody thinks is easy to win. Full Story

U.S. troops move on Taliban stronghold in Afghanistan Posted on Friday, February 27, 2009 at 9:27am

Hundreds of U.S. troops pushed into a key Taliban stronghold Wednesday in a major operation to stop the insurgents from infiltrating the Afghan capital from the south and clear the way for the first sustained international aid effort in this remote valley. Full Story

Pakistan's turmoil echoes in Afghanistan Posted on Friday, February 27, 2009 at 9:29am

The Pakistani government's peace agreement last week with militants in the Swat Valley, followed by ceasefires all across the tribal areas and the formation of a united Pakistani tribal front of mujahideen to reinforce the Taliban's battle in Afghanistan were the first seeds sown for the failure of the United States' plans for the region. Full Story

Qaeda won't be allowed in Swat Posted on Friday, February 27, 2009 at 9:31am

Pakistans foreign minister vowed yesterday his government would not tolerate Al Qaeda in its Swat Valley despite accepting a peace deal that includes imposition of Shariah law. Full Story

India, Pakistan Hold Highest Level Meeting Since Mumbai Attack Posted on Friday, February 27, 2009 at 9:32am

India and Pakistan held their highest-level meeting since Novembers terrorist attacks in Mumbai interrupted a five-year process to restore relations between the nuclear-armed neighbors. Full Story

U.S. Will Give Qaeda Suspect a Civilian Trial Posted on Friday, February 27, 2009 at 9:35am

The Justice Department, in an abrupt change in policy from the Bush administration, is preparing to bring terrorism-related charges against a man identified as an operative of Al Qaeda who has been held in a military brig for more than five years, government officials said Thursday. Full Story

Drone attacks not discussed with General Kayani: US Posted on Friday, February 27, 2009 at 10:07am

A day after Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood claimed that he had asked Washington to let Islamabad handle the drone attacks on militant hideouts inside its territory, the United States has said that the issue of drone attacks was not discussed with Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Kayani. Full Story

Pakistan police battle opposition supporters Posted on Friday, February 27, 2009 at 10:08am

Police fought running battles with supporters of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif near Pakistan's capital Friday as protests against a court order barring him from elected office continued for a third day. Full Story

Naval chief denies Mumbai gunman entered from Pakistan Posted on Friday, February 27, 2009 at 10:11am

Pakistan's naval chief Noman Bashir on Friday denied that Ajmal Kasab, the lone surviving alleged gunmen in the Mumbai attacks, entered India from Pakistani territorial waters. Full Story

Hostage-takers steal millions from Bank of Ireland Posted on Friday, February 27, 2009 at 10:50am

Police say a Bank of Ireland employee has stolen millions of euros from his own branch after a gang took his family hostage and threatened to kill them unless he cooperated. Full Story

Afghanistan's defense minister warns against U.S. pullback Posted on Friday, February 27, 2009 at 1:57pm

Afghanistan's defense minister warned Thursday that the Obama administration's proposed changes in U.S. war strategy risk undermining Kabul's civilian government because they appear to scale back U.S. goals in the country. Full Story

U.S., Pakistan and Afghanistan to Hold Regular Talks Posted on Friday, February 27, 2009 at 2:00pm

Intensifying its focus on Afghanistan and Pakistan, the United States said Thursday that it would hold regular three-way meetings with top officials from the neighboring countries, which the Obama administration sees as the main front of the battle against Islamic extremism. Full Story

Guinea-Bissau president assassinated by military Posted on Monday, March 2, 2009 at 5:08am

Guinea-Bissau soldiers killed President Joao Bernardo Vieira early Monday hours after a bomb attack which claimed the life of the West African country's military chief, an army spokesman said. Full Story

Mixed results in Spain elections Posted on Monday, March 2, 2009 at 5:27am

Nationalists have won the most votes in regional elections in Spain's Basque Country, but fallen short of a majority in parliament, final results show. Full Story

Armenia rally marks deadly riots Posted on Monday, March 2, 2009 at 6:17am

Thousands of opposition supporters in Armenia attended a rally on Sunday to mark the first anniversary of its worst political violence since independence. Full Story

North Korea holds rare UN talks Posted on Monday, March 2, 2009 at 6:18am

North Korea and the US-led United Nations Command in South Korea have held rare military talks on border tensions. The meeting, which lasted just over 30 minutes, was the first in seven years. Full Story

Israeli warning over Gaza rockets Posted on Monday, March 2, 2009 at 6:19am

Israel's prime minister has promised an "uncompromising response" if rockets continue to be fired from the Gaza Strip into Israel. Ehud Olmert said Israel's retaliation would be painful, harsh and strong. Full Story

US ready to aid Mexico drug fight Posted on Monday, March 2, 2009 at 6:20am

Defence Secretary Robert Gates has said the US wants to increase the military assistance it provides Mexico for its fight against drugs trafficking. He pointed to what he described as the Mexican president's courageous effort against the cartels. Mr Gates said Washington was more prepared now to help Mexico in its fight against the cartels which control the flow of illegal narcotics. Full Story

Suspected cartel hitmen attack Mexican police Posted on Monday, March 2, 2009 at 6:38am

Federal police made two arrests and confiscated weapons and marijuana Sunday in Tijuana, across the U.S. border from San Diego, after coming under attack by men linked to a drug cartel. Full Story

Courtesy Terrorism Research Center, Inc