COUNTRY REVIEWS

East Asia

China
(December 12-18, 2011)

• Polish President Bronislaw begins China visit; China, Cyprus hail fortieth anniversary of diplomatic ties; Japanese PM to visit China; China not to meddle in Taiwan elections; Chinese navy is considering the taking on supplies in the Seychelles while conducting escort missions

West Asia

Iran
(December 12-18, 2011)

• Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Saeed Jalili: Departure of US troops from Iraq will pave the way for the progress and prosperity of the Iraqi nation; US military equipment must pay Iran $2.8 million in a dispute over a 1977 contract; Iran claims to arrest US spy near Bagram Air Field

Iraq
(December 12-18, 2011)

• Iraq assumes command of the last US military base in the country; Iraqiya bloc Premier Iyad Alawi: Iraqiya bloc rejects system of policy-making

DEFENCE REVIEW

National

(December 12-18, 2011)

• India to focus on military development over the next five years; India raises Gorshkov issue with Russia

(December 19-25, 2011)

• DRDO plans Rs 500-crore unmanned ground vehicle for the Indian army; DRDO’s robot to help Indian army in fighting terrorism

International

(December 12-18, 2011)

• US formally ends Iraq campaign; NATO ends its training mission in Iraq unexpectedly

(December 19-25, 2011)

• Uncertainty prevails in US over Iran’s nuclear programme; Philippines to boost its air power with US help

INTERNAL SECURITY REVIEW

Jammu and Kashmir
(December 12-18, 2011)

• Defence Minister A K Antony: Decision of AFSPA revocation to be taken after consultation with security forces; Militants held by Police in Baramulla

Northeast India
(December 12-18, 2011)

• The hard-line faction of the ULFA claims Himanta Biswa Sharma, Health Minister, Assam was a member of the outfit; Supreme Court to hear petition on Manipur blockade; Six injured in a blast in Imphal; PM’s statement undermines Naga talks; United People’s Democratic Solidarity (UPDS) cadres lay down arms; Blockade against mega dams construction in Lakhimpur; Militants surrender in Manipur; Two Garo militants killed in Meghalaya

UNITED NATIONS (UN) REVIEW

(December 12-18, 2011)

• UN Security Council calls on Iraq to intensify efforts to clarify whereabouts of Kuwait’s archives; Mandate of UN panel of experts on Liberia extended; Security Council expands mandate of UN peacekeeping force in Abyei; Chad and Malawi referred to the UNSC for failing to cooperate with ICC; UNSC stresses for comprehensive strategy to address Somalia’s problems; Russia backs India’s bid for permanent membership to UNSC; India’s calls for measures against armed groups in Darfur; India calls for the prevention of transatlantic slave trade

(December 19-25, 2011)

• India calls for diplomatic solutions to Iran’s nuclear programme; UNSC condemns terrorist attacks in Syria; Security Council welcomed political progress in Yemen; UN Security Council extends mandates of UN missions in Central African Republic, Guinea-Bissau, Golan Heights, Burundi and Abyei; UNSC appreciates efforts made by Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia; Bhutan expresses support to India’s bid for permanent membership to UNSC