COUNTRY REVIEWS

South Asia

Afghanistan

• The head of Afghan High Peace Council Salahuddin Rabbani’s visit to Pakistan postponed; NATO supplies restored by Afghanistan after private companies paid a customs duty of Rs. 80 million; US soldier killed by gunmen in Paktia province of Eastern Afghanistan

Pakistan

• Reports: The United States and Pakistan reach at an understanding on joint operations against the Haqqani network however no final decision has been taken yet; Reports: Pakistan may release former Quetta Shura chief Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar; Pakistan's PM Pervez Ashraf summoned before the Supreme Court for failing to reopen corruption cases against the President

East Asia

Southeast

• India- Thailand foreign office consultations held in Bangkok: US firms to spend US$ 5 billion in Indonesia; Saudi Arabia gives $ 50 million to Myanmar Rohingyas; Thirteen dead in Myanmar in ethnic clashes; Indian flees from Abu Sayyaf captivity; US begins cleaning up Agent Orange in Vietnam

Central Asia & Russia

Russia

• Russia’s Deputy Minister of Economic Development: Average annual capital flight from Russia to reach US$ 50 billion in 2012; President Putin: Russia was prepared for the 2008 military action in Georgia; Norwegian Statoil in talks with Gazprom over Shtokman; Russia handed over command of Blackseafor to Turkey; Russia signs an oil deal with Syria

West Asia

Iran

• Iran pushes for release of pilgrims in Syria; Iran earthquakes kill 250; Iran hosts emergency consultations on Syria; Iran to attend Mecca OIC meeting

Iraq

• Multiple insurgent attacks hit Iraq; Al Qaeda front group claims Iraq attacks

Israel/Palestine

• Hamas prepared to close tunnels if Rafah border opens permanently

Lebanon

• Lebanon not to attend Tehran meeting on Syria; US sanctions Hezbollah for role in Syrian crisis

Syria

• US and Turkey consider Syria no-fly zones; US plans new sanctions on Syria, Assad

Yemen

• UN envoy threatens with non-military sanctions

Kuwait

• Opposition criticises government over new electoral laws

Africa

• US and South Africa discuss investment and trade promotion; Reuters survey shows Asia taking record West African oil; Sudan agrees to allow relief supplies to rebel-controlled areas; Egypt orders air strike on Sinai peninsula; African leaders divided on composition of Congo force; Libya votes Mohammed Magarief as new President; US reaffirms its strategic partnership with Nigeria; Qatar announces $2bn financial support for Egypt

DEFENCE REVIEW

National

• Navy chief Admiral Nirmal Verma favoures the creation of a five-star post of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) as a single-point military advisor to the government; Air Chief assures that design issues in Sukhois' fly-by-wire controls will be addressed

International

• Collision between U.S. Navy destroyer and Japanese oil tanker in Persian Gulf; U.S. to retain close ties with Egypt’s military

UNITED NATIONS (UN) REVIEW

• UN Security Council condemns human rights violations in Mali; Council welcomes political progress in Somalia; UNSC supports preventive diplomacy in Central Asia