Global Security
Global Security
Fair Observer's analysis of issues in governance, constitution, law, enforcement, and justice both nationally and internationally.
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AFSPA / Human Rights Abuse / India / Indian Armed Forces / Indian Kashmir / Jammu and Kashmir / Kashmir / Militancy in Kashmir / Politics / The anti-AFSPA Movement / Focus Article / Global Security / AsiaBy Tanvi ManiIs it time the Indian government repealed the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act in Kashmir? The Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) stands as a testament to the clout of the Indian National Army and the tenacity with which it wields its power. Treading the thin line between a leviathan regiment and a liberal institution working for the welfare of the people, the central government often falls short of its duty to maintain the precarious balance between civil society, the army and the state. The AFSPA started out as an instrument of security – one that could be looked upon by Indian citizens as a safe keeper of their rights and a guardian of their vulnerabilities. Its...
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360° Analysis / 361 security / G8 summit / Irish Nationalist Groups / Northern Ireland / Provisional Irish Republican Army / Special Security Report / United Kingdom / United States / Europe / Global SecurityBy Paul AshleyPaul Ashley analyzes the potential impact of Northern Irish militant groups on the upcoming G8 Summit. [Note: This report was produced in collaboration with 361 Security.] Security Situation On June 17-18, the 39th G8 Summit will be held in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. Local and international security services have two major concerns regarding the conference. The first major concern is the threat of attack against the G8 Summit from militant Irish nationalist organizations, the Real Irish Republican Army (RIRA) and the Continuity Irish Republican Army (CIRA). Both groups splintered from the formerly active militant group the...
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360° Analysis / Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb / Algeria / Ansar Al Sharia / Ansar Dine / AQIM / France / French Intevention / Kidal / Mali / MNLA / MOJWA / North West Africa / Politics / Tuareg / Africa / Global SecurityAfter the successful French intervention in Mali, a fragile balance still exists in the country. This article is the last of a three part series. Read part one here. The Greatest Challenges for the Government Repairing a tarnished image: Even under the spell of decades of corruption, and two military coups following a war almost lost, and given its current status as an interim unity administration, the government of Mali has invested heavily in repairing its image and credibility in the international arena with extraordinary efficiency. Capitalizing on the previous benefits and fruits of its long tradition of democracy, the current representatives of the state, both domestically but...
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Arab Spring / Arab Uprisings / Bahrain / Egypt / EU / France / immigration / Interfaith dialogue / Islamism / Israel / Libya / NATO / Politics / Reform / Saudi Arabia / Strait of Hormuz / Tunisia / United States / Europe / Focus Article / Middle East / Global SecurityAfter decades of secular dictatorships, how will a new Middle East and North Africa alter centuries-old Arab-Western relations? This is the last of a two part series. Read part one here. Security related issues and natural resources are of core concern for Western nations in the Middle East and North Africa. As uprisings and civil wars have raged on, accusations of double standards have often been lamented upon the US, UK, and France. While the US has supported the right to peaceful protest in nations such as Egypt and Tunisia, and militarily backed anti-Qaddafi rebels in Libya with NATO, they showed reluctance to support civil political movements in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia....
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360° Analysis / Arms Trade in South Asia / Defence Procurement / India / Indian Defence Sector / Indo-Russia Miltary Relations / Moscow / Mumbai / Russia / Europe / Global Security / AsiaRussia may find it difficult to sell arms to its old ally and buyer India amid tightening defence procurement rules. By Rajeev Sharma India has promulgated a new Defence Procurement Procedure 2013 with effect from June 1, 2013. While the policy is aimed at laying a strong emphasis on promoting indigenisation and creating a level playing field for the Indian industry, it makes things even more difficult for India’s biggest armaments exporter: Russia. The big picture emerging from a study of the new policy is that the Russians need to explore more and more government-to-government routes for selling arms and weapons to India. While the new policy cannot be termed as harmful to Russian...
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360° Analysis / China / Diplomacy / economy / energy / EU / Gas / India / Iran / Libya / NAM / Oil / Pakistan / Politics / Qatar / Russia / Saudi Arabia / Separatism / Sudan / Syria / Washington Consensus / Middle East / Global Security / AsiaNicholas A. Heras speaks to Chris Zambelis, a noted political analyst, on the impact of China and India on the Greater Middle East. Nicholas A. Heras: How important are Chinese and Indian interests in the Greater Middle East's energy reserves? Chris Zambelis: Any discussion that aims to shed light on the nature and scope of China and India’s involvement in the broader Middle East needs to start with the energy question. Both countries have emerged as economic powerhouses in recent years. The rapid pace of economic development and growth in both China and India, to different degrees, has fueled tremendous domestic demand for energy, especially crude oil, but also increasingly...
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360° Analysis / Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb / Algeria / Ansar Al Sharia / Ansar Dine / AQIM / France / French Intevention / Kidal / Mali / MNLA / MOJWA / North West Africa / Politics / Tuareg / Africa / Global SecurityAfter the successful French intervention in Mali, a fragile balance still exists in the country. This article is the second of a three part series. Read part one here. Fragile Coexistence of Anti-Malian Government Forces in Kidal Strong evidence from the ground suggests that currently, the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA) may be in control of Kidal but had been unsuccessful in asserting their full authority. Many other elements are present in the region including MIA and Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). Attacks against MNLA checkpoints by the Movement for Oneness and Jihad in West Africa (MOJWA) back in April, and the latest full scale...
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360° Analysis / Anti-US sentiments / Barack Obama Second Presidential Term / Politics / United States / US Drone Warfare / US Foreign Policy in Afghanistan and Pakistan / US Security Policy / War on terror / Global Security / AsiaFor peace to have any prospects, the Obama administration has no option but to engage closely with Afghanistan and Pakistan. The US was in an unprecedented foreign policy crisis when Barack Obama first took office in January 2009 due to its military engagements in two of the modern history’s longest and costliest wars: the Afghanistan War and the Iraq War. Unsatisfactorily ending the latter, the US still continues with its involvement in the AfPak region as part of the on-going War on Terror. Obama: Merely a Politician? Re-elected to the Oval Office in 2012, President Obama has a second chance to redeem his legacy in the volatile region torn by war and terrorism. The US foreign policy...
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360° Analysis / Abullah Gul / Ba'athism / Bashar Al-Assad / Free Syrian Army / Hafez Al-Assad / Ottoman Empire / Politics / Syria / Syrian Civil War / Syrian National Council / Turkey / Turkmen community / Western Kurdistan / Middle East / Global SecurityThe Turkmen community in Syria is becoming increasingly active in the struggle against Bashar al-Assad’s regime. Nicholas A. Heras analyzes the minority’s history in Syria and its current position in the Syrian opposition. [Note: This article was originally published by The Jamestown Foundation.] Syria’s Turkmen community is becoming increasingly involved in the country’s opposition movement. The mostly Sunni Turkmen of Syria represent a significant ethnic minority that is located throughout the country, particularly in diverse and highly strategic areas that are currently the sites of significant conflict. The Turkmen community is charged by the Assad government of...