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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By Mahmoud AyadIn a response to Iran Observer, a previous contributor to Fair Observer, Shayan Arkian and Mahmoud Ayad argue to dispel notions of pure idealism, religiosity, and military/nuclear ambitions in Iran. On February 27, 2012 an anonymous author wrote an article named “Why Iran Wants the Bomb: An Iranian Perspective”, featured on Fair Observer. Presented as “someone with an intimate knowledge of Iran”, the author espouses understanding of the Iranian perspective in order to elucidate Iran’s behaviour regarding its nuclear program. Unfortunately, two major errors degrade the author’s analysis: first a stark misconception of the very basic rationale of the...
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By Richard A. Bitzinger China’s new defence budget – particularly given the sizable and growing funding it dedicates to military R&D and procurement – demonstrates Beijing’s continuing resolve to gain military power commensurate with its growing soft power. In early March, China released its defence budget for 2012, which broke the symbolic $100bn barrier for the first time. In fact, Chinese military expenditures will total $106.4bn (S$134bn), an increase of 11.2% over 2011 – and this does not include possible hidden spending, which could add billions of dollars per year to the Chinese defence budget. No other country, save the United States, is in triple-...
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After appraising the milieu of the recent coalition Paris meeting regarding the Syrian humanitarian crisis, Laurenti argues that “the layering in of international military monitors, including some from Russia and China, plus a large humanitarian relief operation… “are the most efficacious policy options moving forward”. The Paris meeting this month of the international coalition supporting the ouster of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, sent a clear message to Russia, his chief defender in the United Nations Security Council: We are not wedded to Kofi Annan’s peace mission, and if you can’t put the leash on Syria’s attack dogs, we are ready to up...
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By Trita ParsiStemming from its fears of an amending Iran-US relationship, Israel has mischaracterized the recent P5+1 talks as a failure for western interests. In reality, there are hopeful signs of progress towards a peaceful resolution of the potentially dangerous situation, says Trita Parsi. Netanyahu and Obama are at it again. The hardline Israeli Prime Minister, standing next to Senator Joe Lieberman, accused Obama of having given Iran a “freebie” during the Istanbul talks this month. Iran can continue to enrich uranium “without any limitation” for another five weeks, Netanyahu charged. Nothing could be further from the truth, Obama shot back moments later from the other...
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Analysis on the US-India relationship with regard to Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India’s own nuclear ambitions. Pragmatic thinking supports the government’s inclination to bring India and the US closer, though not at the cost of becoming subservient to the latter. This is the second in a series of three articles. Read part 1 here. Recent Developments in Iran Developments relating to Iran illustrate the kind of problems India can be confronted with if certain expectations of India-US congruence in policies are raised with an expanded defence relationship. India has no reason to support either US military action against Iran or Iran’s economic strangulation. Even on the...
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Whether deemed acceptable or not, the idea of including the Taliban in any settlement and international exit strategy in Afghanistan is much more the outcome of a fait accompli on the grounds than of long-term diplomacy. Beyond the Mubarak mosque in Kandahar, the historic capital of Afghanistan, is a shrine with a silver coffer that contains a cloak which, according to tradition, once belonged to the Prophet Muhammad. There is a story that in spring of 1996, in the Islamic year 1416, Mullah Omar, the legendary and mysterious leader of the Taliban, got access to the cloak, brought it to a mosque in the city centre, and donned it in front of an ecstatic crowd of followers. The privilege to...
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The Coming 5+1 Talks with Iran presents an opportunity to begin a resolution of the already cooling Iran nuclear situation. Despite the hope, domestic and global obstacles remain that can derail the situation at any point in the negotiations. With an opportunity to help ameliorate these obstacles coming up soon in Istanbul, will the BRICS come to the rescue? The winter months saw the controversy over Iran’s nuclear programme become dangerously heated. Western media were encouraged to interpret recent International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) findings as proof that Iran is bent on making nuclear weapons, despite the assessment of the US intelligence community remaining that a weapons...
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The success of Kofi Annan’s mediatory efforts in Syria is far from guaranteed, and cooperation by both the regime and the rebels is essential if Syria is to return to stability. Easter Sunday seemed to mark a resurrection of sorts in Syria – a resurrection of the fang-baring, take-no-prisoners ferocity that has dominated the Syrian government’s response to opponents, whether peaceful or armed. As fighting intensifies on the eve of the declared deadline for troop withdrawals and a ceasefire, it is international mediator Kofi Annan’s proposed peace process that many see at risk of burial. President Bashar al-Assad assured Annan that his security forces would dial...
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By Ari KatzA summary of the Iranian nuclear crisis. As the US begins to draw down its hard Middle East presence and pivots to Asia, Iran’s alleged pursuit of nuclear weapons continues to be perceived as one of the most salient global issues. This complex saga can only be understood within a historical context, coupled with an awareness of the US response to an increasingly independent Iran. In 1953, the US-instigated coup of the democratically elected Iranian nationalist Mohammad Mossadeq sowed resentment that, scholars claim, facilitated the later 1979 Islamic Revolution. Following the coup and throughout the height of the Cold War, the US re-installed and sustained the rule of king and...
