Global Security Studies Practicum

20 October, 2011' Uyghur students, teachers, and parents protest outside Karamay No. 2 High School after Chinese students took sticks into a classroom and victimized Uyghur students. Authority’s response is that it is a normal occurrence for teenagers to fight. In response, several hundred educational teachers, students, and parents gathered to march to the municipal government building to bring the racial discrimination issue to their door step. Authorities did not allow the march and confined the protest group to school grounds. An official from Karamay municipal education bureau said “ethnicity of the student participants was irrelevant.” “There is no so-called political issue here, no ethnic problem to hook it to.” Dilxat Raxit who is the spokesman for the Munich-based World Uyghur Congress stated that “attacks on Uyghur teens on campuses are very common and that those who retaliate risked being arrested on charges of separatism.” Violence against Uyghurs and retaliation fr...

Vasso Papandreou has vowed to vote against future austerity measures. 20 October 2011 The Greek Parliament approved austerity measures that will very likely ensure they receive an €8billion loan tranche from the European Union and International Monetary Fund . The bill was approved 154 to 144. The narrow margin reflects the predicament of the Greek government. Lenders are demanding cuts to the country’s budget and the public is resisting. Members of the ruling party, PASOK , are also beginning to resist new measures. Vasso Papandreou said, “I will vote in favor, but this is the last time -- I am struggling with my conscience.” The measures passed as workers continue to strike, shutting down many facilities. Reuters reports that unions vow continued stoppages. Banks, schools, and government buildings closed on Thursday. Hospitals ran on limited staff. Comment – Over 100,000 protesters took to the streets on Wednesday in Athens to oppose the new government measures...

17 October 2011 MOGADISHU, SOMALIA- Al-Shabab militants linked to al-Qaida dismantled one of the famine refugee camps near Mogadishu. A doctor described militants dismantled the camp by force, loading 4,300 families in trucks to transport them back to the famine -fled areas. The doctor has also told that the occurrences happened overnight for military reasons and that the families received a package to take home, which contained rice, cooking oil, sugar, and money. Before the occurrence people had witnessed a man distributing aid at the camp the day before, he claimed to represent Ayman al-Zawahiri, an al-Qaida leader. Source: Somali Militants Send Displaced Families back to Famine Zones http://www.voanews.com/english/news/Somali-Militants-Send-Displaced-Families-Back-to-Famine-Zones-131971798.html Reliability:8

An agreement between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and President Ali Abdullah Saleh is close as long as there are guarantees from the Gulf states, European nations and the United States.During a ruling party meeting, President Saleh insists on a timetable for implementing the power transfer plan before an agreement is signed. The proposal from the GCC is to hand power to a government deputy within a months’ time in exchange for immunity from persecution to himself and his government officials.He has consistently vowed not to hand power to long-time rivals from opposition parties as part of the agreement.Diplomats said a draft resolution was circulated to U.N. Security Council members late Tuesday, expressing concern about ongoing violence in Yemen and calling for Saleh to step down. They said most council members appeared to support the draft and were likely to vote on it by early next week. According to Yemeni medics and witnesses an assailant threw a grenade into a market in ...

Baghdad- Turkish military planes entered Iraqi territory last night in pursuit of PKK rebels who had killed 28 Turkish troops in Southeast Turkey. The rebels are part of Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), are fighting for autonomy in Turkey. The rebels attacked Turkish military installations in two cities near the Iraqi border. Turkey retaliated by sending in Helicopter gunships and air force bombers. Istanbul based Dogan news agency reports that 20 Kurdish fighters have died since the counteroffensive by Turkey but the PKK leader disputes that. The government of the semi-autonomous Iraqi Kurdistan disavowed the attacks and called it counterproductive to Kurdish interests. Source : http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/turkey-mounts-counterattack-in-iraq/2011/10/19/gIQANR3wxL_story.html Reliability (9) Comments:   Kurds are minority group in Iraq and Turkish and have clamored for independence for decades. Kurds inhabit Southeast Turkey and Northern Iraq and the region is s...

16 October 2011 RABAT, Morocco- Many experts around the world are saying that Freelance jihadism is one of the “greatest dangers” facing the world today. Al-Qaida , in multiple attempts has tried to penetrate Morocco, security forces and tightly guarded borders have prevented this from happening. Armed forces are now focused on preventing impersonating attacks by Lone-wolf organizations. Small homegrown cells have been evolving in countries like Morocco and Egypt that have ties to Al-Qaida. Mohammed Darif, an expert on political Islam and extremist movements said, "It is not al-Qaida that is looking to set itself up in Morocco, what we have is Moroccans looking to join the ranks of al-Qaida, there is a big difference." On Sept. 20, someone issued an open call for "lone wolf" attacks in Morocco, sparking discussions on setting fires and bombings . As post-9/11 surveillance routinely busts up organized cells and terror networks, these self-styl...

Cairo- The Cairo Criminal Court has sentenced fugitive policeman Mohamed Abdel Moneim to ten years in prison for killing demonstrators during the Catholic rally last week. This is the fourth sentence against Moneim, which include two of which are the death penalty and the other life imprisonment . He claims he is the governments’ scapegoat for the incident. Officials accuse Moneim of shooting protesters outside of Zawya al-Hamra police station in Cairo on 28 January. Since these accusations, Moneim has been in hiding and his lawyer claims he did not have live bullets on the day in question. In addition, Moneim’s lawyer states that snipers on the roof of the police station carried out the killing of demonstrators. Officials accuse Major General Saeed Hussein Moussa of destroying CDs that implicate Interior Ministry figures in the killing of demonstrators. Moussa’s case is on hold until December. During court hearings on the killing of demonstrators in Alexandria , families of the v...

19 October 2011 The recent prisoner swap has shown the ability for both Israel and Hamas to compromise.   This event will test the fortitude that each has in a long list of goals to accomplish.   Most importantly, it pushes the boundaries on either’s desire for a peace negotiation.   Both sides show their skills and negotiating power with the help of Egyptians and Germans.   The Israelis had to relax their own rules to accomplish such a difficult feat of having Shalit released.   Israel had exhausted all means in searching for Shalit.   Despite using technology to locate Shalit , human negotiations superseded the mechanical abilities.   The release of the prisoners could aid in the argument for Palestine statehood .   The swap shows that there is potential for Palestine and Israel to engage is peace negotiations but reaching that next level takes time and patience from both sides.   Reliability:   9 Source:   Hamas and Isra...

19 October 2011 The first woman tied to al-Qaeda requests the court more time to prove her innocence. The Saudi woman nicknamed “Lady al-Qaeda” holds 18 terrorism related charges against her. The charges include being a member of al-Qaeda, recruitment of new members, providing shelter, acquisition of firearms, forging identity cards, financial support, etc. She proclaims her innocence and views herself as a victim of her two previous husbands who both had connections to al-Qaeda. Her arrest happened last year on Feb. 20 and hearings are scheduled on October 29 of this year. Source: http://www.albawaba.com/editorchoice/behind-every-terrorist-woman-%E2%80%98lady-al-qaeda-did-more-hr-work-darning-socks-397603 Reliability: 8

16 October 2011 BANGKOK, THAILAND – Thailand has been facing some of the worst flooding that the country has seen in over a decade. In the Thailand capital of Bangkok , a city of over 9 million inhabitants, officials and residents have been on alert and have barricaded the city with sandbags and other materials in order to protect from catastrophic flooding. Outside of the capital, officials are reporting of thousands of displaced residents who are fighting for survival, as their villages lay partially submerged under the heavy flooding. The Thai military has already been called to aid residents of the city of Aytthaya , as the area is among the hardest hit and residents had to be rescued from the roof tops of their homes. Among other worries of officials is the fact that Thailand has been experiencing tides that are higher than usual, which is causing the flood run off to resceed much slower into the Chao Phraya River . Officials believe that the capital of B...

19 October 2011 Pakistan’s government appears less willing than ever to challenge insurgent groups and is more inclined to make peace with them. Pakistani officials have rejected the notion of robust military action against insurgents based in its tribal belt . The approach has puzzled U.S. officials and renewed debate in Pakistan about how to handle individuals who have killed thousands in attacks. Much still remains unclear about the potential for peacemaking, including which militant groups would be included. Pakistan views the Pakistani Taliban as an offshoot of the Afghan movement, as splintered enough to be open to peace deals mediated through tribal elders or clerics. The United States is supporting a similar approach in Afghanistan. Source : http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/war-zones/pakistan-leans-toward-talks-with-taliban/2011/10/14/gIQAq3PjpL_story.html Reliability : 8

19 October 2011 Early Wednesday morning, 24 soldiers were killed and 18 injured in southeastern Turkey. Rockets were launched at security forces and military sites in the town of Cukurca . Official with the provincial governor's office and Turkish President Abdullah Gul blames this incident as an act of terrorism. Gal states; "Our determination is certain. Those who think that democratic improvements in Turkey are achieved as a result of terrorism are making a big mistake. It is our decision to continue the struggle against terrorism without giving any concessions." The government has yet to confirm who they believe is responsible for the attack, presently there is tension amongst the government and elements of the country's minorities. Two weeks prior to the incident, lawmakers voted on extending authorization for the Turkish military to carry out cross border attacks against Kurdish rebels in northern Iraq. The Kurdish Peace and Democracy party are in dire need t...

13 October, 2011 Refugee Uyghur’s are afraid to return to China. The pressure from the Netherlands on Uyghur’s to return is intense. Uyghurs who apply for asylum in this country have their applications denied more than once. Their biggest fear is that if forced to return to China they will encounter prosecution from Chinese government or worst vanish like many other Uyghur refugees. One refugee claims he’s afraid to go back because he doesn’t want to be tortured by Chinese police. As of now Uyghur’s are divided into two camps. The open camp has no restriction amongst Uyghur’s but the closed camp is for those who are forced to return to China. A Netherlands based translator reports that currently there are more people living in the closed camp. Source: http://www.unpo.org/article/13328 (Reliability: 9)

Six suspected militants are dead from two U.S drone attacks in the Afghanistan and Pakistan border. During the first attack, a senior Obama administration official confirmed the death of 3 rd in command ranking member of the Haqqani Network , Janbaz Zadran , and described the effort as “the most senior Haqqani leader in Pakistan to be taken off the battlefield.” Pakistani intelligence sources also informed that Janbaz was in charge of communications for the Haqqani network and helped coordinate special operations against the U.S and coalition targets in Kabul and southeastern Afghanistan. Also killed during the second attack were three suspected militants located at a compound in Zeba Pahar, northwest of Pakistan. Militants used this compound to fire missiles against the NATO and Afghan National Army forces. Source: Suspected U.S. Drone Kills Six in Pakistan http://articles.cnn.com/2011-10-13/asia/world_asia_pakistan-drone_1_haqqani-network-drone-attacks-sirajuddin-haqqani?_s=PM:A...

17 October 2011 Sana, Yemen – Violent clashes increase between government and opposition forces after a fight broke out on Sunday night in Sana, Yemen’s capital. Protesters have been marching since February and recently escalated their demonstrations by marching into government strongholds where pro-government forces have targeted them with mortar and machine guns, killing 21 individuals so far. In March, troops loyal to the rebel commander, Maj. Gen. Ali Mohsin al-Ahmar, joined the demonstrators to offer protection after government snipers killed more than 50 unarmed protesters. This strategy has given the government more rationale to attack especially after Saleh commented that the soldiers contradict the protesters’ claim to be peaceful. The United Nations Security Council met to develop and agree on a resolution after Saleh accused Western leaders of not understanding the current crisis. The Security Council may vote this week and agree with the Gulf Cooperation Council proposa...

Strikes in Athens have prevented public services such as waste removal from functioning . 18 October 2011 ATHENS, GREECE – Unions representing approximately half of the 4 million people in the Greek workforce will strike Wednesday and Thursday to protest a new package of austerity measures. Parliament is likely to pass the measures this week. PrimeMinister George Papandreou has stated the package must pass to allow Greece to emerge from the financial crisis. Two PASOK deputies will very likely vote against the package, but it is still likely to pass. The new strikes are in addition to several independent ongoing strikes. The strike will almost certainly prevent normal business operations in Athens for 48 hours. Comment -- The bill includes tax hikes, wage cuts, public sector layoffs and changes to collective bargaining rules. It is likely to be passed Wednesday or Thursday. Greece's public debt is currently 162 percent of the country's GDP . Source: ...

18 October 2011 Leopoldo Lopez speaks during a news conference. Reuters ( CARACAS ) – Venezuela ’s Supreme Court ruled against opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez on 18 October, blocking him from running in the 2012 presidential elections. The ruling follows an opposite verdict by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACHR) on September 2011, allowing Lopez to run for president and dismissing charges of corruption and mishandling of public funds claimed by the Chavez administration. Despite the ruling by Venezuela's Court, Lopez said he will remain in the race against Hugo Chavez. Source:  http://news.yahoo.com/venezuela-blocks-chavez-rivals-presidential.html (Reliability: 9) Comment: The decision by Venezuela ’s Supreme Court is not surprising given how the Chavez administration dismissed past rulings by the IACHR. Lopez is a leading contender in the upcoming opposition’s presidential primary slated for 12 February, when a single unity candidate will be chose...

The Financial Times (Islamabad) - Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Nato’s secretary-general, encouraged the West to continue work closely with Pakistan. Rasmussen’s statements follow recent claims by the US that Pakistan’s intelligence agency is assisting Islamist insurgents fighting allied troops in Afghanistan. According to Rasmussen, cooperation with Pakistan is the only way to combat the Haqqani network. US expectations of Pakistani forces taking a stance against the Haqqani network based in North Waziristan remain low. According to the Pakistani army, existing efforts to clear militants along the Afghanistan border will not allow them to launch new and domestically unpopular operations. Pakistan claimed that the US has failed to understand the complexity of the alliances and threats in the tribal region. Analyst view the Haqqani network as a key proxy for Pakistan in its attempt to control the territory in the Pashtun belt of southern Afghanistan. Source : http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/...

17 OCTOBER 2011 The Guardian (London)--The kidnappings of aid workers and tourists, torrential rains, and dangerously low agency funds are hampering relief efforts in the Horn of Africa. Medecins sans Frontieres (M SF) evacuated part of its team working in Dagahaley and Ifo, mostly in result of the kidnapping of two Spanish MSF women, and the shooting of their driver. Consequently, MSF's work has been hindered in the camp, where it has tackled severe malnutrition and disease. Recent heavy rains in Mogadishu have swept away makeshift camps around the capital. A deluge of rain flooded the shelters of roughly 2,800 people in the Sigale camp, sweeping away at least two children, and killing a pregnant woman. The Disasters Emergency Comm itt ee (DEC) has said that despite raising the third highest total in its history, there was still a shortage of funds to deal with the scale of the problems in the region. In conjunction, Save the Children is still appealing $100m to fund the emerg...