Global Security Studies Practicum

1 December 2011 Islamabad, Pakistan- The relationship between the U.S. and Pakistani militaries is deteriorated in results to the NATO airstrikes that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers. Pakistan’s army Chief General Ashfaq Perves Kayani met with U.S. Marine General John Allen , top commander in Afghanistan, immediately after the incident and concluded that Pakistan will withdraw all intelligence sharing with the U.S. and will stop the support offered to defeat the Afghan Taliban. The U.S. Embassy warned U.S. government personnel in Pakistan of possible retaliation against Americans and further precautions should be taken into consideration. President Barack Obama stated during a press conference that a complete termination in the U.S.-Pakistani relationship is unlikely, but the incident is likely to damage relations and his administration will investigate the circumstances of the airstrikes to clarify misunderstandings. According to Afghan officials, U.S. Special Forces located on the Af...

The CNN’s Republican debate on national security issues featured Republican presidential candidate, Jon Huntsman , announcing a “total defeat of the Taliban” despite the ongoing attacks occurring by the Taliban . Jon Huntsman, former Utah governor, expressed his belief on reducing soldier presence in Afghanistan since the United States has “dismantled the Taliban” and run them out of Kabul . However, the Taliban is highly likely to continue terrorist attacks against the United States even though progress has been made against the extremist group. Numerous suicide attacks recently made against the CIA, U.S. embassy, and NATO in Afghanistan are linked to the Taliban and the Haqqani network . International Security Assistance Force, Gen. John Allen, confirms that a vast majority of Taliban leaders did abandon Afghanistan and are choosing to phone in their operational orders from Pakistan . Pakistan ’s safe territory for the Taliban is a threat to the defeat of the extremist group ...

13 November 2011 Kabul- A Taliban -affiliated website published today claims to have leaked a document containing confidential government security plans for a vital meeting of tribal elders in Kabul next week to discuss Afghanistan’s long-term relationship with the United States and possible peace talks. The meeting is due to begin Wednesday and continue for several days, the meeting includes hundreds of community leaders invited from across the country. November 13s alleged leak was interpreted in Kabul as anything from a desperate insurgency resorting to deceitful information to a new sign of Taliban’s heightened ability to provoke confidential evidence from government ministries. The online statement went on to promise further detail which consisted of the original security plans of 28 pages and six pictorial maps recomposed and rewritten for intelligence and policy purposes and will release second, third, 28 th sides of the plan and maps to show validation. NATO’s Intern...

Turkey surprised international observers when it supported rebels in recent uprising in Syria. Turkey is harboring insurgents and political opponents of the Assad's regime as it readies unilateral sanctions against Syria . This signals in shift in supporting the various democratic Arab awakenings throughout the Middle East. Turkey’s chasm with Syria reaffirms its commitment to NATO , who had began to question Turkeys role in the alliance. In the face of the Arab Spring , Turkey is reassess its place in the new realities of the Middle East . Turkey had sought to ought new open new markets  and expand its influence in the region through a policy of non-confrontation with its neighbors. It disavowed democratic preconditions with economic partners like Syria and Iran in the past and this caused friction with NATO. Source :http://www.csmonitor.com/Commentary/Opinion/2011/1103/Turkey-s-bold-about-face-on-Syria Reliability (9) Comments: Turkey’s break from its policy of “zero prob...

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...

Associated Press (Tehran)- Iran has criticized Turkey for allowing NATO to place missile defense systems in Southeast Turkey. President Ahmadinejad of Iran states that the aim of the defense shield is to protect Israel against Iranian missiles in the event of war between Israel and Iran. Earlier in September, Turkey agreed to host NATO’s radar system aimed at countering Iran’s ballistic missiles. However, Turkey claims the missile defense system does not target a specific country and has vowed to block the deal if NATO names Iran as a threat. Turkey is a key Muslim voice in NATO and the missile deployment indicates improving relations with Washington since the 2003 Iraq invasion. Also, Turkey works closely with U.S troops in Iraq and Afghanistan on non-combat roles. Source: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/10/04/ap/middleeast/main20115639.shtml Reliability(9) Comment: Turkey is strategically located between Europe and the Middle East is trying to balance its relationsh...