COUNTRY REVIEWS

South Asia

Afghanistan

• Three NATO troops killed by gunman in Helmand province

Pakistan

• India Pakistan Foreign Ministers talks postponed; Kayani expresses concern over border incursions; China and Pakistan actively cooperating in space technology

East Asia

China

• Chinese military wants to strengthen ties with the United States; China congratulates newly elected Egyptian President Morsi; China-Argentina to improve relations; China Brazil to improves ties; China-Singapore to enhance military contacts; China-Bhutan to establish diplomatic relations; Beijing-New Delhi to improve bilateral relations; Beijing urges Vietnam to correct the maritime law; Need to fight corruption within the Party

Japan
(June 18-24)

• Japanese Diet passes bill to set up a new nuclear agency; Japan to provide six billion dollars in ODA over next three years from 2013 to help developing countries

(June 25-July 1)

• Japan inks a defence deal with the US on F-35 fighter jets

South Korea
(June 18-24)

• US and South Korea conducted largest ever live-fire drill to mark 62nd anniversary of the Korean War

(June 25-July 1)

• South Korea postpones signing of the GSMIA with Japan; South Korean President hopeful about the prospects of the proposed South Korea-Colombia FTA

West Asia

Iran

• Iran, Afghanistan discuss pipeline construction; Karbala highway to link Iran, Iraq, Syria; Iran to reconsider ties with S. Korea if oil import suspended; Iran cutting off dependency on foreign oil firms; China stresses unacceptability of unilateral sanctions

Syria

• Russia warns against Syrian regime to avoid full-scale war; Turkey consults with NATO over downed plane; Syrian army defectors claim FSA controls 60 per cent of Syrian territory; Russia urges strengthening of UN observer mission in Syria; China reiterates support for political resolution to crisis

Israel

• Israeli Deputy Premier urges Palestinians to drop preconditions to peace talks

Jordan

• Jordan steps up border security to prevent “infiltration” from Syria

Israel/Palastine

• Israel asked to cooperate with neighbours to ensure peace; Palestinian National Authority urges international intervention; Israeli MPs criticise government over protest clashes; Ulpana outpost relocation ends peacefully

Africa

• Rebels attack French Uranium plant in Central African republic; US expands military aid and intelligence to Africa; Cairo court sentences ex-minister over Israel gas deal; UN Security Council endorses regional strategy to combat LRA threat; Egypt seizes weapons smuggled from Libya; IDB to finance $1 bn for Egyptian energy and food imports; Nearly 47 killed in tribal clashes in Libya

INTERNAL SECURITY REVIEW

Jammu & Kashmir

• Dastgeer Sahab shrine gutted in Srinagar; Kashmir shuts in mourning; Normalcy returns in the valley; Militant killed and a soldier injured in an encounter

North East India

• Government may allow pro-talk ULFA to meet Anup Chetia; Assam flood situation remains grim; Many issues discussed during talks with Pro-talk group of ULFA ; Two militants held in Assam